Friday turned out to be a very difficult day. My district layed off ~115 teachers, including 17 ITS (my job). It was hard to hear my friend's say they got the phone call and had to go in immediately only to find out they have been layed off. I left work feeling sad and sick to my stomach. I am thankful I (so far) have made it through the cuts, but it was definately a reality check of times and how terrible they are. Saddening...
Please pray for our district as well as districts across the state and nation. These are tough times as state and federal governments continue to cut funds to our public schools leaving our teachers and students without...teachers w/o a job and students without the education they once knew as we make cuts to various departments.
Ryan and I, too, have begun to make cuts. We are in the process of selling some horses and try to simplify. We have put in a larger garden with the hopes of canning and freezing food for the upcoming winter. It will help if we can eliminate some grocery costs.
We are also in the process of selling our rent house. Our renters are looking into getting a morgage, so we hope to take that off our plates as well! We'll know5 more in a few weeks, but we are hopful as it benefits us and our renters. THey are wonderful people and we were so blessed they found us and our rent house. It took a few renters and some really hard times, but it was worth the wait. God's plan is always better, we just can't always see it until later on. This rent house as taught me that to be the case.
Well shelby wants to snuggle ans watch a video so i am signing off.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Badger is 3rd in 1D
I am so proud of Badger! He is currently in the 1D standings for NBHA TX 34. I know most of you, if not all of you, are not barrel racers and probably don't get the whole 1D, 2D, etc thing...just know this is a REALLY big accomplishment for both of us! I am so, so, so proud of him and honored that he works so hard for me. :)
1st place has 14 pts, 2nd has 9 and we have 7 points.
To briefly explain, 1D is the fastest division of the divisions and it's more for the elite horses. It is a tough place to be, espcially for where we live. So, I am very, very proud of him. :)
In other horse news, I have begun working Shiner to the left. He was having some issues and it was getting to be too difficult to change so we changed to a new direction, literally. Most horses go to the right barrel first and then left, but there are a few that just work better the opposite way. It is much like a person who is right handed vs. left handed...only the opposite for horses. There are more left handed horses than right.
Anyhow, I worked him for the first time that way on Saturday and I hope to get some time this week to work him some more before Sunday's race. If not, it might be interesting! HAHA
Cowgirl, my little mare, is doing well too. I decided to put a tie down on her Saturday. I think it will benefit us, but I am not sure yet. So, we'll see...
Both of these horses (Cowgirl and Shiner) are for sale. I will be sad to see them go. It may take a while to sell them, though, since times are so tough right now.
Shelby continues to grow everyday and talk even more. Today I had a good 5 minute conversation with her on the way home from work. She talked the whole time. It was very cute! She so enjoys going on trips. It doesn't matter where...grocery store, friends house, arenas...it's all good as long as it includes a ride in the truck. haha
1st place has 14 pts, 2nd has 9 and we have 7 points.
To briefly explain, 1D is the fastest division of the divisions and it's more for the elite horses. It is a tough place to be, espcially for where we live. So, I am very, very proud of him. :)
In other horse news, I have begun working Shiner to the left. He was having some issues and it was getting to be too difficult to change so we changed to a new direction, literally. Most horses go to the right barrel first and then left, but there are a few that just work better the opposite way. It is much like a person who is right handed vs. left handed...only the opposite for horses. There are more left handed horses than right.
Anyhow, I worked him for the first time that way on Saturday and I hope to get some time this week to work him some more before Sunday's race. If not, it might be interesting! HAHA
Cowgirl, my little mare, is doing well too. I decided to put a tie down on her Saturday. I think it will benefit us, but I am not sure yet. So, we'll see...
Both of these horses (Cowgirl and Shiner) are for sale. I will be sad to see them go. It may take a while to sell them, though, since times are so tough right now.
Shelby continues to grow everyday and talk even more. Today I had a good 5 minute conversation with her on the way home from work. She talked the whole time. It was very cute! She so enjoys going on trips. It doesn't matter where...grocery store, friends house, arenas...it's all good as long as it includes a ride in the truck. haha
Monday, March 21, 2011
Spring Break - Fun & Sun!
