Gizzards & Calf Fries

Crazy M Update

2012-01-17T19:26:00.002-06:00

It's been a whirlwind around here. So many things going on. First, I will say I haven't shot anything with my pink BB gun yet! Not even the Husband! So this past weekend, I moved into my very own photography studio.

I know!! Can you believe it?! I really wanted a place to meet clients and showcase my work. I have my western prints for sell. Have a back area that I am setting up for a small studio. The front was fixed up nice. The back, not so much! So on Saturday, the Husband and I started ripping out nasty sheet rock. Guess what we found?

Yep! An old brick wall! How perfect! Automatic backdrop! So we spent the weekend getting the shop cleaned and stuff moved in. I finally have a spare room again!

Then on Monday I got up REAL early to head in for live TV! Can you believe a local news station wanted to do a story on lil ol me?! They were probably having second thoughts when I walked in and tripped over a cord attached to the camera. Almost took it out! I'm so graceful!

So I was on live twice that morning during the news broadcast. Scary! I tried to keep my dorkiness in check but it's hard. Then they did an interview and shot some video of me taking pictures at the shelter. They did that story at 6 and 10p. I truly think that is WAY too much wife in one day for anyone! Would you like to see the story?

So how freakin' cool is that?

I also competed in the marathon on January 1st to raise money for the shelter and low cost spay/neuter clinic. I raised a total of $1600!! So half went to the medical fund at the clinic and the other half is sponsoring 15 spay/neuter procedures for cattle dogs! So 15 dogs will be fixed for free!

Okay, what else? My Christmas tree is still up because I haven't had time to take it down. The husband asked me this weekend if we were gonna be rednecks and leave it up all year. Ha ha! I will get it down....eventually.

All the animals are doing well. We should be working calves this week sometime. Hopefully! It keeps getting put off due to weather and various other issues. Harley had TEN teeth removed last week. Had to sell a cow to pay for that! But the old man needed it and he's doing well. All the other monsters (Diesel, Lucky and Penelope) are still running amuck!

Anyhow, what's up with you?

I Was a Good Girl!

2011-12-25T09:16:00.003-06:00

What does the wife at Crazy M get for Christmas?

A pink camo hunting hat, a pink Daisy BB gun and pink mud boots! I was a very good girl this year!

Oh, and Santa left pepper spray in my stocking!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T20:50:00.002-06:00

May your holidays be filled with love and happiness.

Merry Christmas

from

Crazy M

2011 Christmas Card Outtakes

2011-11-25T18:24:00.001-06:00

The much awaited outtakes! And believe me, there were more outtakes this year than ever before. I swear we have a bunch of monsters!

I think the husband got the worst of it though. He had been on me to get our pictures done. I think he regrets that now! ;)

Iz Can Fly!

2011-11-23T06:50:00.001-06:00

Please Don't Report Me...

2011-11-16T19:51:00.001-06:00

But I've been abusing my dogs...with hats.

That's what happens when momma is a pet photographer and has to try out some new props! But the Husband was especially upset about Diesel in the "Driving Miss Daisy" hat.

I'm Back!

2011-11-15T19:48:00.001-06:00

Well, actually, Super T-Post Driver Woman is here!

See, I'm still around and goofy as ever! The husband about fell out when I came out of the house dressed in my super hero mask/cape to go fix fence. I had to get in the zone!

Husband can't pick up our super duper heavy t-post driver and raise it over his head to drive the posts so it's my duty. We had a tree fall on the back fence during a storm. Cows decided to go on an adventure thru the farmers plowed field, down the country road and hang out in the bar ditches. So we thought it best to fix it!

This was us bringing the girls home. Good thing they like cow treats!

Also a good thing there's not much traffic out in the middle of nowhere! We moseyed down the road for over a mile and a half. Then in our driveway where we could close the gate behind them. Bad girls!

Never dull around these parts! Of course, we are Crazy M!

Diesel Has Mad Skills

2011-10-11T19:35:00.001-05:00

He is working on his levitation skills for Halloween.

My Penelope

2011-10-04T18:33:00.000-05:00

Yes, my lil girl has grown up. Hard to imagine when I brought her home earlier this year at 5 weeks old, she would be such a beautiful big girl. She is all legs, taller than Diesel and Lucky. Don't know when she will stop growing. The Husband says she's part Great Dane! ;)

We are having a girl's day on Friday. She's gonna go to town with me to run some errands. Probably head to Petsmart and pick her up a treat before headin' home. We'll bring some home for the boys too. Can't leave the them out!

UGH, What a Monday!

2011-10-03T20:27:00.000-05:00

Man, this was a Monday, if I've ever had one! It started out with a raccoon extraction from my yard. I had given it every opportunity over the past day and night to remove itself. However, it had not. So I notified work this morning that I would be late cause I had critter issues.

I put the kids in the stock trailer and left the yard gate open, hoping it would just saunter out of the yard. Sure enough, after about 30 minutes, I saw it come down the tree. But every time a noise was made, it would run right back up it. It even made it out of the yard SEVERAL times, only to turn, run back in and up the tree!! UGH!

I gave it several hours. Continued to get ready for work in hopes it would leave. (Insert Harley throwing up on the carpet during this time.) Got out of the shower and noticed it cruising around the yard. Of course, it was not going in the right direction to LEAVE! At one point I lost sight of it so I went out the front door. As I came around the house, it spotted me and guess what, RAN UP THE TREE!

So back in the house I went. Time was running out. Now it was not coming back down. I pulled the .22 rifle out and loaded the rat shot. Gonna come down one way or another. I went outside and scattered it's butt several times. Then I was out of rat shot. It hadn't budged. Next step, actual .22 bullets. I came in the house and got the clip of "real" bullets. Headed back out. As I walked up to the tree, the sucker was climbing down. He stopped and looked at me. I looked at him. Then I said, "okay, if you're gonna leave, I will go back in the house. But this is your last chance." I could see the comprehension in his eyes. I turned and went in the house. As soon as I shut the door, he scurried down the tree and headed for an exit.

I was finally able to put my dress and heels on to head to work. Got there just by the time like I said I would. Work was pretty uneventful. Walked out to go home and guess what....flat tire! Seriously! I was not dressed appropriately to change a flat. I finally figured out that I had OnStar's roadside assistance! Duh! So they sent someone to change the tire for me. It was very nice.

Then I got to go see the Husband, which I hadn't seen in over a week! He flew in from Washington this afternoon. He was at work so I took him supper. He brought me saltwater taffy. My favorite. That made up for the otherwise crappie day!

Okay, my whine-fest is over! I just hope your Monday was better than mine!

Hello October!

2011-10-02T11:30:00.002-05:00

We have some cooler temps. Well, cooler as in less than 100. Now we just need rain. But one wish at a time right?!

So what have we been up to around here. Not a whole lot. More of the same. Workin' our jobs and workin' our place.

Last weekend I ran on a team for a 5K race. I ran as a cat.

The bell on my collar was quite annoying. Jingle, jingle, jingle for 3 miles. I got plenty of stares as I ran up on people. I would just look at them and say "yes, I know it's annoying!" But my team's theme was "walk on the wild side" and they wanted everyone to dress up as an animal. Of course, I'm the only one that ran the race so I had to choose my outfit accordingly. We did win craziest team!

The kids are all good. The Husband was giving them treats here.

They have another raccoon treed in the yard. Noticed it yesterday. This morning Diesel and Penelope were on guard duty. However, I don't think they were doing a very good job.

We have several things coming up this month. I have a big photo shoot next Saturday. 13 mini sessions to benefit the local nonprofit spay/neuter clinic. Then at the end of the month, Stubby is entered in a bull competition . Fingers crossed they all go well!

Nature's Fury

2011-09-10T08:00:00.001-05:00

I want to thank those that have contacted me recently inquiring on our safety. Fires are running rampant in Texas. They have been all around our area but luckily, none have gotten too close to our place. It's an uneasy feeling when the wind is blowing and all you smell is smoke at your house. You certainly keep an eye on the surroundings. We are fortunate to have plowed farmland on two sides of our place. That makes me feel a little safer but not a whole lot.

I wanted to share this picture I stole off Facebook. It's amazing.

From what I heard, the guy in the truck is the brother to the one on the horse. He shadowed them so his brother could lead the horses 12 miles to safety on the other side of a river.

They are telling people to spray paint their phone numbers on their animals, remove any halters (cause it will burn to them) and turn them loose. That's their best bet for survival.

Fire is my biggest fear. In an instant, everything you have is gone. The husband and I will be going thru our closets this weekend. Taking all the things we can to donation centers. It's the least we can do to help the thousands of people in the area that have nothing except the clothes on their back.

I've Gone Canvas

2011-08-25T19:16:00.000-05:00

Recently, I came in contact with a printing company out of Austin, Easy Canvas Prints. They transform your photos into canvas prints. They offered to let me try them out. I couldn't think of what picture I would want printed. I have my walls pretty much covered in my photography. Then I thought of it....

About a month ago, I went to Dallas to take a childhood friend's engagement pictures. You know it's a challenge for me to do people pictures! But they turned out well. She was happy so that is all that mattered. Anyhow that was it, I would print one of my favorites for them as a wedding present.

Today it arrived! I was excited to open the box up and see how it turned out! Here it is...

It turned out great! I really hope they like it. I know I'll be using the company for future canvas orders. I won't hesitate to send my photography their way.

If you have ever thought of making a canvas, try them out. The website is SO easy to use. The customer support is wonderful too. But of course, they are Texans so you get that great Southern hospitality!

Easy Canvas Prints

Welcome to Hell....

2011-08-20T21:28:00.000-05:00

That's what it feels like around here. Going on our 69th 100 degree day. Plus no rain. Gotta say it's pretty miserable and no real end in sight. Here is our extended forecast.

Not really something to look forward to! BUT we did have a cold front last Saturday! Our 100 degree record setting streak ended with a day in the 90s! I never knew 90 degrees could feel so good.

