Can you say HECTIC

Running here-
Running there -
Painting this-
Drawing that-
Chasing kids-
Riding horses-
Teaching-
Cooking and Cleaning(sporadically)-
and amongst all that trying to sleep a little.

The last few weeks have been so busy - but also rewarding.
If you click on the link to Lindsay's sight you can see the cool mural we have been doing at my school. It has been a LOT of WORK , but oh what an experience.

Working with the teachers, the kids and all the staff in a different way has been amazing and made me appreciate what a wonderful place that I have had the opportunity to be apart of - Way to go ROCKY HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!

I will stick in my own pictures of it later, but haven't had time to get behind the camera. Look for us all in the paper too and if you are interested please come to the
ART AUCTION
where this will be sold on April 5th.

Still excited

This weekend was pretty darned good...

To begin with you need to read the last post to know about my office and then...

I went to a barrel race yesterday - I didn't win any money, but I did have a great victory!!!!

Annie - my new horse - ran a 17.9!!!

Ok... on Daisy that would be a dissapointment, but on Annie this is such an accomplishment. Before that the fastest we had been was an 18.3 and it was a struggle.

The last run was so smooth, and easy and she has so much more to give...

I am just so LUCKY!!!!!

Daisy did well too, but slipped on her second and hit it.

She is as awesome as ever and I can't wait to

RODEO!!!

Hey, needing a fuel sponsor if anybody is interested... Ha!! Ha!!

I'm so excited

Oh - boy - oh - boy!!!

In December I bought this wonderful new computer and for the last couple of months I have been balancing it on my lap surrounded in piles of junk in the room I called...

THE HOLE!!!

Hated to do any kind of work in there and so -
the hole grew worse and worse!

To add to the frustration of the hole I also had three pieces of expensive hardware that were not functioning correctly - my scanner , my old computer, and my printer! My aggravation mounted daily; as I had projects that needed completed, and could not be ended without these vital tools.

Today is a new day....
Growing weary of borrowing my mother's scanner and printer I bucked up, headed to Office Max, and purchased one of my very own!!!
This was the beginning of the end of the hole!

Out with the old and in with the new...
three garbage bags,
one cupboard,
an old scanner,
an uncooperative printer,
and a bug ridden computer later...

the hole is GONE!!

Completely rearranged or Fungsheid (not sure how to spell it, but it sounds impressive)...
Ready to be a productive part of my world.

YEAH!!!!

Plumb Lucky...

That's me... I am just lucky! I have been blessed with so many things and I thought I should make a list. Always good to do this so you can check it on those days when you find yourself wallering in self pity!

I have...

• two eyes to view the numerous splendors of every day.

• one husband who is scared to death of horses, can't hardly draw a stick figure, but always supportive of everything I do;



• two beautiful, healthy, intelligent and caring children;



• one beautiful, organized, always honest mother who I can count on to take care of me, my kids, and my business - plus she will always tell me when something I do stinks;



• two amazingly talented horses who are going to win a ton for me and always do their very best;



• one beautiful home in a safe and quiet neigborhood;



• two jobs, one that pays the bills so I can live, and one that I live to do ( hopefully this one will soon take over... crossing our fingers);



• one talented brother who I know loves me even though he never says it



• two sets of grandparents that also love me and do say it;



• one adorable dog with floppy ears, matted fur and an oversized heart;



• two computers to work on (one is definately better and I am all that more thankful for it)



• one tough truck that can haul me to my many destinations;



• many friends, and family that I can depend on,



• a multitude of artistic talent that I am learning to expand on every day,



• but, most of all a loving God that has blessed me in so many ways that I can never say thank you enough!

This is the shortened an condensed version of my list, but even at this I am sure you can see why I am so DARNED LUCKY!!! Hope you all have half as much luck as me!

New belts... with matching buckles soon to come!

I am always trying to come up with something new for my customers.

Here are my latest accessories your wardrobe can't be without!

All the belts are genuine leather with sterling silver conchos

and lots of blingy Swarvoski crystals!

Please click on the pictures to see them up close and large!

Steer belt and running horses belts size M.
(both are available at this time in size L)
$119 each

Black Guns and roses belt is size (M) Very showy, but will not fit through belt loops! ($169)

Brown lucky horseshoes with roses and barbed wire is size (L) also ($169).

