BRAVEHEART PICTURES

hey all, scroll all the way to the bottom of my page.....got some pictures from Braveheart, not too many action shots but you can see a lot of my "girls", our furry therapists and also a shot of our youngest rider who is only 2 1/2 and has only been riding with us for 4 weeks.

The Countdown Has Begun

so, you ever start a project and think you are just never gonna get it done.....yeah, I got a bunch of those right now. just look at my house!! anyhoo, January of 2007 I started out on an adventure called Veternarian Assistant School. in looking at everything that has happened in my life since then, it really feels like a century ago, but hey, its only been a little over a year and a half. well, here's the kicker, I gotta be done with all my classes by Nov 7. 13 short days from now, I will be done (barring any late shipments of course work of course). wow, where did the time go. 2 weeks and I've finally finished something I started. I know that might sound a little weird to say, but I've always been great out of the gate but worn out by the backstretch so never quite made it to the finish line. so, this may not seem big to most other people, but this is nowhere short of a miraculous new beginning for me. still can't believe its almost over. now, where I'm going with it or what I"m doing with it only God knows that one. But at least I'm gonna finish with my "A" intact!! :o). so, if ya don't see me in my usual places during the week, don't worry, haven't backslidden or fallen off the face of the earth.....just got my face buried in a book!, that is, if the post office delivers the rest of my books today....can't study without the books.

Pups are good, noisy and messy as ever. However, they've all joined me back in the bed so its nice and toasty during nappy time!!..this is really weird, but I never get cold. I live for this time of year, t shirts and shorts while I laugh at everybody else thats freezing. Well, guess who ain't laughing anymore. For the first time that I can remember, I am freezing my tushy off!! Don't like it, can't seem to wear enough clothes to stay warm. How did that happen? I apologize to anyone I have ever laughed at for being cold (Amy, that would be you dear) I get it now and I'm not liking it. Hey Mic, I might need to borrow Chief for the winter.....need a new winter coat!! LOL!!

Ramblings from the Ranch

Howdy Pardners
Been a tough week at the ranch. Chief said goodbye (or woof for you canine followers) and went home to his daddy. Kinda quiet around here now except for the usual sounds of my 3 stooges. Miss our morning snuggle time...however, Riley and Shadow are making up for that by joining Bear and I in the bed first thing in the morning. Ok, mental picture alert...picture me, 1 130lb dog, 1 30lb dog and 1 25 lb dog all in a double bed....ain't a whole lotta room and momma's usually the one pushed to the floor. But, if you've never experienced a "dogpile" you just ain't experienced life. Just something about the 3 of them and me all in a pile, wrestling and snarling and woofing....makes for a good morning. Sorry you missed it Chiefers.......you'll have to come visit again.

Life at the horse farm was a little rough this past weekend. Mares can get a little moody, especially if they are in heat. Ouch! Got myself horsebit 3 times this past weekend. Once in the shoulder and twice in the gut. Don't recommend it, hurts just a wee tad bit, but hey, as long as there ain't no blood.....The first bite in the morning really surprised me. Penny is one of the sweetest natured pony's I"ve ever met. Now pony's can generally be moody, especially if they are around full size horses...its kinda like they've got a chip on their shoulders and something to prove because they are the shortest ones in the pasture (hmmm...sounds a little like your's truly at times..go figure). Anyhoo, Miss Penny just wasn't herself Saturday, making all kinds of weird moans and whinnies and out of the blue she took a swing at me. Missed me, phew, that could've hurt. But then I let me guard down and bam, right in the shoulder, got me right between her huge front teeth. Didn't tear my shirt and no blood so no big deal, right? Wrong...little while later in the morning she took another swing at me and barely nipped me in the gut. Again, no torn clothes and no blood. I can do this, no problem. Most of the rest of the day was uneventful. Several lessons didn't show so we had some time on our hands to talk and get to know each other. Afternoon lessons usually involve our 2 most difficult ponies, Peaches and April. Hopefully soon, I"ll have some pictures of the "girls" to post. Anyway, Peaches is built like a mac truck and has to be the most beautiful golden pony I've ever seen. Looks can be deceiving though, when she's in the pasture or just hangin out, she's wonderful. When there is a rider on her back, look out, she will take you in a heartbeat. I love Peaches and haven't had any issues with her...yet. Saturday I got to work with April. First time with this one, she's old and grumpy and her personality is way worse than Peaches reputation. I groomed her and fed her no problems whatsoever. Got a rider on her back and she changed. No sooner had we started when she started swinging out to bite me. Missed me three or four times and I got a tighter grip on her halter. The Director was giving instruction to the rider and we were coming towards her, I shifted my attention for one second and wham, she got me...right in the stomach. I thought the director was going to have heart failure. Are you ok, are you bleeding....she made such a huge deal out of it. Now don't get me wrong, I understand her concern...I just hate having a big deal made out of anything and we had a rider up and I wasn't bleeding, stomach hurt but I think my pride was hurt more than my stomach. I just wanted to finish the lesson. She asked if I wanted her to take over and I told her no. I knew if I gave her the pony, I'd be afraid of her from here on out. I was determined to finish the lesson. Director decided she would take over for a while and I had to fight feeling defeated, like I"d failed somehow because I got bit and the pony was taken away from me. She did finally give her back to me and let me finish the lesson, she still tried to bite me again but I had a good grip on her this time. I succeeded by finishing the lesson. The rider dismounted and I took April back to her pen....she didn't try to bite me once after the rider dismounted, go figure!! Still have a real pretty bruise on my stomach but the bruise on my pride is still a little bigger. Thats ok, I'll redeem myself this weekend back at the ranch!!