We've been moving cattle around. Stubby was brought home. He's penned up with a couple yearling bulls. I get to go out every evening and feed them. Probably the highlight of my day cause I love my Stubby so! They wait patiently for me...

Gonna bring the rest of the cows from the lease home. The grass is burned off. So we'll be feeding them here. Fingers crossed with taking them off and Lord help us, we get some rain, the lease will come back for winter. It's the worst I've ever seen it.

Tanks are drying up all around us too. Luckily, both at the house and lease, we still have water. The one at the house has dropped 20 feet or so. Still enough water for Diesel to swim though!

And Penelope is growing like a bad weed, as you can tell from the picture!! She and Diesel are best buds. And torment each other daily!

Other than that, nothing much going on. Just trying to stay cool. Hope all is well with y'all!

Happy Anniversary To Us!

2011-08-09T06:51:00.000-05:00

13 years and counting!

My Near Death Experience

2011-08-04T11:29:00.000-05:00

The Husband was putting out hay this morning in the calf pen. I was keeping the calves from escaping out the open panels. Thought I would video while I was just standing around.

So I look silly, cause the calves stopped right in front of me. They looked at me like "what is up with you?"

The Husband's response to me scurrying to the fence when I saw the group of calves running at me...

Isn't he sweet. Don't run from those calves. Yea, I can just see it now...what happened to you? Ummm, I was stampeded by calves cause the Husband told me not to run....

Are You Ready for Some Football?!

2011-08-03T10:19:00.000-05:00

Diesel is!!

I've Been a Bad Girl Again!

2011-07-24T09:39:00.001-05:00

I haven't posted on my blog. I haven't visited any other blogs. I know it's bad when people begin sending me emails asking if I'm okay. It was very sweet of y'all! Everything is a-okay here at Crazy M. It seems as though I just haven't taken the time to blog. Been busy with other stuff. What other stuff you ask? Well, it seems as though I've been.....

Taking care of the calves.

Watching Penelope grow and terrorize Diesel.

Taking photos for actual money!

Yesterday morning I had "mini" sessions. Half of the session fee was donated to the local shelter. It was really fun. Except when I laid in fire ants. If you've never experienced a fire ant, count yourself lucky. I have 40 bites around my tummy and sides. I kept on going though. It's all in the name of pet photography!!

Anyhow, if anyone actually stills reads my blog, we're still around. I hope to get more active on here soon. At least one post a week, huh! I'm such a slacker!

Y'all stay cool!

Thoughtless Thursday

2011-07-07T06:43:00.000-05:00

Miss Penelope is growing like a bad weed! Where did my precious pup go? Well, she's still precious. Sweetest girl around these parts!

Busy Ranch Weekend

2011-07-05T20:47:00.000-05:00

So much for a relaxing holiday weekend! The Husband had different plans! He left the house early Saturday morning to go round up cows and calves at our lease place. He made it home around 10ish. I got the pens ready at the house. Unloaded the cows into the pasture. Put the neighbor's bull in a pen behind the barn. For some reason, he thinks our pasture is much better than his own. I don't blame him though, my girls are pretty cute! Then we hauled the babies to Rent-a-Husband's house. They were gettin' bucked the next morning.

So after a night's rest, the babies had to show what they were made of. Have to say, we were pretty proud of the group as a whole. Here are a couple of them....

We took the babies home that afternoon. They were pretty tired after an eventful couple days. We put them in the pen next to the barn. Mommas were at the fence crying. Babies were at the fence crying. Ahh, the lovely sounds of weaning time.

Monday, we took the neighbor's bull home. Then went and checked the cows at the lease. We were able to catch a few more that we needed. As we loaded them up, Stubby got upset. He didn't want us to take them away. We started to pull away from the pens and Stubby stood in front of our truck!

He was so peeved at us! I was just happy he didn't bash my truck! Big stinker! We finally managed to get by him and head home.

I had to go to work today just to rest!

Shelter Dogs ROCK!

2011-06-28T20:09:00.000-05:00

I had my first portrait session this past Saturday. It was with one of my favorite shelter dogs and a volunteer. So it really wasn't a paying gig, just something I wanted to do for fun to showcase the dogs available for adoption. Thought I would show y'all a few pics...

Scruffy was so excited when I picked him up from the shelter. He was an excellent passenger to and from the shoot. And an even better model! I was happy to spend some time with him outside the "fence". Fingers crossed he finds his forever home very soon!

The Great Coon Removal

2011-06-25T19:46:00.000-05:00

As I was getting ready for work yesterday morning, I heard Diesel going crazy in the yard. Usually, it means either the cat is near the fence or someone has his toy. I went to the backdoor to see what the commotion was all about. He was barking up at a tree. I thought maybe Miss Kitty was up it or another cat. They've done it once before but it usually only takes once to learn the yard is not a favorable area. I looked up in the tree and saw a raccoon. Ugh. I didn't have time for this. I told Diesel to leave it alone. He didn't want any part of it. I finished getting ready and left.

I was hoping during the heat of the day, when the dogs go under the porch to stay cool, the coon would make a quick departure. I called the Husband on my way home to see if he had seen it before leaving for work. He said he didn't know anything about it. The dogs acted normal when he left. Good, I thought, the coon must have made it out.

Unfortunately, that did not occur. When I pulled up the drive, Diesel and Lucky were under the tree. I knew the coon was still there. It was going on 12 hours since I had seen it there. No tellin' how much longer it had been there before I found it. I had to do something about it.

First I got the dogs out of the yard. I put them in the stock trailer and left the yard gate open. I hoped once the dogs were out of the area, the raccoon would decide to leave. After watching from inside the house, I realized this was not working.

Then I looked online to see what a raccoon would eat. It said nuts, berries, pretty much anything and peanut butter. So I put some peanut butter on a piece of bread and put it lower in the tree. Surely, this would entice it to come down. And I waited.....nope.

By this time, I called the Husband to inform him the coon was still here. We discussed some options and I told him I would try water. So I put the nozzle on the hose and sprayed the coon. I think he was just enjoying the pleasant cold water. I'm sure it was a welcomed relief after sitting in the top of the tree all day in the 100 degree weather. He didn't budge.

Okay, at this point I started throwing things at it in the tree. Not the best idea since the stuff got caught in the branches!

Next bright idea, get the ladder and sorting stick. Yep, I hauled the ladder out of the barn to the tree. Took my sorting stick and poked the sucker. Well, that just made him mad and bite the stick. I envisioned him scurrying down that stick and eatin' my face off. About this time, the Husband calls for an update. I advise him I'm on a ladder jabbin' the monster with a stick. He's (the Husband) not real happy since I'm the biggest klutz in the area. He asked me to please not fall off the ladder. Yea, I'll try not to.

I'm gettin' pretty perturbed with the situation. I have given this dang thing every opportunity to leave my tree in a nice orderly fashion and he's snubbed his nose at me. I pull out the next best thing, the hot shot. So now I'm on top of the ladder with the hot shot trying to teach this bad boy a lesson. But instead of going down the tree, he just goes around the top of the tree. Like an idiot, I chase him. Moving the ladder to each side, climbing up, giving him a shock, climbing down, moving it around. I wore myself out.

The Husband calls again for another update. I tell him the situation has not changed. We're just both a little more pissy than before. I don't want to shoot the stupid thing but he needs to get out of my tree! Well we decide on the next best thing, I'll shoot it with rat shot. That will surely get it down.

So I head outside with the .22 rifle. Take aim as best I can thru all the branches and shoot. At first I didn't even think I really hit it. But then, it fell out of the tree....DEAD. All that effort to keep from killing it and I killed it anyhow.

The Husband couldn't believe that the rat shot did it in. I told him I'm just a dead eye. Now he's calling me Davy Crockett. He asked if I was gonna skin it out for a hat. I told him well, no, it would be full of holes!

I'm hoping no other coons try to take their chance in our yard. They won't get as many chances next time!

Wife, Where Are You? UPDATED!

2011-06-21T20:59:00.001-05:00

Sorry I haven't been a regular on here. Is anyone else having this issue? Or am I just a slacker!? My main problem is it's hot and dry and there's not much going on outside. All the animals are trying to stay in the shade. We're not messin' with them. We need rain so bad! This is the neighbor's corn crop.

Pitiful, huh. Sad really. The farmers are losing all their crops. Ranchers are selling off their herds. No hay to feed, no grass growing, feed prices keep going up! Had a streak of 9 days over 100 degrees. Today we had a cold front come in, it was 99 degrees with a heat index of 106. Small chance of rain tonight. Fingers crossed!!

Well enough with the doom and gloom, how about some good news!

Okay, this is not good news. A friend of our's was diagnosed with a brain tumor in April. He had surgery to remove it. It was the size of a LEMON! Now he's doing chemo and radiation. We attended a fundraiser for him this past Saturday. He is in really good spirits. He told the Husband you just never know when something like this can happen. He had a headache that wouldn't go away, went to the doctor and BOOM, you have cancer! So we went to the fundraiser. It was a steak dinner, feedlot sortin' and auction at his cowboy church. Awesome turn out. I so miss that area and the people. Just good 'ol country folk.

I took two of my framed prints, hoping they would bring in some money. Well they brought in almost $400! How crazy is that!? I was ecstatic. Plus I got a photography gig photographing buckin' bulls for Christmas presents.

We bought a hand full of stuff at the auction too. My favorite buy was this...

A zebra print petticoat! You should have seen the look on people as the Husband bid on that for me! ;-) Of course we had to explain I was going to use it on dogs. I had Harley model it the next day. He was NOT a happy camper!

What else is going on? Well, I have a photo shoot with a shelter dog on Saturday. Can't wait to do it. Have a volunteer modeling for me. We are doing a rocker style theme. I wanted to do something more creative with the shelter dogs. Another way to get them in the public and show how awesome they are . Hope to do many more styled shoots. I have all these ideas in my head.

My 4 Paw Project bracelets came in. I put a link on the side bar to buy. They are $2 and all proceeds go to my local shelter. Even the Husband is wearing one! I couldn't believe he asked for one. And he's sold some at his work.