We had a fun, but very BUSY spring break last week. Shelby and I spend the beginning of the week enjoying our free time and shopping. Shelby definately takes after her Aunt Shelly (my sister) and her cousin, Heather (Ryan's cousin). She LOVED shopping and looking at everything! All I heard was "Come on Momma" as she raced around the store and looked at all the 'pretties' (aka jewelry, shoes, etc) She has a very girly side to her. :) She loves to wear dresses, pretty shoes, and jewelry. So, she had a great time as I let her dress up each day while on vacation.
On Wednesday, I left in the morning to do some shoppign with a co-worker/friend. We went to the mall, enjoyed a good lunch, and then went to Sear's Outlet mall by the Hobby airport in Houston to shop for a dishwasher. Fortunately, I had done a little research and was able to quickly find the one I wanted. The best part was I got it 40% off because of some TINY little dent in the front that I have to look for everytime I try to find it. :)
Finding the dishwasher proved to be the easy part. Our 'easy' switching of dishwashers proved to be a bit more challenging as we discovered we didn't have all the parts and we had to turn the water off to the house for the evening. hahaha...BUT we got it in the next day after some use with a saw and wrenches. We did it ourselves! That's a big deal for Ryan and me.
Shelly, my sister, flew in on Wednesday night to spend the rest of the week with us. We hung out on the house on Thursday during the day, but went to the George Ranch to ride in the evening. Shelly got to ride Badger. She hadn't been on a horse in 20+ years (I think it's been a lot longer, but we couldn't remember). She did a few laps around and then got off for fear of being too sore to enjoy the rest of her vacation. I thought she was smart for doing that. :)
Friday we hung out around the house dealing with the dishwasher issue and then left around 2 pm to go to Rodeo Houston. We had a great time eating good food, looking at all the stuff and then the rodeo and concert in the evening. I hadn't seen Allan Jackson so it was great seeing him in concert.
Saturday and Sunday was a day filled with basking in the sun and a barrel race. My horses worked REALLY well on Saturday! Badger was just out of the money in the 1D. I was soooo proudof him! Shiner was in the middle of the 2D which was great too as he was in the 4D the week before. He took off a second and a half in one week. Impressive!
Sunday, we went to church and then Shelly, Shelby and I headed back to the barrel race to run again. Again, Badger was JUST out of the 1D money. Shiner did well on the 1st and 2nd barrrel, but we had a terrible 3rd barrel and lost way too much time. He would've been at the top of the 1D if it wasn't for that.
Sunday night we rested around the house and chilled out outside watering the garden and playing with the dogs. We then went in and rested while we looked at the pictures from our exciting week together.
This morning, I took Shelly back to the airport. A sad good bye as I miss seeing her and spending time with her. I am so glad she made it down for a visit! I look forward to a visit with her again next year. Ron said he's not missing out next year. hahaha...So, hopefully the two of them will be able to join us for a nice visit next spring.
Shelly took a TON of pictures with her really nice camera as well as some great videos. Here are a few of my favorites.
My horses (left to right - Shiner, Cowgirl, Badger) at the George Ranch on Thursday night.
A view of Houston from top of the Reliant Center (where the Houston Texans play and Rodeo Houston)
The rodeo is getting started at the Reliant Center.
Ryan & Shelby waiting on Mommy to kick some butt in the arena.
Shelby skyping with Aunt Michelle Boudrie and Grandma Boudrie
On Wednesday, I left in the morning to do some shoppign with a co-worker/friend. We went to the mall, enjoyed a good lunch, and then went to Sear's Outlet mall by the Hobby airport in Houston to shop for a dishwasher. Fortunately, I had done a little research and was able to quickly find the one I wanted. The best part was I got it 40% off because of some TINY little dent in the front that I have to look for everytime I try to find it. :)
Finding the dishwasher proved to be the easy part. Our 'easy' switching of dishwashers proved to be a bit more challenging as we discovered we didn't have all the parts and we had to turn the water off to the house for the evening. hahaha...BUT we got it in the next day after some use with a saw and wrenches. We did it ourselves! That's a big deal for Ryan and me.