For all you students out there, you will appreciate when I say, its "crunch time". I"ve got about 3-4 weeks to go and I will be finished with my veterinarian assistant courses....I can't believe the 2 years is almost up. I"ve got 11 more classes/tests to go and not very much time to do it in. I need focus, concentration, quiet and time to get it all done....just in case anybody feels like praying, that would be awesome.

Well its bedding down time at the ranch, the old man is sprawled in the doorway, Bear just flopped down next to him and the big dog is somewhere in the house....can hear her snoring already.


oh, I guess I should mention that Dad has been sick and apparently has bladder and kidney cancer. they removed the tumor in his bladder this past Friday, not sure what they are doing with the kidney yet.

Pawprints, friendship and rambling

Well, my "kids" are enjoying another house guest this week. well at least I think they are enjoying him. Chief Jenson is staying with us for 2 weeks. I"m enjoying him immensely. I forgot how playful puppies can get when they are around other dogs. Riley is so old and grouchy that he keeps biting the poor boy and making him yelp. Sorry Mick, your pup may be a little scarred up when you get him back! Have you ever wondered what its like to hold a baby polar bear, well, Chief is like that. all white and fluffy and his eyes, omg, he has got the most amazing eyes I've ever seen on a dog. You know you've got a good dog when you can look him in the eyes and see such depth and understanding and feeling. Poor Chief, he wanted to play with Riley last night and Riles had his fill of it and all I heard was a snarl and a yelp. Next thing I know, I've got a giant snowball jumping into my lap and looking at me like, "help me, save me from the old mean doggy". He was just so adorable. I held him until he calmed down. Its such an amazing thing to hold one of God's creations in your hands and watch them relax as you stroke them and talk to them. Bear wants nothing to do with him, he gets within 10 feet of her and she growls. Shadow on the other hand, is actually enjoying his company. She's got someone to wrestle with and boss around. I've actually seen her big booty bouncing across the yard chasing after him. Anybody that can get that big dog to move is a miracle worker!! There's just something about puppies, such a sweet innocence and playfulness. The whole world is a playground for them. Somebody should bottle the smell of puppy breath...I'd buy it in a heartbeat.


I've come to the conclusion that God has a sense of humor, besides the fact that He created me, lol!! Only God could manuever the lives of 3 people that just didn't seem to fit anywhere and grow them into an amazing friendship. We've always been friends, but out of the blue, God has kicked us up a couple notch's. It could only be God that worked this, no other way. When one of us has a bad day, the other 2 pick them up. Whats really amazing is when we have a day like today...all three of us had a totally rocking day, amazing breakthru in issues we've had for sometime. Its great when other people are excited about whats happening in your life. It makes it mean so much more. We don't have to pretend we are something that we aren't, we are accepted for exactly who we are, good and bad. I don't get it, don't know how it happened but I am so grateful for it. Life is hard and when you are alone, it can get pretty crazy. Its nice to know you got somebody watching your back to let you know when you've stepped too far into crazy and can help pull you back.

Got great news from my neurologist today. All my tests came back better than they have ever been. I"m in the best shape I've ever been in 39 1/2 years. WooHoo!!!!! Go God!!

Ok, I've rambled long enough and I"m sure most everybody is asleep......I hear you snoring!!!! Wake up, live life, take a risk....in the end you might find out its worth it!!!!!!