OH! I set up a morning in July to do mini pet portrait sessions. 30 minute session in a local park for $50. $25 of the cost goes to the shelter. In less than 24 hours of posting the event, all but 3 time slots were filled! I was totally amazed!

OMG! I had a local doctor contact me today. She wants me to come to her home and take pictures of her SIX dogs! And pictures of her office staff for her website! I'm excited but REALLY nervous. I'm waiting for that thing called confidence to kick in. Yep, still waiting!

ALSO, a pet therapy group contacted me. They asked if I would take their member photos. Of course, I said! I would be honored! So I am donating my time to them. Will provide the President with a CD to use online. Then if the members actually want a picture, they can purchase them.

Oh, oh, oh....The shelter asked if I would give adopters a special discount. I had thought about it. But never went to them. They are awesome in promoting me. So now, when you adopt from the shelter, you will get a special discounted pet portrait session! It is part of their adoption packet!

Okay, one last thing...the non-profit spay/neuter clinic updated their website with the pictures of the staff I had taken for them. They are so happy with how they turned out. That makes me happy. The director asked me what they could do to promote me. I told her I just wanted to do something nice for them and help bring in money. She posted on their site about me and I think that's what brought the doctor knocking!

So it looks like all my success in my charity work is spilling over into my business. It's totally cool.

I forgot!!!! Yesterday, I was notified that a picture I entered into a contest made the cut and is now in the next round of voting. All I need are votes!! You can click HERE to vote. I am "D", the momma cow licking her baby. You don't have to give your name or email for your vote to count. Only one vote allowed per computer. I was greatly appreciate it!!

Happy Father's Day Pa!

2011-06-19T08:40:00.001-05:00

Love you bunches Dad!

Worshipin' the Sprinkler

2011-06-15T20:43:00.000-05:00

It's miserably hot here. Has been for awhile now, will be until September. Not something I'm looking forward to. We have been in the 100+ degrees and no relief in sight.

So what do we do in this heat? What any other kid does...

Sprinkler fun!

Exciting News!

2011-06-10T11:02:00.002-05:00

Gonna talk about my alter ego now. Y'all know I have been working with my local shelter taking dog pictures. In fact, look at this precious boy I took a picture of yesterday....

I could have stuffed this guy in my shirt and snuck him out! So 4 Paws Project has been doing very well. My shelter rocks and they are so supportive of me.

But get this...4 Paws has gone international!! I was contacted by a photographer in Calgary AB if she could be a 4 Paws photographer for her local shelters and rescues! How awesome is that?! After I quit doing the happy dance, I told her "of course!" So now I have a 4 Paws Project Calgary. You can find it on Facebook, along with my 4 Paws Project. She is just getting started and I wish her all the luck. Now we are looking for other photographers in other cities/towns willing to volunteer at their local shelters. I never even thought about making a 4 Paws network until now. Maybe we'll have 4 Paws Projects all over!

AND...I have teamed up with Painted Paws Pet Portraits. This awesome lady is digitally turning my photos into works of art. She has my permission to sell them and a part of the proceeds goes directly to my shelter! We are discussing tee shirts too!

How cool do these look....

You can find Painted Paws Pet Portraits on Facebook too! We are trying to get a canvas company to either donate or give us a discounted rate for printing. We want to hang some in the shelter's lobby. It's a work in progress. But I'm very excited.

AND...I ordered 4 Paw Project silicone bracelets. Will be selling them for $2 to anyone interested. All proceeds will go to the shelter. They should be in next week or so. I'll post a link on the side bar once I get it set up.

My only purpose was to help the animals at the shelter by taking better pictures, I never thought it would go this far.

Our Bull Workin' Kitty

2011-06-09T06:45:00.000-05:00

Yep, that's right, we have a bull workin' kitty. Miss Kitty to be exact. Whenever we go out to round the bulls up in the arena or near the barn, she's always right there with us, ready to meow them into the pens!

She was waiting on the stock trailer last night just in case I needed some assistance.

Thank Ya!

2011-06-08T19:15:00.000-05:00

I usually have an extremely hard time posting awards. So if you've given me one in the past, please don't hate me if I never posted it. I appreciate each and every one. I just hate choosing others to give it to. I think you all deserve an award. Anyhow, I thought I would try doing this one. It was bestowed upon me by the Dawson Cattle Company. Thank you! And the rules are as follows: thank the person that gave it to you (check), link back to their blog (check), reveal 7 things about myself (ugh!) and pass it along to others (alright, I'll force myself to pick).

Now I don't know that I have 7 things to reveal about myself. Y'all know about everything there is to know about me! Let's see....

1. I dipped snuff when I was little. My grandmother had a fit! My mom knew I justed wanted to be like my older brothers and I wouldn't do it long. She was right, it didn't last long.

2. I won a photo contest when I was in elementary school. Took a picture of our old barn as the sun was coming up. Then never really did much of anything else with photography until a few years ago.

3. One of my favorite TV shows is Friday Night Lights. I absolutely hate this is it's last season. Booo!

4. I applied to a PH.D program after I completed my degrees. I was turned down, even though I had awesome recommendations, due to being too young and not having enough work experience at the time. I never applied to another one.

5. I tend to be very blunt. Most days I am told "I can't believe you said that to him/her."

6. I love accessories. Even though I'm a t-shirt and blue jean kinda girl, I love necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets! I have a crapload!

7. I'm actually an introvert. I enjoy living out in the middle of nowhere. I prefer to be by myself or with the Husband. I don't like crowds. I tend to become a wallflower. Center of attention I am NOT. Parties and gatherings with people I don't know real well gives me anxiety. I don't make small talk very easily. But I have gotten better the age.

Wow, that took me awhile! So now I'm gonna spread the love. Go check out these blogs!

Familiar Spirit

One Old Cowgirl's View

Ride a Good Horse

Life's a Beach

Okay, and everyone else on my blogroll. You all deserve it!

The Eye of the Tiger

2011-06-07T20:21:00.000-05:00

Okay, so not a tiger. It's Penelope's serious stare of determination!

I swear she had this look a few days ago. I was crouched down taking pictures of Diesel. All of a sudden something struck me from behind, knocked me over. Penelope rolled over the top of me. She has a tendency to fling her entire body at Diesel. I guess she thought she would try it with me! Of course she had been playing in the water beforehand so my backside was soaked.

Lesson learned: Don't forget about the puppy in the yard when squatting down to take pictures!

What's Causin' the Cows to Stare?

2011-06-06T19:09:00.001-05:00

It would be this....

The Wife on a horse!!

This is for all my horsey blog peeps!

Y'all never see a horse on this blog. We usually don't have one on the place. Crazy, huh?! Do y'all remember this horse? Miss Priss. I bought her as a colt. She got caught up in some barbwire and cut her legs up pretty bad. Cut the back leg tendon completely in half. I doctored on her for quite awhile. Then I couldn't find the time to deal with her so I decided I needed to send her to the best horse trainer around, my dad!

Just brought her home last weekend. I promised my dad I would ride her. So this was my proof.

Don't expect to see the Husband on any horses.
If I get him on her, I'll be SURE to take his picture. It will be a miracle!

Exactly!

2011-05-31T06:40:00.000-05:00

Returning back to work this morning after a long holiday weekend....

Time Flies

2011-05-29T09:24:00.001-05:00

My niece graduated on Friday! The husband and I couldn't believe it. I guess cause that means we are OLD!

Doesn't she look excited to head to the ceremony!

I'm proud of her.

Here's the family. Back row: my mom and the husband.

Front row: my dad, other niece, the graduate, me and my grandmother.

Reunited...

2011-05-23T20:31:00.000-05:00

Went over to the lease yesterday to check the cattle. Of course, I got to check on Stubby too since he's been moved over there. Hadn't seen him in about two weeks.

I got out of the truck and he came straight to me. I think he missed me too.

He just wanted me to hand feed him. He's not spoiled or anything. ;)

I think he and Blackie wanted to load into the back of the truck and go home with us!

But he has to stay with the girls a little longer so a goodbye smooch.

And I think I may have found my next best friend!

Guess Who's Two?

2011-05-22T07:27:00.000-05:00

Yep, Diesel! He's such a handsome boy.

I still remember him as a pup. This was back in Sept. 2009 after he made his trip from Pennsylvania to Texas. He always loved the water!

He'll go out to the tank today for a birthday swim. We'll need to remember to take some chairs cause he swims forever!

Happy Birthday Diesel!!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-18T06:32:00.000-05:00

Calf Chew Toy?

2011-05-16T21:22:00.001-05:00

Who knew an ear tag would taste so good?

Paws in the Park Recap

2011-05-15T20:20:00.000-05:00

Paws in the Park was Saturday and we were ready to show our 4 Paw support!

Diesel had his shirt on and I had mine. Can you believe I had a jacket on? It was 50 degrees that morning! There were several dogs and people dressed up for the occasion. This lady out did them all from the ones I saw. She was in her flight suit and the dog had his wings on!

Diesel and I participated in the one mile Woof Walk. There were quite a few there. It was hard to maneuver thru everyone. Here we were lined up down the sidewalk gettin' ready for the start.

We ran the last half. I'm somewhat competitive and wanted to "win" the walk. I know, silly. But we passed everyone and walked in with the lady leading the walk.

Then Diesel decided he needed to cool off. This is what happens when you take a country dog to town.

Diesel thought the fountain was his swimmin' hole! And ya know what, I let him. I know, bad animal owner!

But we had a good time and he did very well. I think it was sensory overload for him. He's not used to all those people and all those dogs. But momma was proud.

AND guess what?! We raised more money than any other team!! Again, my competitive nature. 4 Paws Project brought in $600!! Thank you for all those who supported us. Of course, I placed all my blogger peeps that donated in a hat to draw for the Crazy M Photography swag as promised. And the winner is....

GAIL!!!

Congrats Gail! Send me an email with your info and I will have goodies on their way to you!

Thanks again to everyone that made this a wonderful fundraiser for the shelter!

When UPS Leaves Packages in My Yard...