Shelly, my sister, flew in on Wednesday night to spend the rest of the week with us. We hung out on the house on Thursday during the day, but went to the George Ranch to ride in the evening. Shelly got to ride Badger. She hadn't been on a horse in 20+ years (I think it's been a lot longer, but we couldn't remember). She did a few laps around and then got off for fear of being too sore to enjoy the rest of her vacation. I thought she was smart for doing that. :)
Friday we hung out around the house dealing with the dishwasher issue and then left around 2 pm to go to Rodeo Houston. We had a great time eating good food, looking at all the stuff and then the rodeo and concert in the evening. I hadn't seen Allan Jackson so it was great seeing him in concert.
Saturday and Sunday was a day filled with basking in the sun and a barrel race. My horses worked REALLY well on Saturday! Badger was just out of the money in the 1D. I was soooo proudof him! Shiner was in the middle of the 2D which was great too as he was in the 4D the week before. He took off a second and a half in one week. Impressive!
Sunday, we went to church and then Shelly, Shelby and I headed back to the barrel race to run again. Again, Badger was JUST out of the 1D money. Shiner did well on the 1st and 2nd barrrel, but we had a terrible 3rd barrel and lost way too much time. He would've been at the top of the 1D if it wasn't for that.
Sunday night we rested around the house and chilled out outside watering the garden and playing with the dogs. We then went in and rested while we looked at the pictures from our exciting week together.
This morning, I took Shelly back to the airport. A sad good bye as I miss seeing her and spending time with her. I am so glad she made it down for a visit! I look forward to a visit with her again next year. Ron said he's not missing out next year. hahaha...So, hopefully the two of them will be able to join us for a nice visit next spring.
Shelly took a TON of pictures with her really nice camera as well as some great videos. Here are a few of my favorites.
My horses (left to right - Shiner, Cowgirl, Badger) at the George Ranch on Thursday night.
A view of Rodeo Houston
A view of Houston from top of the Reliant Center (where the Houston Texans play and Rodeo Houston)
The rodeo is getting started at the Reliant Center.
Allan Jackson signing
Ryan & Shelby waiting on Mommy to kick some butt in the arena.
Shelby skyping with Aunt Michelle Boudrie and Grandma Boudrie
Shelly and Shelby - what a great shot!
Shelby looking cute!
Shelby waiting on Mommy to run at the arena.
Showing of her 'cuteness'
Monday, March 7, 2011
Busy Weekend
This weekend was fun and the weather was fabulous!!! Friday, Ryan and some of his friends set out to the fields and pastures around our area for a hog hunting tournament. They started out strong getting 4 hogs within the first 15 hours, but didn't have much luck after that. The weather changed from warm to cold and yucky and then sunny and windy. That probably had something to do it with it. It was a long weekend for Ryan, but they made it through and although they didn't win anything they still provided some hogs to feed the hungry. (This tournament donates all hogs to feed the hungry.)
Shelby and I went to one of my BFF's houses on Friday evening. We ate and hung out and enjoyed good friends til she got tired and we had to go home. I then enjoyed a peaceful evening to myself. On Saturday I had a barrel race in Wharton. I was going to take two horses, but with the funky weather and Shiner was being really squirrely I decided to only run one horse. Badger and I have been missing the first barrel and clocking 2/10ths or so slower than we should. So, I decided to exhibition him. (practice run) The exhibitions did not go well and I was frustrated, but manage to shake it off. I told myself to bad exhibition runs meant one good open run. I was right! Badger and I nailed the first and we had really nice 2nd and 3rd turns. I was thrilled to have such a smooth run. We clocked better than I thought we would. That's how smooth it was! The competition was tough and we still were at the bottom of the 1D. No money, but we are on our A game again. I'll take that!
I was looking on line and found this for NBHA (one of the circuits I run)...and feel pretty good about it. 1D horses are the fastest horses and look where we are sitting! If we hadn't hit the barrel last time, perhaps we would've had even more points....
