What Did You Do to My Cow Dog??

While we were enjoying our time in Dallas this weekend, Harley was gettin' a haircut and boarded at the vet.  I had the husband drop him off Saturday morning.  I didn't want to be the bad guy.  He was not a happy camper.  We picked him up Sunday afternoon.  The vet tech brought him out and my first words were, "Harley, what did they do to you!"

He was so excited, he didn't even care they emasculated him.  But once he got over his initial happiness, I could tell he was quite upset.  It took forever for him to look at me to get a picture.

Doesn't he look so dejected.  Poor guy.  In the 12 1/2 years we've had him, don't think he's ever had a bow in his hair.  Polka dots just don't go with his spiked collar.

Bikini Challenge-The Fitness Gremlins Are Out in Force

You ever feel like that.  Have good intentions to go to the gym, all ready, then BAM, something comes up and you don't make it.  That's how my entire February has felt.  A couple weeks ago, I slacked off.  Then I was ready to start back last Monday.  Had the day off, was gonna spend an hour or so at the gym, then BAM we found Zena.  Kinda made the rest of the week not matter.

Saturday, the weather was so nice, I ran down the road by the house.  Felt so good.  I knew after our eventful weekend, I would get back on track.  I conducted defensive tactic training on Monday so I didn't go to the gym.  Then BAM...snow!  No gym workout on Tuesday.  I did run on my treadmill at home but it's not the same.  Ever since I started going back to the gym, I hate runnin' at home on my treadmill.  It really sucks!

Today, I was headed back from Fort Hood.  Gonna drive straight to the gym.  Then BAM...bumper to bumper traffic on the interstate.  Sat there for over 30 mins.  Apparently someone tried walking across I-35 and got hit by a semi.  Not good.  According to the news, the interstate was closed for over 2 hours.  So I finally got out of the stand still and headed east towards home.  After all that, I wasn't in the mood to try to get on down the interstate to the gym.

Not only has my workouts suffered but I have had a sweet tooth from hades!  I ate a pint of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream on Sunday.  Of course not all in one sitting, oh no, I broke it up into two. :-)  And I have chocolates in the house that I keep gettin' in.  I just need to clear the house of anything that tempts me especially sweets.  Sweets are my downfall.  I'm gonna send the chocolates with the husband to his office.  That should help.  I don't think there's anything else here cause I've already ate it!

We are headed out Friday for a weekend in Stephenville.  Buckin' bulls so the exercising will be limited.  I should be okay with my eating though.  I won't have any sugary treats sittin' next to me saying "you know you want me, eat me, I'm so good, you don't know what you're missin'!"

So after all that good news, here's the results of my weigh in.....0.6 gain.  Ugh!  I think I'm just gonna write February off.  Start fresh in March.  Don't have many months between now and July though so I better get in gear!  Otherwise, I suggest y'all block my site on July 4th!  It won't be pretty!

What Y'all Think of This?!

I can't believe it was sunny, beautiful and 76 degrees on Sunday.  Now this...




Yep, that was my drive home after my office shut down at lunch.  It started snowing this morning and hasn't stopped.

I thought I would get y'all some better snow pictures this time.  Stopped on the road and took this from the truck.  I thought it looked so peaceful.  Good thing my roads aren't busy.




And of course, I had to get my bridge.  I actually got out of the truck for this one.  Brrr...



I may go out a little later this evening and try to get a few more.  All the snow will be gone by tomorrow afternoon.  Gotta get some pics while I can!

Dallas Part Two

Prior to the bullridin', Gary Allen put on a concert mid-field.





I enjoy his songs but let me tell ya, it was SOOOOO loud.  A lady actually came thru our suite with a bag of ear plugs.  The husband stood outside the suite in a back area to get away from the loudness.  It was pretty bad.

Finally, it was time for the bullridin'.  Let the fireworks begin!





I can't imagine sitting right near the arena.  We could feel the heat from the flames where we were sittin'.  The field was split in two.  There was an arena on each side.  Okay, you can see the bottom of the big screen in the upper right hand corner.  That gives you a idea of how huge it is.



You notice how small the guys horseback are in the picture above.  Well, that doesn't keep me from locating my major crush!  Yes, I have a crush.  It's Mike White.  He's a bullrider but recently had surgery.  I spotted him in the arena.