2011-05-11T18:50:00.000-05:00

In preparation of Paws In the Park, I ordered Diesel a shirt to wear. He's gonna go with me to town and do the "woof" walk. So I designed a doggie shirt that says, "Team 4 Paws Project". And I was going to make me one. I know, goofy matching shirts! But we are a team so I thought we should have something with our name on it!

Anyhow, the shirt was suppose to arrive by UPS today. The UPS guy usually shows up around 6ish so I didn't think much of it. I think we're one of the last stops of the day for him. However, today, he must have been running early. As I drove up the drive, I saw extra lawn decorations.

Yep, the remnants of the package! So where might the contents of the package be? Well, watcha know, Diesel has it in his mouth!

Guess he knew it was his! He seemed so proud. Running around the yard with his shirt. Now I would have been astonished if he had been wearing it! He finally gave it to me after I bribed him with a treat.

Only one hole in it. I guess our team will go for the grunge look!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-11T05:00:00.000-05:00

Always Something...

2011-05-09T18:41:00.000-05:00

Yep, always something around here. Started off Friday night. The husband was on his way home from work. I was in bed when he came in. Heard him on the phone asking for a local town's police department phone number. Well, that peaked my interest! Of course, not enough for me to get out of bed. But he eventually came in the bedroom and I asked what was going on. He said a neighbor about 2 miles away had a huge fire burning. Okay, it's very windy and we are in a drought. Not to mention the burn ban. The husband said he initially thought it was their home. The fire was so large and the flames were 20 ft high. He didn't see any lights on at the house and didn't see anyone by the fire so he thought he better call it in.

Problem with that, we live in the corner of three counties. He called one county. They old him to call the other. So he did. Got the sheriff dispatcher. He was explaining the situation with her when she decided she needed to take a personal call. He sat there listening to her on another phone, then say, "hold on, I need to get back to this 911 call." SERIOUSLY! So he tried to tell her where the fire was. She couldn't figure it out.

We tried calling the local PD for the town that's only about 5 miles down the dirt road. Well, no after hours phone! Yea, you can only speak to the cops between 8-5! Ugh! Finally, about 40 minutes after the initial call, a fireman called the husband. He was trying to find it. He was not at the right place. The husband gave him directions. There were two fire trucks coming from towns over 20 miles away. There are two volunteer fire departments within 5 to 10 miles of the fire but I guess since they were in the wrong county? Who knows.

I tell the husband I want to go see the fire. So we get back in the truck and head over. Fire is still burning. It's not flaming like it was but again, the idiots should not have been burning AT ALL!! No law enforcement there. It had been over an hour since the husband called it in. We came back home. As we went to bed, the husband said, "well, now we know. If we have a fire, get what you can cause it's gonna burn to the ground before anyone will get here."

Then we woke up early Saturday. The husband and I were having his warehouse crew to our lease for a fishing/pizza party. They had done really well at work and this was their "reward". About 20 people were expected when he took a head count on Friday. I went to town and picked up the pizzas. He brought drinks, bought horseshoes and washers. Guess how many showed up? TWO!!!! I couldn't believe it!

But the two that did show up enjoyed themselves. They had never fished before! That's just so crazy to me. Twenty-something year old guys that have never fished. The husband showed them how to use a fishin' pole. They wouldn't take the fish off the hook. The husband was running around taking care of them. He said it was like fishing with little kids. At least the fish were biting.

This was my catch...

The stick and moss were an added bonus!

Then came Sunday. We were having a nice relaxing day. The husband let me sleep in. Then he cooked me breakfast. I asked if we could go to town for lunch. We got ready and headed out. Made it about 10 miles down the road when the neighbor called to say we had cattle out in the wheat field next to us. Geez louise! So I turned the truck around and raced home. The neighbor had pushed them into our drive and closed our front gate. They were contained when we got there. We got them and all the others penned up in the small pasture. We're gonna have to do a good examination of the fences before we let them back out. UGH!

So how was your weekend?

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T09:40:00.000-05:00

Whether you're a mother to humans or animals, you're abundant love is the same.

Happy Mother's Day to all!

My kids got me flowers, how sweet is that!

Exposed!!

2011-05-05T21:22:00.001-05:00

A secret love affair

between two unlikely souls

was discovered

thru the office window.

Who would have thought

this duo

would find love

thru the fence.

Yes, I caught Diesel saying

sweet nothin's in Itty Bitty's ear.

And after all the whispering, a simple kiss on the forehead.

I've raised a gentleman.

S#!& Happens!!

2011-05-04T18:30:00.002-05:00

Hello, I'm Workin' Here!

2011-05-03T18:00:00.000-05:00

I swear, I'm just trying to get a good picture. But the cows have another idea. Blackie kept sniffin' my camera. Seriously! How am I suppose to concentrate when I have a cow's nose breathing on me!

She was very interested in the whole picture taking process.

Then I had a feelin' something was coming up on me. I peer thru my lens to see this!

Yep, Stubby was intrigued with what I was doing on the ground too. "Mom, why are you on the ground among all the cows?"

I love photographing animals.

A Little Less Bull

2011-05-02T20:10:00.001-05:00

We're doing some reorganization around Crazy M. First, we got rid of our new breed bull. He kept getting out here at the house. We couldn't trust that he would stay in at the lease, where we need him, so he had to go. Plus he was mean. We don't want the responsibility of having a loose mean bull out and about. That left us with a predicament. What are we gonna breed to now?

Then after our other bull, Eyebrows, got into Mojo's pasture last week, we've had issues with him. He's been penned up with Stubby. I walk by his pen and he comes at me. He should be out of here this week. The husband said he really doesn't want any big bulls at the house. He'd rather sell them young so we don't have to deal with all their "issues" once they are about 3 years old. I have no problem with that.

That left us with Stubby. We've tried selling him. For some reason, it never goes through. Truth be told, I don't want to see him leave. Y'all know how attached I am to him. After we brought him home Saturday from the bullriding, I sat on his feed trough as he ate, thinking I would really miss him if he left. He really is "my" bull. There is a connection between us as strange as that seems. So I talked the husband into putting Stubby out on the cows. And boy was he happy! (Stubby that is!)

Busy Saturday

2011-05-01T08:27:00.001-05:00

My Saturday began with a 5K. First one I've ran since my injury last March. It was the Komen Race for the Cure so it was extremely crowded. Not a good race if you want a fast time. The first mile you're fighting with the mass of people. But I ran the entire way and finished without any pain in my Achilles! As soon as I finished, I ran to my nearby office and changed my clothes. I had to get to a bullriding!

We had a couple of bulls in a bullriding in a nearby town. I managed to get there just as the girls rode in with the flags. Great timing! Of course, I spent my time taking pictures from the stands and drooling of the event photographer's camera and lens. I think I need to make that my new tagline "Pictures from the Stands". Here are a few.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Just a Reminder

2011-04-29T15:04:00.000-05:00

Paws in the Park is quickly approaching. I have about 2 weeks to raise the remaining money to reach my $300 goal. I'm over half way there!!! For additional information on the event, you can read the post HERE.

I will place all my blogger peeps that donate in a drawing for over $50 worth of Crazy M Photography swag! Right now, there are only 4 in the drawing (thank you guys!). I'm sure they would like to keep it that way but I would love to have a bunch more to add. The donation amount is not a factor either. It can be $5. Every little bit counts to these dogs and cats.

All donations go directly to the shelter. Click on the shelter's link to go straight to the 4 Paws Project fundraising page.

Thanks for your support!!

Take Cover!

2011-04-27T21:51:00.000-05:00

Well we had a pretty exciting night yesterday. Severe weather was running rampant around these parts. I managed to make it home before it got to the house. Did my chores and got into the house. Weatherman said we were in a tornado warning. I wasn't real worried at that time. I was watching the cattle. They were grazing. Since they didn't seem to upset, I figured we were going to miss it.

A little bit later, the weatherman said the storm looked to be producing a tornado not far away from us. He actually circled an area that included where we live. So, of course, I go outside with my camera to watch the clouds. The husband called me to see what was going on. There was a reported tornado near his work too. They were taking cover in a vault. I told him nothing was going on here, not even rain.

The swirling clouds passed over us. I went back in the house and the power went out. Great! But I didn't think much of it. I had Mike, my awesome IPhone. I noticed there was another storm building up and headed this way. This one seemed to be a little worse. The news on my Facebook was saying tornado sirens were going off. Everyone needed to take shelter in nearby towns. And yes, it was coming this way! Okay, I'll keep a close eye on the posts. Well, Mike decided to take a nap. A long, I'm dead, kinda nap!

Fortunately, I had my work phone charged (which I tend not to do!). I got back on Facebook. The husband called me again. He was back in the vault. I was waiting for the storm to hit. Sure enough, it HIT! First it was the lightning. I was most worried about that. It is so dry around here. I did not want a fire. Then the rain and hail. Penelope and Diesel came in the house. Lucky was hiding and I couldn't get him in for the life of me. We hung out in the floor of the living room waiting for the storm to pass. Of course, it's pitch black but I did manage to find our good flashlight. Within about 30 minutes, the storm passed and the house was still standing. Yea us!

I was prepared though. I made a conscious decision to keep my bra on until after the storms passed. I didn't want everything to get blown away and be bra-less on TV when they came to interview me. Priorities people!

Conspiracy

2011-04-25T19:39:00.000-05:00

You ever have one of those days? We have lately at the Crazy M. I swear the animals are in a conspiracy against us. I told y'all about the new breed bull being two miles from the house the other evening. Well, Saturday we spent the day in our most favorite town watching a bull futurity and seeing friends. We got home about 6:30 tired and ready for an early bedtime. Right around dusk, Diesel started raising cane. I looked out the front and saw Eyebrows in Mojo's pasture. Mojo is the cripple, broke leg bull. He did not need to be in a fight. They were pawing the ground and head buttin' each other. The fight was fixin' to be on. So the husband and I threw on our boots and ran outside. We managed to get Eyebrows out of the pasture and in the arena. BUT he needed to move him from the arena into his pen. (He had busted the chain and clip on the gate between his pen and the arena!)