Shelby and I went to one of my BFF's houses on Friday evening. We ate and hung out and enjoyed good friends til she got tired and we had to go home. I then enjoyed a peaceful evening to myself. On Saturday I had a barrel race in Wharton. I was going to take two horses, but with the funky weather and Shiner was being really squirrely I decided to only run one horse. Badger and I have been missing the first barrel and clocking 2/10ths or so slower than we should. So, I decided to exhibition him. (practice run) The exhibitions did not go well and I was frustrated, but manage to shake it off. I told myself to bad exhibition runs meant one good open run. I was right! Badger and I nailed the first and we had really nice 2nd and 3rd turns. I was thrilled to have such a smooth run. We clocked better than I thought we would. That's how smooth it was! The competition was tough and we still were at the bottom of the 1D. No money, but we are on our A game again. I'll take that!
I was looking on line and found this for NBHA (one of the circuits I run)...and feel pretty good about it. 1D horses are the fastest horses and look where we are sitting! If we hadn't hit the barrel last time, perhaps we would've had even more points....
We'll take it! :)
This week is my last week before Spring Break and I am sooooo ready for it! I'm at the school w/less students so hopefully it won't be too busy. I have some projects planned to do w/the teachers and I'm excited to do that...
Next week will busy with all the things on my 'to do' list and my big sis, Shelly coming to visit me. It's her first time flying and coming to see me in TX! We both are super excited! We are going to go to the Houston Rodeo and hit two barrel races the weekend she is here. Poor girl! She can't wait to play with Shelby and give her all the shoes she found. Shelby and Shelly share a bond with shoes. hehehe....
Friday, March 4, 2011
High Fever + 5 Days = Long Week
Shelby started getting warm on Sunday. By Monday she had a high fever and it has been with us all week. SO, Ryan and I have been swamping out 1/2 days with work to go home and take care of her. Then, Wednesday he took the whole day off and I took all day off yesterday. I am hopeful today we'll be back to normal.
Lucky for us it was just a high fever and Motrin did the job of keeping it under control. Shelby did the best she could with being sick and really struggle understanding why she felt the way she was. Poor thing, I had to explain she was sick and this is what it felt like.
By Wednesday she started feeling better, even though she had a fever. SHe was asking to see her daycare friends and care takers. Ryan and I are just not that exciting. Yesterday, I had to go to town for my work evaluation and on the way she would cover her eyes for a few seconds then uncover them and say "Ms. Kat, where are you?" LOL That's one of her daycare teachers.
Hopefully she'll get to go back today.
Last weekend we had our big Barrel Bang fundraiser for the Rodeo Sweethearts. We raised $1753 for the youth. So, yea for us! I was in charge of it so it was a long, gruling day along with the week before as I took in pre exhibitions and entries. It was a big success, so I was very happy!
THis weekend Ryan decided yesterday to go to a hog hunting tournament. Kinda sucks he decided last minute, but we'll make it work. He'll be gone basically all weekend which leaves me on my own with horses and a toddler at a barrel race. Thank GOD for my wonderful friends at the barrel race. They help by taking care of her so I can run my horses.
Time to eat breakfast and get on my way to work. I'm sure I got plenty waiting for me from being out yesterday. I am thankful I can check my email messages from home. THat helps keep them under control. I get 100+ daily.
Have a good weekend!
Lucky for us it was just a high fever and Motrin did the job of keeping it under control. Shelby did the best she could with being sick and really struggle understanding why she felt the way she was. Poor thing, I had to explain she was sick and this is what it felt like.
By Wednesday she started feeling better, even though she had a fever. SHe was asking to see her daycare friends and care takers. Ryan and I are just not that exciting. Yesterday, I had to go to town for my work evaluation and on the way she would cover her eyes for a few seconds then uncover them and say "Ms. Kat, where are you?" LOL That's one of her daycare teachers.
Hopefully she'll get to go back today.
Last weekend we had our big Barrel Bang fundraiser for the Rodeo Sweethearts. We raised $1753 for the youth. So, yea for us! I was in charge of it so it was a long, gruling day along with the week before as I took in pre exhibitions and entries. It was a big success, so I was very happy!