I squealed with delight and told the husband, "Look, there's Mike!"  He couldn't believe I was able to pick him out.  Then, of course, I was zoomin' my lil camera to it's max trying to get a good pic.  He's just too cute. The husband and rent-a-husband make so much fun of me.  But the rent-a-husband actually got me a signed picture many moons ago.  And the husband actually got Mike to come up a few years back at a PBR and take his picture with me.  I was like a giddy school girl.  But the husband didn't like that I kept the picture on my nightstand.  What's up with that?



So after I finished stalking Mike with my camera, I watched the bullriding.  And look who came on the big screen, our good friend Toby.  He's half of Boyd and Floyd Bucking Bulls.  Toby is actually responsible for the husband and I meeting.  And we held our wedding reception bullriding at his arena.



Then there's Tandy, the PBR doctor.  He's done all of the husband's shoulder surgeries.  Super nice guy and awesome doctor.



Too bad no one pushed the replay button, we might have gotten to see rent-a-husband on the big screen.  He was the replay judge.  No such luck though.  And where he was sittin', he was out of view from us.  I couldn't get a picture of him in his black and white stripped judge shirt.

During a break in the action, Justin McBride did a lil mini-concert.  He was actually pretty good.  I have to say I was impressed.  I think he got me when he covered a Chris LeDoux song.  I ♥ Chris LeDoux.  I was singing along.  Took me back to my college days.



We had such a good time and stayed out WAY past my bedtime.  Sunday, the husband and I were both draggin'.  Just can't party all night like we used to!

Iron Cowboy Challenge

Some friends invited us to go to the PBR in Dallas on Saturday.  It was being held at the new Cowboy Stadium. The husband and I thought it would be cool to go check it out.  And enjoy seeing our friends.  We see them maybe once or twice a year.

We had no idea what we were about to experience...a once in a lifetime deal is how we explain it.  I tried to take pictures but the husband and I both decided there was no way the pictures can really express the feelings we had.  It was just so cool.  So let me tell ya about it.

Our tickets were for the Luxury Suite in the Owner's Club area.



Which means you go to these unmarked doors where 4 stadium personnel are standing guard.  They take your ticket, put a wristband on ya and welcome you in.



They also explain there is an open bar and food available.  You are welcome to whatever you want FREE of charge.  Which the husband and I neither drink but we love some food!





They had chefs standing by to prepare your salad.  They also sprinkle your cupcakes!!  Can you believe that?  You tell them what flavor cupcake you want, then whatever sprinkles you want, and they sprinkle it for you.  I mean really, who can't sprinkle their own cupcake?  Well, last night I wasn't allowed.  Here is mine.



So we made it to our suite.  The view was awesome.  We were right on the 50 yard line.  But it really didn't matter because of the gigantic TV over the arena.  It didn't matter where you sat because all you do was watch the big screen.



Oh, did I mention we were in the suite next to Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys.  Yea, he was right there.



Oh, and look at this mirror in the bathroom.  It had a TV in it.  I had to get a picture of it.



There were TVs all over the place.  You couldn't miss the action if you wanted to.  It was just so cool.  The country folk came to town!



I've got lots more pictures to show ya from the concerts to the bullriding to people we know I captured on the big screen.  Thought I better split it up over a few days.  So stay tuned...

Babies Abound

Jade had a lil girl yesterday.



The husband called me at work this morning to ask how to make the fancy camera zoom.  After a quick lesson, which was, turn the lens, the husband was off and shootin'.  He got this one for y'all.

We don't know if she will be a red roan or if she will brindle out.  They change so much as they get older.  We do know she's pretty spry.  The husband said she was runnin' all around this morning.  When I got home just before dark, she was runnin' across the pasture.  Poor Jade was trying to keep up with her.

I just love babies!

Bikini Challenge-Slacker, Party of One

It's been one of those weeks....well, week and a half.  My motivation dwindled last week.  I'm still exercising, just not at the same intensity.  One day I was suppose to run 4 miles, I only ran 2.  The husband said, "Didn't you look at your bracelet?"  My response, "Yea, it got me on the treadmill for the 2 miles.  Otherwise, I wouldn't have done a thing!"