By this time, he is one angry bull. He chased me up a fence. The husband was yelling at me to "climb!" Believe me, I was. He wasn't bluffing. Then that left the husband in the middle of the arena with nothing to hide behind or climb up. I yelled at him asking where he was going to go. He said he didn't know! Luckily, Eyebrows ran back to the fence near Mojo. I ran to the barn, got my whip and the husband the hotshot. Then I let Stubby out in the arena to get Eyebrows. Eyebrows won't mess with Stubby. I was finally able to sook Stubby back into the pen and Eyebrows followed.

Just when I thought we were good, Stubby decided he didn't want to stay in his pen anymore. He started making laps, heading straight for the gate every time. He wanted to jump the gate so bad. We were on the other side of the gate, yelling at him to "STOP!" Of course it was dark by this time. We couldn't leave them in their regular pen now. They were all wound up. So we needed to move them behind the barn in a small pen. Fortunately, they didn't give us any grief gettin' them in there.

Then I was worried about my dad's horse being in the pen next to them. I didn't want them to try jumping out and getting in there with her. So I had to move her in the barn into a stall. We finally managed to get everyone situated. Needless to say, we didn't get to bed early! Diesel got treats though!

The next morning, I let Harley out. He started barking at the back. I looked out the door and didn't see anything but Miss Kitty. Harley never barks at the cat? Then I saw her, brindle heifer walking down the drive towards the barn. Seriously! What is going on around here! I slipped my shoes on and went out to put her back in the pasture.

I came back in the house and decided I needed to bake some cookies. That would make me feel better. I whipped up a batch of dough, went to throw them in the oven and what's this? Why is the oven cold? Ummm, yea, no propane!! So much for baking cookies or cookin' Easter lunch! I started eating the cookie dough to drown my sorrows until the husband took it away from me.

The husband decided we needed to attempt to catch the cows and breed bull at the house. Really? Have you noticed the issues we've been having? Do you really want to temp fate at this moment? Yes, he did. So we caught a few heifers that needed to be moved over to Mojo's pasture. Also loaded up Roscoe to take to the sale barn. We managed to stop for a chimichanga at the gas station for our lunch on the way to the sale barn.

After we dropped Roscoe off, we headed to the lease to check the cows there. We had a few more babies. Woohoo! No major issues, thank goodness! Stay tuned for the baby pictures. And guess what, Itty Bitty has a brother and he looks just like her!!

I Heart Faces-Pets Contest

2011-04-25T18:32:00.001-05:00

I've always wanted to enter an I Heart Faces contest. I never think I have anything good enough to throw in the ring though. But I saw this week was Pets! This was the one for me to finally try. So I pondered about what picture I recently took to enter. I just love this picture of Penelope. So here I go, my official first entry!!

Wish me luck!!

Happenings

2011-04-22T18:34:00.001-05:00

Can't believe it's been almost a week since I last posted. Let's see, what's happened 'round these parts.

Husband went out of town. I had to do my own laundry and dishes! THE HORROR! Yes, I am spoiled. Even one armed, he does the laundry and dishes. Well, I did give him a few months off. But he's in physical therapy now so it's good for him. ;)

Husband back in town. Happy dance. Not just because I no longer have to do the laundry and dishes. Cause I missed him. Entertaining myself is far less fun then entertaining him. So glad he's home. So was Penelope. She peed all over when he walked in the gate and pet her. She was excited. I wasn't THAT happy. I managed to control my bladder.

Neighbor called me yesterday to tell me his wife found our bull about two miles from the house! Excuse me. He's suppose to be right out here in the pasture! She "pushed" him down the road with her car. Thankfully, the bull cooperated and came straight home. I ran out and opened the gate. He ran right in. She said her husband told her not to get out of her car, "That is that crazy fighting bull." She said she had no intention of getting out of her car. I giggled. Yes, he's not the nicest bull but I walk out in his pasture every day to feed. Anyhow, she got him home for me. Thank you great neighbors!

This morning I went to the spay/neuter clinic to take the staff pictures. They weren't as excited as I was about the picture taking. Guess it wasn't their idea! But they humored me. Here are a couple of my favorites.

I have decided I need to find human subjects to practice on. Think that will boost my confidence when it comes to taking people pictures. Animals, I'm good. Add a person, YIKES! So I'm going to look for victims, I mean models.

Hope everyone has a beautiful Easter.

How Cool Is This...

2011-04-16T19:50:00.000-05:00

As I was leaving the shelter this morning, the director stopped me and asked if I had seen the Collin Street Bakery marque along the interstate. No, I said. I hadn't been out that way this week. She said, well, I think your pictures are flashing on it. Really! That's pretty awesome!

So I drove up the interstate to see for myself. Sure enough... there's Balto...

And that is Banjo...

And sweet Suess...

Miss Catalina...

The shelter was having an adoption event there today so the Bakery had been advertising. Someone mentioned they saw them on Thursday. How did I miss this?

I could have sat there longer just watching the pictures but I thought I might be making the gas station attendant nervous by just sitting cockeyed at the pump taking pictures out my truck window!

So Excited

2011-04-15T19:50:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited but I'm a little scared too! Why you ask? Cause people are starting to act like I'm a professional photographer or something close to it!

For example:

1. A childhood friend is getting married. She's a doctor in Dallas. She asked ME to take her engagement pictures! Seriously, she could afford any of the awesome photographers in the metroplex. She even offered to put me up in a hotel. Oh my gosh! I'm so nervous I'll screw them up or she'll be disappointed.

2. Last night, a high school teacher contacted me. She wants me to be on a panel of local photographers that will speak to 3 photography classes! My response, "if you really want a self-taught amateur, I'm in." She said yes, she wanted me. She loved the work I do with 4 Paws. I think I'm going to chew my nails off!

3. The director of a local non-profit spay/neuter clinic contacted me. She asked if I would be willing to take new staff pictures for them. Well, of course I will. They do so much for our community. I went in to speak with her today and see what exactly they wanted. They are so excited to have "professional" portraits taken. I told her to hold her excitement until after the pictures are done!

And..

Today, the shelter had a full page ad in the local newspaper. The majority of the pictures were mine. It's pretty awesome to see your pictures in print, knowing they are seen by thousands of people. I just hope they help find the dogs forever homes.

Okay, so y'all pray for me! And send me good vibes to take awesome pictures!!

Can't Help It...

2011-04-13T19:45:00.001-05:00

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.

You are his life, his love, his leader.

He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.

You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

-Unknown

(Sorry, I'm feeling very nostalgic today. I came across this quote and immediately thought of Zena.)

A Good Dog...

2011-04-12T20:21:00.000-05:00

‎"A good dog never dies, he always stays,

he walks besides you on crisp autumn days

when frost is on the fields and winter's drawing near,

his head within our hand in his old way."

- Anonymous

(Just a note, this is Lucky and he's alive and well. Just thought this picture went so well with the quote.)

Me and Miss P

2011-04-11T19:54:00.000-05:00

I can't believe how fast Penelope is growing. She's not my lil puppy anymore. Just a few weeks ago she looked like this...

Now she looks like this!

My girl is growing up too fast. She was 10 weeks old last Wednesday. We took her to the clinic for her second round of puppy shots on Sunday. She weighed 21 lbs! Last time we were there, she only weighed 9 lbs!

Now if I could get her over the fear of EVERYTHING outside the yard! I try to take her out to the barn when I feed in the evenings but she refuses to come in. She is scared of Miss Kitty. The noises of the bulls and horse right outside the barn frighten her. I held her in my lap yesterday and let her just sit there. She did okay. I took her to the gate where the bulls were congregated. She refused to look at them. No matter which way I turned, she would turn her head away. The husband went into their pen and she finally watched him. I don't push her very much though. I try to assure her she's safe while I'm holding her and only put her in those stressful situations for a few minutes. She is always so happy to return to the yard.

She's won the husband over too. He doesn't like to admit it but he can't hide it! He kept taking our pictures on the way to the clinic on Sunday! I don't blame him. Who wouldn't want to take pictures of these two babes! LOL!

Spring Favorites

2011-04-10T10:16:00.000-05:00

You just have to love this time of year. The grass is growing. The birds are chirping.

So here are a few of my favorite things.

Precious sleeping calves...

Milk mustaches!

Ornery boy fights...

Fields of wildflowers. Bluebonnets to be exact.

And Harley's yearly bluebonnet picture!

I can't believe some of y'all are still getting snow right now. We've had 90 degree temps the last few days. Here's hoping you can enjoy the beauty of Spring in the near future!

Paws in the Park

2011-04-06T19:09:00.001-05:00

Okay, I'm going to ask for your support in an endeavor I have going on right now. My alter ego, 4 Paws Project, is currently raising money for the local humane society. The annual Paws in the Park event is scheduled for May 14th. The community event promotes responsible pet ownership, pet health, animal education for children and a fun 1-mile Woof Walk. All money raised by the event goes directly to my shelter's life saving programs.

I've created a "walk team" and am working towards meeting my $300 goal in donations. Since becoming involved with the local shelter, my eyes have been opened to the great need in funds. It amazes me how they handle so many unwanted pets. The constant flow of people dropping animals off is astounding! My very small contribution of providing pictures of the dogs barely scratches the surface. But I have to say, I love when someone comes up to me and asks if I'm 4 Paws. That just means my pictures are getting seen. And I have to tell y'all this story. The other day a long time resident of the shelter was adopted. When asked why the person picked this particular dog, the lady said, "the picture just spoke to me." WOW! That makes it all worth it!

Anyhow, I got off topic! I am looking for team sponsors! Supporters of 4 Paws! But don't think you won't get anything in return. If you donate (any amount), you will be placed in a drawing for Crazy M Photography swag! Anything from prints to makeup bags to mousepads to cards. I'd say at least $50 worth of stuff!

And if that doesn't get ya, how about these faces you'll be helping out!

The link to my fundraising page is HERE. The animals thank you! And so do I!