THis weekend Ryan decided yesterday to go to a hog hunting tournament. Kinda sucks he decided last minute, but we'll make it work. He'll be gone basically all weekend which leaves me on my own with horses and a toddler at a barrel race. Thank GOD for my wonderful friends at the barrel race. They help by taking care of her so I can run my horses.
Time to eat breakfast and get on my way to work. I'm sure I got plenty waiting for me from being out yesterday. I am thankful I can check my email messages from home. THat helps keep them under control. I get 100+ daily.
Have a good weekend!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
1 down, 2 to go
We sold a horse this past weekend. We have two more for sale so we hope to sell them in the future as well. One horse, Romeo, will need surgery before we can sell him. He is a stud and his 'goods' never dropped so we have to have surgery to go in there and get them out. I've been calling various vets to get the cost and will plan to do the surgery in the next couple of weeks, but probably over spring break since I'll be off. So far Texas A&M has the best price. A 2 hr drive, but worth it to save so much.
This past weekend was not a good barrel racing weekend. The ground was weird (sticky) and so Badger couldn't work as well as he wanted to. We had an ok time Saturday and hit Sunday. LOTS of people hit the same barrel. I know, because i volunteered to pick up that barrel and got little time to sit. So, something was definately weird about the ground.
This weekend is our big Rodeo Sweetheart fundraiser barrel race. I'm already getting pre-entries so I expect it to be a big race. We have a $1,000 added so that will definately help!
Shelby continues to grow and talk and talk and talk....it is so fun watching her learn and remember so much. She is remembering songs and where she puts things. It's so cool!
Well, time to go to work!
This past weekend was not a good barrel racing weekend. The ground was weird (sticky) and so Badger couldn't work as well as he wanted to. We had an ok time Saturday and hit Sunday. LOTS of people hit the same barrel. I know, because i volunteered to pick up that barrel and got little time to sit. So, something was definately weird about the ground.
This weekend is our big Rodeo Sweetheart fundraiser barrel race. I'm already getting pre-entries so I expect it to be a big race. We have a $1,000 added so that will definately help!
Shelby continues to grow and talk and talk and talk....it is so fun watching her learn and remember so much. She is remembering songs and where she puts things. It's so cool!
Well, time to go to work!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Busy 7 days!
I can't believe it's been a month since I've last posted on this blog. It seems life gets busier and busier and flies by faster each year. Oh, how I miss the days of when I thought summer would never end so I could see my friends again. Now, I long for the days of summer to get here so I can spend them quietly at home with Shelby, Ryan and the horses.
Last week was a VERY busy week for me. I went to Austin Tues - Friday for a technology conference in Austin, TX. It was my VERY first time leaving Shelby for more than just the day. I've never been without her at night. I was very proud of myself on how well I did and how refreshing it was to take that break from reality, even though it was a working break. Luckily for me, TCEA (the conference I attended) is extremely busy. You start your day with an 8 or 9 AM class and go til late into the evening between classes, vendors, and vendor activities after the classes are done.
I always have fun in Austin. It is like the NFR of Texas technology and the night life is just as fun. It's like a big reunion for all us geeks. hahaha....
I then came home (trying to control my speed) to Shelby running and hugging, and hugging and hugging me....I love that! She was glued to me the rest of the weekend.
Saturday Shelby and I went to a barrel race. She was so cute on how she LOVES to play with the other kids and look at all the pretty jewelry they sell. She is addicted to pretty and shiny things. Something that never really interested me, so it's fun seeing her own personality coming out so strongly. So many people love seeing her and spending time with her at the races. It's like a big party for Shelby. Putting her down for a nap can be a challenge because she doesn't want to miss out on anything. Luckily, I was able to get her down for a nap after much struggle about 20 or so minutes before I had to run. Phew!
Badger did really well. In fact, he was at the bottom of the 1D again with tough competition. So, hopefully we'll get some points since we didn't get any money. I put him on some herbs made by Silver Lining Herbs and I have seen such a difference with him. This new one I put him on a few weeks ago has helped him to stay much more focused and he is really running hard. He also seems to have more control of his legs and how he tracks, which helps tremendously with barrel racing.