I know this is just a bump in the road.  I always have my highs and lows when working out.   My efforts haven't gone unnoticed.  The husband has told me that he can tell I've lost inches.  My pants are fittin' looser as well.  I'm happy with my progress, just need to reboot my system and get back on track.

At my weigh in this week, I lost a big ZERO.  But at least I didn't gain anything.  My next weigh in is Saturday.  I'm not expecting much then either cause I know the effort I've made.  But watch out the following week cause it's gonna be on like donkey kong!

**Helpful Gym Hint for the week.....please remember when running on the treadmill with your earphones on, just because you can't hear yourself toot, doesn't mean someone else can't.  And if you do hear it, don't show fear and look straight ahead!**  Don't ask...I really shouldn't be allowed in public.

Pictures Courtesy of the Husband

The husband sent me an email today that said

"I fed the cows and the baby was right up there.  It's a BOY!  It looked healthy but small and cold.  I went back in the house and got your fancy camera and took some pictures.  All I did was turn it on, point and shoot."

I had to laugh when I read it.  My fancy camera!  I called him on my way home and asked how the picture takin' went.  He said sometimes when he took a picture, it would take alot at one time.  And a few other times, he did good cause he would push the button half way down, it would focus, then he would take the picture.  Hmmm.  I couldn't wait to get home and see what he got.

When I looked thru them, I could tell the ones that the camera just went "off".  They were all blurry.  But he did have a few good ones.  I picked out my favorite one for y'all.



Isn't he cute!  The husband said he was running around and kickin'.  Havin' a good 'ol time out in the pasture. I love havin' babies at the house.  They are so much fun to watch.  If I can catch him playin', I'll have to video it to post.

On a side note, I want to thank everyone for their kind comments and emails.  Y'all are so awesome to us in our sad time and we do appreciate all the prayers and thoughts.

With Death Brings Life

Soon after we found Zena yesterday morning, the husband noticed one of the heifers gettin' ready to calve.  She had laid down in the side pasture.  When we went to the gate to check on her, she got up, went to the back pasture then back up to the other side pasture.  She finally stopped along the fence line east of the house.  The husband and I got on the front porch with the binoculars and watched her.

I knew when the birthin' started cause the husband started saying "push! push!" while peering thru the binoculars.    Then we saw the baby moving around.  I tried to get some pictures with my 300mm lens but she was still pretty far away.  This was the best I could do.







We got worried cause the baby couldn't get up.  It looked like there was something wrong with it's back end. So we watched and waited and waited.  Finally over an hour or so later, the baby made it to it's feet.  Then the calf finally started to nurse.  We here happier then.

This morning the husband said he tried to sneak out to check on them both.  But even though he was in stealth mode, the mama saw him and took off with the baby.  He said the baby was doing better cause it was sure motorin' across the pasture.

I looked for them when I got home this evening in hopes of taking better pics.  I couldn't see her.  I 'm sure she was hiding with the baby in the back pasture.  Maybe in a few days, I'll be able to capture the lil devil.

Some Days Really Suck

And this was one of those days.

Last week, the husband mentioned Zena had lost weight.  We hadn't noticed because of her winter coat.  But by this weekend, it was bad.  She had lost a lot of weight.  She had no other symptoms of sickness.  She was still going out with the husband and being active (a little less pep in her step though).  I bought her wet food and the husband started her on it.  She ate it right up.  I cuddled with her while we did outside chores yesterday.  She wanted her tummy rubbed.

This morning the husband went out to get her to go feed the bulls.  He found her on the side of the house, no longer with us.  We are stunned.  I feel guilty for not taking her to the vet last week.  I'm just numb.  I've never lost so many dogs in such a short amount of time.  This is the third in just a little over a year.

I especially feel bad for the husband.  He and Zena had a close bond.  She was his girl.  He laid her to rest out by the tank next to Duke and Lil Man.  We'll make a cross to hang her collar on to mark her grave later this week.

We will miss her so....

The Crazy M Valentine

The husband went over to the lease this morning to check the cows and found this...




Our very own valentine!  Diamond had a black and white bull calf.  What more could we ask for!

(Sorry for the quality of the pic, the husband took it with his cell phone.)