Courtesy of the Wife's Mom

2011-04-04T18:09:00.000-05:00

Look what I got over the weekend! My mom read the blog and happened to "find" these pictures for y'all. They are via a cell phone thus the blur. But how funny! See me there on the left in my red shirt and red boots. I told y'all I remembered having my pants tucked in.

Apparently my dad won two races on this day.

Mom said there were a couple more with those red boots. Ahhh, those were the days!

Mudquest!!

2011-04-03T13:11:00.000-05:00

Yep, I did it again. Another adventure run in the mud. They did a much better job with the obstacles this go around. My BFF and I battled the 3.5 mile course. Our #1 goal-to survive. Our #2 goal-to finish before dark!! We accomplished both!

Here are some pics, courtesy of the husband...

Before we began, all nice and clean.

Our first encounter with the mud.

I don't know how they expected someone to walk across this. The klutz I am, there was no way. Crawlin' seemed the way to go.

I didn't care for his one. Mostly because I could see me falling to my death!

Too loose of ropes to keep us upright!

Now this one was crazy. Had to jump off this platform into 8 ft of water below.

There I go!!! It was pretty high. You can't even see the water below me! And yes, I held my nose. I'm not a water person. Believe me, it didn't help. When I hit, I still sucked water up my nose.

Mud was so sticky, it sucked BFF's shoe off her foot. Took both of us to get it out.

Finally, the last obstacle. A short swim and crawl under the wire.

And of course, we couldn't resist a little mud fight!

We were too dirty girls by the end. But it was loads of fun.

A Visitor to the Ranch

2011-04-01T20:16:00.000-05:00

We don't have visitors very often round these parts. Especially this kind! Can't ya tell by the inquiring bull!

I figured my horsey people would be happy to know that we finally have a horse on the place. The husband always says this is a horse free zone. Hate to tell y'all, he's not a fan of the horse. I know! Everyone has their faults though.

So are you wondering how this gal came to the ranch? Well, she belongs to my parents. My dad called me yesterday. She was at the racetrack in Grand Prairie. Apparently she came up lame with a bowed tendon. He needed someone to pick her up for him. Parents live a long way from the DFW area. Fortunately, daughter is not far. AND the horse trainer was actually coming thru my area today. So I met him at the truck stop on the interstate and loaded her up.

She'll stay with us until the end of May. We are traveling to my parent's house for my niece's graduation. So we'll take her home then. Much to the husband's dismay, we'll probably bring my horse home then too. Do y'all even remember Miss Priss? It's been so long since she's been here. She's doing great. Dad is working cattle on her at the feed yard. Couldn't think of any better training!

Little known fact about the Wife, my dad was a racehorse trainer when I was little. I spent much of my young days at the racetrack messin' with the horses. I wish I lived closer to my parents. I would get a picture of us in the winner's circle. I vividly remember one where I'm rockin' a pair of red boots, jeans tucked in. I was totally cool!

Serious Thinkin' Goin' On

2011-03-28T19:46:00.002-05:00

If we only knew what was going thru those minds?

Whatever it was, it required a discussion.

It must have been serious black-op donkey stuff. Things I'm not privy too. You know, only need to know info...

A Trained Bull Is a Good Bull

2011-03-24T21:12:00.000-05:00

Wanted to show y'all how my boys act when I feed. Like gentlemen...

Not only does Stubby listen well, so does Mojo. When I go into his pasture, I tell him the same thing. He has to get on the other side of the trough for me to feed. He listens and does as instructed.

I showed the video to my coworker this morning. He couldn't believe it. Of course, he's not a cattle person so his astonishment was more than I figure y'all's will be! He said, "They actually listen to you. Like they know exactly what you said." Then he asked how I did that. Told him I don't really know. I just tell them and they listen. Guess it's that "Bull Whisperer" thing! HA!

Cure All

2011-03-22T19:30:00.000-05:00

Thanks for all the support during my rant yesterday. The husband had called while I was typing the post. He asked what I was doing and I told him what I was writing but might not post it. He encouraged me to put it on the blog. He said it would make me feel better and my blog buddies would rally behind me. He's so smart! I did feel better and y'all are awesome!

I have another cure all for bad days. This girl makes any day better. Look at those eyes!

She is perfecting the "puppy dog" eyes! I mean really. How can you be mad at her for chewing on your leg when you look down and see this. Seriously, it's like kryptonite! And let me tell ya, she has the Husband wrapped around her lil paw!

Some Issues

2011-03-21T21:37:00.001-05:00

Yes, I have some issues. Or rather some bones to pick. Things that have been tickin' me off. So much so I dreamed about it last night and didn't sleep worth a darn!

Shall we begin....

-Just because we don't have high priced well known breeding in our cattle, it doesn't make them less than yours! (We can't help that you don't know the greats of year's past! And that they made the "well knowns" of the present!)

-Don't ask for help when you know nothing about the industry, then argue your way is better.

-Give our bull recognition for his accomplishments, placing WAY over your high priced breeding. But no, you just brushed him off. (He placed 4th!! So proud of him!)

-Don't listen to our advice when we sold you the bulls. Telling you which ones would be the best ones for competition. You take the BEST one to the sale barn! But you keep your "popular" bred bulls that don't perform.

Yes, I get a little upset when people don't give our stock the recognition they deserve, when they deserve it. They are my babies. A lot of time and energy were spent with them. Can you tell my button has been pushed?

I have learned a lesson though. Don't sell bulls to people that want us to also "help" them. I just get mad seeing what they do with our guys. It is better for me to send them to contractors that know what the heck they are doing or to someone we don't know at all. So then we will never be involved later. Best I don't know if you screw the bull up.

Okay, now that I have that off my chest, there is always a new crop coming up. This guys is actually a year old now. Our good friend bought him yesterday, along with a couple others. The same guy that had all those awesome bulls and heifers! Don't have to worry about them. They have a good home.

Sunday Buckin'

2011-03-20T20:23:00.000-05:00

We spent our Sunday at a good friend's house watchin' him buck his young bulls and heifers. Nothing better on a beautiful day!

If we could have a pasture full of guys and girls like these, we'd be ecstatic!! But I guess this is why our friend is one of the best stock breeders around.

The Grass Is Greener....

2011-03-18T19:02:00.000-05:00

on the other side of the fence!

I think the farmer next to us is trying to torture our cattle.

Just Had to Share

2011-03-17T20:14:00.001-05:00

This is one of the dogs at the shelter I photographed today...

How stinkin' cute is he!!

You can always follow me on Facebook thru the 4 Paws Project page!

Don't Hate

2011-03-15T19:00:00.002-05:00

I'm not trying to rub it in but we're having some awesome weather!!!

Caught...

2011-03-13T19:21:00.001-05:00

slackin' on the job again!

We did pour the cubes out for the lease cows prior to the nap! Promise!

Come Feed with Me

2011-03-10T19:32:00.000-06:00

So as I made my way out to the barn this evening, I thought, "hey, why not show y'all what I'm feeding." Really, it's not that exciting. But I don't have much excitement around here. Plus I'm at home by myself in the evenings with the husband back at work. Just humor me. ;)

I'm a routine kinda girl. Feed the same way every time in the same order. First I start with the big boys. These guys are the only two older ones left. We've sold everyone else.

Stubby and Eyebrows. They can be pretty ornery. I've had them run at me, throw their heads at me, not let me in the gate. I have to be creative sometimes. I have feed troughs in two different areas of the pen. If they are at one gate, I go feed thru the other. It's a cat and mouse game.

Then I feed Miss Kitty.

She won't let me get two steps in the barn without telling me she needs her dinner.

After I get her taken care of, then it's the young bulls turn.

Mojo is in with the lil bulls. He was the one with the broke leg. He was so happy to get friends in his pasture. But he's a turd when I'm trying to get in the gate. We usually have a stand-off. Eventually he figures out he won't get fed until he backs off and I manage to get in.

The heifers are next.

I pour breeder cubes out for them. We have a new breed bull out with them right now. So I'm pretty leary of him. He's pretty snorty and I never trust any bull new to the place. So I always keep my eye on him.

Now it's time for my sweet boys.

They've waited so patiently. Don't they look ready to eat! And of course, we can't forget Penelope!

I bought her puppy chow but she refuses to eat it. She will only eat the "big" dogs dry food. So much for me trying to get her the "proper" dog food!

So after all that, Diesel and I usually play a round of soccer while Penelope is chewing on my pants leg and Lucky is gettin' a good pettin'. It's kinda like patting your head and rubbin' your tummy at the same time while jumping on one foot!

Once that's done, I get Harley fed in the house and find me something to eat! Exciting, huh!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-09T05:30:00.000-06:00

A Change in Duties

2011-03-07T19:02:00.000-06:00

This weekend we got some chores done. Usually, putting out hay entails me opening gates for the husband and keeping the cattle at bay while he brings the round bales in and out of the pens and pastures. It's hard work....

Okay, so I have the easy job. Well, except when a bull and I face off at a gate. It happens but luckily I'm quick and crazy enough to stand my ground and win.

But now that the husband only has one arm, he gets to be the gate keeper while I put out the hay. He had to document my tractor driving yesterday.

Then he requested a backside shot of himself.

He's so goofy. I'd like to blame it on the pain medication but he's not on any.

Cha Cha Cha Changes....

2011-03-05T12:01:00.000-06:00

The grass is turning green around these parts. I love the signs of Spring!

And babies are being born!

And the husband bought me a new truck!

And I love it even though the dealer came and towed it from my work 4 days after driving it off the lot! Yep, long story. But hopefully the kinks will be worked out soon and I will have it back.

And we, or I should say I, brought Penelope home...

Diesel doesn't quite know what to think of this little girl. He's slowly learning to share. Or maybe just tolerate.

She was free from someone in the area. I had tried adopting three puppies from the shelter but they were gone before I could get there each time. Then I found her ad on craigslist. She's suppose to be a Ridgeback mix. That was what Zena was and she was such a great dog. So I went to check her out. The people had many dogs. The daddy was very much a ridgeback, momma not so much. So she's more mix than anything. She turned 5 weeks old on Wednesday. And I think the husband really likes her even though he's trying to keep it under wraps. I can tell!