Ryan went hog hunting for the first time on his own on Saturday as well. He was sooooo excited to have killed his first hog with his own dogs. Our 'puppies', who are about 70 lbs each now, did an awesome job hunting and were very successful. Ryan was so proud of his boys and their natural instinct. Here are a picture of him and the hog they killed.
Sunday, Shelby and I went to church and then we had another barrel race in Rosenberg. This time Ryan was able to join us. The first time I ran Badger the timer didn't work. So, they offered me a re-run. I wasn't going to take it because I had ran him on Saturday and then again on Sunday. Also, there wasn't much recovery time for Badger since I ran towards the end of the race. I also had not been on him that much since I was out of town all week. Anyhow, a friend of mine suggested asking if I could run after the seniors and youth. They let me, so I decided to go ahead and run again. It paid off! Badger was 4th in the 1D! He was the 4th fastest time of the day! The winning time was a 15.7, then there were two 15.8 and then Badger ran a 15.9. Woohoo! So proud of my boy!
We then ate a celebratory dinner at a local mexican restaurant and came home. Then it was back to being a mommy with giving Shelby a bath and getting her settled down for the night. A good way to spend a weekend!
Last week was a VERY busy week for me. I went to Austin Tues - Friday for a technology conference in Austin, TX. It was my VERY first time leaving Shelby for more than just the day. I've never been without her at night. I was very proud of myself on how well I did and how refreshing it was to take that break from reality, even though it was a working break. Luckily for me, TCEA (the conference I attended) is extremely busy. You start your day with an 8 or 9 AM class and go til late into the evening between classes, vendors, and vendor activities after the classes are done.
I always have fun in Austin. It is like the NFR of Texas technology and the night life is just as fun. It's like a big reunion for all us geeks. hahaha....
I then came home (trying to control my speed) to Shelby running and hugging, and hugging and hugging me....I love that! She was glued to me the rest of the weekend.
Saturday Shelby and I went to a barrel race. She was so cute on how she LOVES to play with the other kids and look at all the pretty jewelry they sell. She is addicted to pretty and shiny things. Something that never really interested me, so it's fun seeing her own personality coming out so strongly. So many people love seeing her and spending time with her at the races. It's like a big party for Shelby. Putting her down for a nap can be a challenge because she doesn't want to miss out on anything. Luckily, I was able to get her down for a nap after much struggle about 20 or so minutes before I had to run. Phew!
Badger did really well. In fact, he was at the bottom of the 1D again with tough competition. So, hopefully we'll get some points since we didn't get any money. I put him on some herbs made by Silver Lining Herbs and I have seen such a difference with him. This new one I put him on a few weeks ago has helped him to stay much more focused and he is really running hard. He also seems to have more control of his legs and how he tracks, which helps tremendously with barrel racing.
Ryan went hog hunting for the first time on his own on Saturday as well. He was sooooo excited to have killed his first hog with his own dogs. Our 'puppies', who are about 70 lbs each now, did an awesome job hunting and were very successful. Ryan was so proud of his boys and their natural instinct. Here are a picture of him and the hog they killed.
Sunday, Shelby and I went to church and then we had another barrel race in Rosenberg. This time Ryan was able to join us. The first time I ran Badger the timer didn't work. So, they offered me a re-run. I wasn't going to take it because I had ran him on Saturday and then again on Sunday. Also, there wasn't much recovery time for Badger since I ran towards the end of the race. I also had not been on him that much since I was out of town all week. Anyhow, a friend of mine suggested asking if I could run after the seniors and youth. They let me, so I decided to go ahead and run again. It paid off! Badger was 4th in the 1D! He was the 4th fastest time of the day! The winning time was a 15.7, then there were two 15.8 and then Badger ran a 15.9. Woohoo! So proud of my boy!
We then ate a celebratory dinner at a local mexican restaurant and came home. Then it was back to being a mommy with giving Shelby a bath and getting her settled down for the night. A good way to spend a weekend!
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