The Snow Pics

 ***Caution Northerners, don't fall out of your chairs laughing when you see my snow pictures.***


It is very rare we get snow.  Our average temperature should be in the 60s right now.  And it will be 57 tomorrow.  Yeah!  Anyhow, people around these parts get pretty excited about a dusting of snow.  The husband and I, not so much.  We grew up in areas that got snow.  I remember my first year of college.  I was in the dorms and it started sleeting outside.  The girls went crazy cause it was "snowing" and went outside to play in it.  Some of them had never seen snow.  And actually, they didn't see it that day either.  It amazed me that people had never seen snow before.  

So the overnight temps were suppose to dip below freezing and everyone was scared the roads would be icy so schools and my work started 2 hours late.  Hey, I'm okay with that!  When I left the house around 9, the snow was already melting.  But I took pictures for y'all anyways.

I'm headed out the drive....




Our sign at the entrance...




The neighbor's tank...




The creek that runs under my favorite bridge...




The green grass in shock...




A neighbor's cow wondering what the heck was going on...




The snow didn't last very long at all.  Here's that same pasture the cow was in when I came home.




And our drive...



Now we're just back to mud.  Y'all know how much I love it!  Tomorrow's suppose to be warm and pretty.  Then rain again on Sunday.  I don't think we'll ever dry out.  But at least we got a change of pace with the frozen stuff.

SNOW!!

We went from yesterday's post of lush green grass to snow today!  It has been raining all day, imagine that!  I decided to go ahead and head to the gym after work.  Figured it couldn't get too bad while I was there.  Ran 3 miles (in 28:34!!!!!!) and decided to head out.  Went outside and the cars were covered in sleet.

The husband started calling me as soon as I got in the truck asking if I was at home.  I told him I was leaving the gym.  WHAT?  YOU WENT TO THE GYM!  That was his reaction.  He said it had been snowing at his work for about an hour.  Told me be very careful on my way home and call as soon as I got there.

So I started my normally 40 min drive home.  The majority of my drive home is on a busy highway.  So with all the traffic and the temp just now dipping below freezing, the road was still okay.  But these people around here thought the ideal speed was 30!  Luckily it's a four lane highway and I just stayed on the left and cruised along.

The last twelve miles of the drive are along farm roads that aren't used much.  So of course, I slowed way down on them.  The roads were covered and I figured getting a little slick.  Sure enough, right before my turn, there was a SUV in the ditch.  Another truck had slid thru the stop sign and the fence at the "T".  And another truck was on the other side of the turn in the ditch!

I turned the corner and made my way on home.  They were sittin' in their vehicles and another person had stopped for the one that had gone thru the fence.  It was just a mess.  I slid more on the dirt road than any where else.  It was one slick puppy!

Speakin' of slick puppy, Diesel tried jumping up against the door after I got home and busted it on the porch.  Had to laugh.

Anyhow, the roads are gonna be a mess in the morning.  I have court tomorrow but it will be postponed until later in the day most likely.  I really hate getting on the interstate with these crazy drivers.  It's bad enough when it's just rain!  Y'all be careful out there!

Let's Take a Break

from all the snow and rain.



I took this picture last February.  It was warm, the sun was shining and the kids were rompin' thru the neighbor's field.  Good times!

Bikini Challenge-The Gym

On Saturday, I started back at the gym.  I've had a membership for years just hadn't used it in months.  I wanted to focus on my cardio at the beginning of my bikini challenge but now I needed to add strength training.  I truly LOVE lifting weights and I especially like doing it at the gym.  Maybe all the expensive equipment, not like my handful of little weights at home.  Yea, that could be it.  Plus I really like to get right in the middle of all the muscled up guys at the free weights to lift my 10lb dumbbell.

Another thing I like about the gym, I run lots faster on their treadmills.  Why, I don't really know.  But I am kickin' butt on my times.  I'm running 9:30 miles this week.  It could be a combination of things like I watch tv/people to keep my mind preoccupied and I want to beat the person next to me.  I'm not competitive or anything.

So I'm ramping up my exercise.  Got to get me some lean muscle for that bikini pic!

As far as my eating, it's still doing well.  I tried adding more daily water intake.  I think I burned a bunch of calories walking back and forth to the bathroom this past week!  I drink a liter in the morning, green tea at lunch, then more water during the afternoon.  I've always drank water just not enough.  So I'm working on it.

So what was my weight loss for this week?  I'm down 1.4 lbs!

Hope y'all have an awesome week and meet some fitness goals.  You're worth it!