Seems like I've been gone so long! I stay busy with the animals and work. I get in from work and take care of feeding. Then get in the house and usually crash. Haven't been on the computer much. The husband went back to work this week. He also started physical therapy on Friday. So he's pretty worn out each day. Hopefully, I'll get back in the swing of things and blog more frequently, if only to post a quick picture. Miss y'all!

What's This?

2011-03-02T20:37:00.000-06:00

An addition to the Crazy M?

Lots of new babies been showing up around here. More pictures to come!

Are Y'all Ready for a Winner??

2011-02-26T08:23:00.000-06:00

The selection process wore the guys out!

I really don't know why since I used the random number generator online! Geez!

So the winner of the $70 CSN gift certificate is.....

CAROLSUE!!!

Congrats to you! Just shoot me an email at crazymbuckers@yahoo.com and I will forward you all the information to redeem your certificate!

Also, my CSN contact said if anyone else wants to try their product reviews or giveaways, to contact him. If you're interested, email me and I will forward you his contact information! Why not spread the love around, huh!

President Day Giveaway!

2011-02-21T18:42:00.001-06:00

How did you spend your President's Day? Well, I had jury duty!! Way fun. Not really, it wasn't. Luckily I wasn't picked. So how do I make this Prez Day better? A giveaway of course!!

CSN Stores have been graciously giving me gift certificates for awhile now. I haven't heard anything but good things from all my previous winners so I continue to use them. And fortunately, they keep asking me to do more! If you've never been to their site, they have everything. You can get flip flops or adjustable bar stools. So I know the winner will find something to spend that free money on!

You want to know how much you're playing for? $70!! Yep, the gift certificate is worth $70, however, it does not include shipping costs (truthfully, there are bunches of free shipping items). You can use the certificate on any product at any CSN site.

How about some entry details....well, it's pretty dang simple. Leave me a comment. It can be about your day, a question for me, a question for the Husband, a request for a post, or just a nice how do you do! Anything, just leave me a comment. But you have to enter by 7pm Central, Thursday, February 24, 2011. The winner will be selected by random draw.

Good Luck!!

Oh, I couldn't leave you without a picture of one of our presidents.....love me some cowboy Ronald Reagan.

I'm Back!

2011-02-19T14:09:00.000-06:00

Phew, and worn out! The husband had his surgery on Monday. It took about 4 hours but all went well. Finally got him in a room around 6:30p that evening. We had many issues with the hospital. Imagine that. Nothing ever goes smoothly for us! I went back and forth, taking care of him and the animals.

He was discharged late Wednesday afternoon and so ready to go home. He was a plaid fashion nightmare though!

He did NOT enjoy the 3 miles of dirt road to the house. No matter how fast or slow I drove, the bumps were killing him. But I got him home and settled in as well as possible.

Thursday his dad flew in. Glad to have some back up cause I was really worn out. So tired I began doing really stupid things like cutting my finger with the aluminum foil box, sticking my finger in a cow's mouth only to get it back bloody! I mean really, I'm running out of fingers to bandaid!

So today, the Husband decided he was feeling good enough to go to the PBR in Dallas with his dad. We had tickets for an owner's suite again this year. Plus the friend they are going with has a parking pass for under the stadium. They can go under, valet park, then go straight from the elevator to the suite. I was worried about him getting bumped in the crowd but with that, he won't have to worry about the crowds. We'll see how well he does. I still think he'll be hurting a good bit just from the drive and being up and around. But of course, what do I know!! So I stayed home to rest and not deal with it! ;)

Hope y'all are doing well. I have a giveaway coming within the next couple days so check back with me!

New Baby

2011-02-11T18:25:00.000-06:00

We finally had a baby!!

One of the heifers we have at the house finally calved. I love having babies around here. We also had a baby at the lease. Too bad I don't get to see them every day. :(

Sorry I haven't been around this week. I've been sick with a stinkin' cold. I think this crazy weather did me in. Gonna be hit and miss next week too. The husband is having his surgery on Monday. I'll be going from the hospital to the house for a few days. Hopefully, he'll be out of the hospital after a couple days but they could keep him until Thursday. Hope everyone has a perfect Valentine's Day!

Mud, Water and Naked-ness

2011-02-07T18:42:00.001-06:00

So our pipes thawed on Saturday and all the snow melted away. And on Sunday we noticed this...

That's right, water!!!! So the Husband went under the house to check it out. Diesel was wondering what the heck he was doing.

After investigating on the drier side, he knew he would have to go in here. Where all the water was...

The leak is right under the porch on this side. Easily accessible. He wasn't a happy camper.

Diesel still doesn't know what is going on here! Turns out the leak is in the middle of a "t" in a galvanized pipe. So the repair job isn't as easy as we expected. So out he came and it was time to hose him off. He had me do it at first. Heeheehee! But soon he took the hose from me. Dang it!

It was a good thing the temps were in the 60s. Amazing, Texas weather. Go from the teens to the 60s in less than 12 hours. Gotta love it. He stripped in the yard. (Good thing we live out in the middle of nowhere!)

He kept thinking I was taking his picture after he put his clothes on the fence. I assured him I did not. But I did get his lil white leg...

I know, it's too much! Please try to contain yourselves!

Yep, It Happened...

2011-02-04T10:45:00.000-06:00

We got snow!

We've been below freezing since Tuesday. So we are miserable around here. Temps this cold don't happen much and if they do, it's only for a day or so.

Plus our hot water pipes are frozen. Not good. But luckily, it's suppose to be around 50 degrees tomorrow. We'll find out what kind of damage is done then. :(

Stay warm!!

Freezing Weather...

2011-02-02T07:00:00.000-06:00

My thoughts EXACTLY! Bleck!

Harley the Cow Dog

2011-02-01T09:30:00.000-06:00

Harley loves to go with us to check cattle. When he was younger, we had to hold him back cause he always wanted in the arena to chase the bulls. He also used to go with the Husband to feed. But a couple years ago, a cow got after him. Luckily it was very muddy and when she squished him into the ground with her head, he just mushed down in the mud. Now he's not as brave out in the pen. He tends to freeze instead of run so we keep him out unless we're carrying him around.

He's still spunky though.

Vicious, huh?! He didn't want Blackie close to him or the Husband. He was pretty proud of himself.

Isn't he just too cute!! Well, besides the hack job I did cutting his hair. But his cuteness still shines thru the bad haircut!

Rocket Science

2011-01-30T08:42:00.000-06:00

So how many people does it take to change a tire? Well, apparently, it takes two plus a couple hours, many tools and about three chapters of an owner's manual!

Why is removing your spare from under your truck so complicated?? In the 3+ years I've had the truck, we've never gotten the spare out. Thank goodness I wasn't along some busy road when I needed it.

Here's the story in pictures.

It all started with this....

Then there were more "steps" then we knew about. So we took turns looking at the manual. It keep taking us to different places..."if this doesn't work, go to page 592."

The husband thought he would man handle it...

After he threw the truck's equipment aside....

Went to our back-up jacks. There was a secondary release that wouldn't come loose...

All this work tuckered the dogs out...

Finally! Got the stupid latch released. This was the cause of all our problems...

Woohoo, the tire is out...

And now it's on....

Too bad it was FLAT!!!

Yep, after all that, the spare was flat. Really good thing I was at the house! I think I may invest in AAA.

When There Are No Answers...

2011-01-28T18:57:00.000-06:00

Crazy M has been in mourning. We've lost one of our babies way too young. She was a feisty lil thing and will be missed.

We don't know exactly what brought it on but Ruby jumped on Pepper late Wednesday night. Pepper never warmed up to Ruby. She would bark at her and occasionally snap at her. Ruby must have snapped back this time. With the size difference, Pepper didn't make it. It was just a horrible situation.

We are now looking for Ruby a new home. One without small dogs. We just can't take a chance she may hurt Harley, even by accident. The husband is allowing me to keep her at the house for now. I really don't want to stress her by taking her to the shelter. Depending on how long it takes, I may not have a choice. The entire situation has been so draining.

Takin' the Cow by the Horns

2011-01-24T19:43:00.003-06:00

Yep that's how I roll. You don't go where I want, I wo-man handle you! Or really, I just play steerin' wheel with your horns. With va-room, va-room noises of course!

Crazy M Meets Trainwreck!

2011-01-23T10:58:00.001-06:00

Bloggin' has brought some awesome people into my life. This past Friday, I was lucky enough to meet one of my bestest bloggin' buddies. We met several years back when I first started. Hit it off right from the beginning. We had so much in common. We call ourselves sistas. I've even had people ask if we were actual sisters! If so, she got all the looks and I got the big thighs!

So Trainwreck, of Cowboys, Kids and Sunsets, and her husband came to Texas! I was SOOO nervous to meet her in person. But when we sat down at the restaurant, it seemed like we'd known each other for years! Well, we had but still....it's different! We chatted for 3 hours! Of course, our husbands hit it off too. We finally left so the waitress could make some money. Can you believe neither one of us took a picture that night?

Saturday, we invited them to go buck calves with us. They would get to meet Rent-a-Husband. I was so happy when they agreed to go! Of course, the husband put her cowboy right to work in the arena.

I think the boys were having fun.

Trainwreck and I were enjoying ourselves too. Taking pictures, chattin', watching the boys, what's better than that?

I am so happy we finally met in person.

Now to wait until she can move closer. Then the real trouble will begin. I can see us gettin' into lots of it together!

It was a great weekend! Meetin' bloggin' friends is really cool. I hope I get to meet more along the way!

Help Needed!

2011-01-19T19:06:00.001-06:00

A friend from the shelter sent me a link yesterday about a pet photo contest. Bissell is holding a weekly contest (for 12 weeks). The top voted for photos are then eligible for the grand prize which includes a $10,000 donation to a charity of the winner's choice. Of course I had to enter. I would love to be able to provide that kind of donation to the shelter where I volunteer. So know I need your help. Harley and I need VOTES!! Our week started today and will last till next Tuesday, 1/25. You can vote once daily. Only thing you have to do is register on their website. They ask for your email address and physical address. The site states it asks for both to stop bogus voting.

