Easter Weekend

We had a very busy and fun Easter weekend. Ryan’s parents flew in on Wednesday night. They hung out with Shelby on Thursday while Ryan and I worked. That evening Nancy and I went to a birthday party for one of Shelby’s friends. It was fun eating hamburgers, hot dogs, and cake while visiting with some friends and watching the little ones play.


Friday afternoon I went to Wharton to get my hair cut/highlighted and then donated blood afterwards while the other Boudries hung around the house, worked on the garden as well as some other miscellaneous stuff to get ready for our crawfish boil. That evening we had some church friends over and everyone enjoyed a lot of crawfish and a little dessert and taco soup. We had so much fun visiting, going for ‘pony rides’ and singing with Amy’s guitar. What a special night!

Saturday was shopping day for Nancy and me. We got a really late start because I woke up with a TERRIBLE migraine. I couldn’t function most of the morning and finally found relief with Ryan adjusting my back and some migraine medicine. Enough, anyhow, to go to our neighbor’s who is a chiropractor. She adjusted my neck and said it was REALLY bad. I was still sore most of the day, but did find relief as the day went on. Nancy and I had to go shopping because I still needed Easter things and clothes. We also went to the Sears outlet to find a washing machine since mine was leaking. My original (whirlpool) washing machine was at least 20+ years old. So, it had done its time. I have had a lot of good luck with Kenmore so I decided to buy a Kenmore this time. So far, so good!

Sunday was Easter, so we were up early to go to church for a continental breakfast and Easter egg hunt before service. That was a lot of fun and we enjoyed the message Pastor Dave shared with us. Afterwards we went home so Shelby could nap and then came back to town to eat out at Saltgrass Steakhouse. (Yummy!)

Monday was more low key. I was pretty worn out from all our activities and was ready to sit home. So that’s just what I did.  Nancy and I were able to go for a nice ride in the back pasture. We just walked and talked. It was so nice just to relax and enjoy the horses. I haven’t had much time for them lately. Afterwards, we played with Shelby and cleaned up the house until nap time When Shelby went down for a nap it was time for me to clean up and get ready for our photo shoot. My friend is a photographer so we had her come out to take pictures of all of us. We had not had professional pictures of Shelby taken or any family pictures taken so we thought this would be a good time to do it. The pictures are AWESOME and I’m so excited to get them printed and hung. I sure hope I can find the time to do it soon.

So, that was our weekend in a nutshell. It was busy as it always is when Dick and Nancy come to town, but a nice weekend with family. 

Here are some of my favorite pictures from our photoshoot. 
 

Nothing New...

There has not been a whole lot going on these last few weeks.  We've been busy with normal life, but not anything too exciting.

Our garden is slowly growing.  I am thankful nothing has (knock on wood) died.  We have everything planted now...three rows of corn, 1/2 a row of cucumbers, a row of beans, 1/2 row of dill weed and cilantro, 17 tomato plants, 1/2 a row of squash, watermelon, jalepenos, and bell peppers...oh and some onions...I think that is everything.

We have not seen rain in MONTHS and it is showing.  The ground is cracking and the grass is crackling.  We are getting pretty desperate for rain and still none planned for at least another 10 days.  Not good!!!  We've even started letting the horses come out by the house and front yard just to give them some more grass.

This week we are looking forward to a visit from Dick and Nancy.  We have lots of fun things planned including a crawfish boil, some shopping for Easter, an Easter dinner, riding horses and who knows what else.  We are all looking forward to the visit.

I guess that is it.  I have some work to do, so I guess I will go...

Garden is Growing

Our garden is doing fairly well this year. It is twice the size but we are able to manage it. We still have a few crops that our friend is growing in his greenhouse. He said they'll be available next weekend. He has helped us put tremendously by giving out seeds a good foundation and start. It males growing them so much easier.

Here are some pics.

Watermelon


Squash


Tomatoes


Cucumbers


The winds here have been really strong and so I haven't been able to spray for bugs or put miracle grow on them again. Glad I got it on the first time. The bugs were eating up my beans. :-)

Well time to go to work. I thought I'd just post how my garden is doing.




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Sobering Times

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.

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

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 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'

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....

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....