Just click on his picture below and it will direct you to the site. It's a long shot to win the entire deal but it doesn't hurt to try, right?

Thanks!!

Sunshine!!!

2011-01-18T19:19:00.000-06:00

Finally we have sunshine!! I'm so excited. The grey skies were getting pretty gloomy. But the rain was even more ugly! We got about 8 inches and everything is soaked.

This was the backyard on Sunday morning.

Our bull pens were just as bad. I took this picture yesterday evening.

Just a muddy mess. We penned and loaded some bulls in this on Monday morning. Good thing we didn't need to get anywhere fast! I wasn't very speedy sloshin' thru that muck.

But truly, I was just happy to see this...

sun glaring off the water!!

Other than that, not much else going on. We are waiting for our heifers to calve.

Stubby and Eyebrows are waiting on treats!

And the dogs are waiting for the Husband to come home.

I Hang My Head in Shame

2011-01-14T18:14:00.000-06:00

I have a skeleton in my closet.

A dirty little secret.

Please don't judge me.

But I must come clean...

I still have Christmas decorations up!!!!

Well, only out at our entrance. All the other decorations have been taken down for weeks now.

I've just been too lazy and it's been too cold for me to walk out there and take them down.

Ahhhh, cleansing breath. I feel so much better now that the secret is out.

Promise to get them down this weekend....well, if it's warmer and not raining and after the football game and if I'm not playing with Diesel, or if I'm not busy helping the husband or if I'm not taking a nap or if......

Grace is My Name....

2011-01-13T19:25:00.000-06:00

Hurting myself is my game. Yep, that's right. I've managed to hurt myself again. Really, it's not surprising. I do it on a regular basis. But this time, it brought me to my knees.

It all started with this...

Diesel and his soccer ball. Harmless, right? Well, I thought so too. I was playing soccer with Diesel like every night when I get home. But this time, instead of making contact with the ball, I smacked the frozen ground! Really, I have no idea how I did it. I'm gifted in hurting myself. I excel in this arena.

So I immediately felt pain coming from my big toe. I actually sat down in the yard. But when I saw Diesel coming at me with the ball, I figured I better get up or he would be on top of me. I made it to the living room chair. (Okay, here I must again explain that I hate blood. It makes me light headed. Even the thought that it may be coming forth out of my body sends my head a swirling.) My ears started ringing. I could feel the end of my sock was wet. I sat there for a little bit then decided to take my boot (suede fuzzy boot) off. The end of my sock was bloody but not bad. That was a good sign. I knew I was going to have to take that sock off.

I went to the bedroom to lay on the bed. I figured if it grossed me out and I passed out, at least I would be on the bed! So I worked my sock down my leg and foot to the toe. Eek! My toenail was at a right angle to my toe! I bent it backwards. Ick! Good news, I didn't pass out! I took a picture of my toe and texted it to the husband at work.

Of course, he calls wondering what the heck happened. I explained and then he lectured me on wearing those "house shoes" outside. Which they are not but he doesn't see it that way.

I tried cutting the nail that was sticking up but couldn't. It hurt way to much. Was gonna put hydrogen peroxide on it but it was in the barn. So I found some horse ointment in the house and used it. It throbbed all night. Who knew a toe could hurt so bad.

Had to wear my wide toed barn shoes to work today. Couldn't get anything else on. I have court tomorrow. Plan to wear them again. Hopefully I won't need to testify on anything! If so, hope the Judge doesn't look at my feet.

I showed the husband what it looked like this afternoon. Then I was able to cut the nail off. He told me I was "one tough wench". Ahhh, that's a compliment coming from him!

Now I'm self medicating with chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. I think it's a miracle cure cause I feel no pain!

The Wife Speaks!

2011-01-11T21:22:00.001-06:00

I know, it's very scary! But I saw this on two of my pals blogs, Nicole and Goodwife. It looked like fun. It's called a dialect vlog. Checkin' out how we speak around these parts. I really enjoyed watching their videos and putting a voice to a face. Thought it was a great idea. After viewing my video though, maybe not so much! I make the dorkiest facial expressions. And I couldn't even think of some answers (rolly pollies!). But I didn't want to do it again. So you got the Wife unedited!

So there is a list of words to pronounce and a few questions to answer. They are:

Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught

What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
What do you call gym shoes?
What do you say to address a group of people?
What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?
What do you call your grandparents?
What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
What is the thing you change the TV channel with?

So try it and give yourself a voice! We're all waiting to hear it!

Crazy M Updates

2011-01-10T19:29:00.000-06:00

So, I guess I need to update y'all on a few things....

1. Mad Dog is still on butthead's place. One of the nice neighbor's finally got in touch with butthead. He said our bull was still there. He just hadn't gotten around to penning his cattle to catch him. So nice neighbor said he would try to do it this weekend. We told him that would be great. If he did catch him, just put him in with his cows. Mad Dog may be 3 years old before we ever get to buck him once! Oh well, we're just happy to know he's still there.

2. Husband went to doctor today to schedule his shoulder surgery. He will have shoulder replacement surgery on February 14th. So he calls me this morning to check the date. I say "You're gonna have it on Valentine's Day?" He says, "That's Valentine's Day?" Then, "Yea, the ladies here say that is Valentine's Day." Yea, I don't need verification! So our V-day will be spent at the hospital. I told him he better get me something good beforehand! :)

3. I finally started back running! Well, I'm taking it very slow. Run about 2 miles at a time but take several days off in between. My achilles is usually pretty sore the next day or two. I still have a goal to run a marathon this year. I want to take it easy. Figure I have all year to build up to it.

4. I closed my photography booth at the craft store in January. Just wasn't making enough to even cover the rent. But I'm okay with it. Still have my website. It's a lot cheaper to maintain. And I added a Facebook page. Haven't been good at updating though. :(

5. Have found my passion. Dog photography. I absolutely love taking the dogs pictures at the shelter. And I think I'm good at it. The shelter really likes me and treats me so well. Just waiting to win the lotto so I can spend more time doing it!

But a few things still remain the same, the love for my husband and our life here on the Crazy M Ranch. I continue to be blessed in 2011. I'm truly a lucky girl.

While the Other Kids Played...

2011-01-08T17:44:00.000-06:00

Roscoe took full advantage of a walk-thru hayring!

Our Awesome Kids

2011-01-06T21:17:00.000-06:00

I think my kid is a soccer superstar. I know parents always think their kids are the best but mine truly is. Diesel is an all-star goalie. Any team would love to have him guard their goal. And he takes his practice very serious. He practices day and night.

The husband tries to fake him out. As you can see, it doesn't work! He's gettin' really good. Santa brought him the new soccer ball for Christmas. It's his third one. But he still likes playing with the flat ones too. He can grab them out of the air really well.

Then we have our smarty pants kid, Pepper. She never ceases to amaze us. After I told the husband what she did today, he said she needs to be in gifted and talented. ;o) What did she do, you ask? Well, when I got home she ran in the house. So I let her stay in while I was changing my clothes. I walked thru the living room and she was at the closet. Showing me there was something in there. She does that outside when she finds a mouse under the doghouse. Anyhoo, I go to the closet and ask her if something is in there. She tells me yes. I'm thinking great, I really don't want a mouse in the house. But at least Pepper is here and she'll catch it. She's an awesome mouser. So I open the door and guess what was in there.....her tennis ball! I didn't even know her tennis ball was in there. I think our dog may be too smart for us!

Girls Gone Wild

2011-01-04T06:46:00.001-06:00

We put out hay again. Never ending chore this time of year. However, this time, the calves were FULL of it! Let me show you the importance of a hay ring.

There is actually a ray ring around that bale. But it's all broken from the bulls and cattle. We put it in the calf pen thinking it would be okay. Well, they showed us otherwise. I think it's time for a new one!

See, I told you they were full of it! And this girl will come especially!!

Helpin' the Neighbor

2011-01-02T18:58:00.000-06:00

Our neighbor called this evening. Asked the husband if he would put out hay for him. Neighbor hurt himself and couldn't do it. Of course, the husband told him. So off he went to take care of it. I ran out to the road to take pictures cause he's not hayin' just any 'ol regular thing, he's hayin'....

buffalo!

The neighbor got some a few years ago. I think he said he took them in a trade for hay or farming. Neighbor does a lot of trading.

Hayin' them is easy though. Just dump the bale over the fence into their hay ring.

They seemed very excited! And this one below, has a gigantic head!

I hope they have babies. He had one a couple years ago. It was too cute. And they are an attention getter around here. We don't usually have much traffic. But you can always tell when someone new comes down the road, cause they usually go real slow . Or turn around to come back and get a second look.

Pearl's Mani and Pedi

2010-12-31T11:00:00.000-06:00

While my parents were here, I took advantage of my dad's skills. I asked him to please bring his horseshoein' tools so he could take care of Pearl's feet. They had grown out so bad. I'm a bad donkey owner! Most of them had broken off but they still needed tended too.

Dad was gracious enough to help his daughter out. ;)

I sure wish my parents lived closer. There are lots of things they could teach us. He had tried to tell me before that I or the husband could trim them. Just get a rasp and nippers. But I told him I didn't think it was that easy!

Thank goodness for parents!

Busy Picture Takin'

2010-12-30T11:08:00.000-06:00

Wow, it's been a week since I've posted! Been a little busy round these parts. The husband and I had a nice Christmas at the house. Then my parents and niece came on Monday. While they were here, I attempted to take her senior pictures. Of course, it rained both Tuesday and Wednesday! Cloudy, no sunshine at all. But we made due with what we had. Here are a few of my favorites. Tell me what you think.

This is my first attempt at senior pictures. Well, really, at "people" pictures. I think they were happy with some of them. But it helps bunches when the subject is so pretty!

From Us

2010-12-23T18:40:00.003-06:00

to each and every one of you...

May your holiday be filled with joy.