More edgy roses with barbed wire - no matching buckle at this time - Size (S) $150
Matching buckle can be ordered.

All star rodeo cowgirls are kickin' it up on this cute belt. Size (L) - $119

Another wooly ride is featured on this belt with matching conchos accented in pink crystals -
Size ( M) - $119

Cute kickin' it cowboy boots and daisies - always a classic - size (L) $119

Whimsical steers will stir up lots of attention on this belt - Size (XL) $119

Also... soon to come - buckles to match the belts... Don't miss them!!

All my belt designs are Kickin' It originals -

Please respect my work and refrain from copying my images.

Any of these belts can be ordered in other sizes or colors.

Please feel free to e-mail me with questions or orders. - hawkinsm@eotnet.net

Goofy things I think are cool!

Since I discovered the new view from behind my camera I have found a lot of goofy things that can look really cool. Wish I could have it with me at all times, but such is life.



An old metal hose hanger... Bare naked trees...

old buggy wheels and... even a rusty manure spreader!

So many more things I would like to share, but my computer patience is beginning to wane.

So till I pop up again... have a kickin' it good time in all you do!

Back in the saddle again...

Okay... maybe I have been back in it for a couple of months now, but it had been 5 months since I last ran my horses at a rodeo or barrel race. Given that length of time off of the barrel pattern, inclement weather conditions, and a busy life; I was completely tickled with my first race of 2008.



I have been working on getting together with my newest addition, Annie, and feel that we are finally making some headway after a change in headgear. At Christmas, upon restarting her exercising, I had an epipheny that maybe part of Annie and my conflict revolved around the bit in her mouth ( so cliche' I know... all barrel racers blame it on the bit). Anyway I decided to get rid of the bit and went for what most barrel racers would consider a non-traditional approach - a hackamore. For those non-horsey people out there - a hackamore consists of a nose band with cheek pieces, but no bit. Generally considered ranchy and fit only for teamropers and such. This seemed to be an instant success... Almost immediately the head shaking ceased and slowly her attitude has turned from sour to sweet. So last weekend I took her in a time only... too cheap to dish out the big bucks for competitive run, but next time I will. She was great. I have a "NEW HORSE"!

Daisy my "old" horse ( only because I have had her the longest ) returned to the course in her true Daisy fashion. How could I expect anything less. I placed 5th in the 1D on her and no there were not only 5 girls entered! There were 100 to be exact - pretty amazing turn out for the middle of February.

The day was an overall success!!! I was completely tickled after a 5 month lay off. The weather was beautiful to boot! Sorry no pictures at this time

Extraordinary

Aint this extraordinary... these beautiful sunsets are god's gift to us after a long day!

Something extraordinary

Every day something extraordinary happens, and just once in awhile we are lucky enough to realise it. Here is my story.

It started on just an ordinary ranch,

with almost ordinary cows,

(don't mind the glowing eyes - they are not really posessed - we hope!)

calving in an ordinary barn...

and it ended with and extraordinary little calf!!!!

What is most extraordinary about this little guy is not the 2 extra legs dangling from his neck, but his sense of pride and joy with life.

He jumps, kicks, headbutts and makes a regular nuisance of himself just like any
"ordinary" kid...

So if you are feeling sorry for yourself, bad hair day, feeling fat, maybe you got a little blemish - remember this extroardinary calf!

Some of my latest creations...

Some fun new jewelry... non western too.

Double click on a picture to see it large...




And more great sunglasses...




fun designs that can be customized!!!

All these are available at the Petal Pusher in Hermiston, OR.

Stay tuned for more Kickin' It designs by Michelle.

Future Postings...

Stay in tune... This weekend I should be posting some freakish pictures of a six legged calf that was born at my mom's house.
Also, some of the latest artwork I have been working on will be featured in upcoming articles. If you see something you like or you think someone else would like let me know. Most of it is for sale if it is not already sold!

Health...

What is health?

• physical fitness


• healthy eating choices


• lack of ailments


• sanity


• personal hygiene


• sexuality

Yesterday I attended a Health committee meeting arranged to determine the most important aspects of health that we needed to teach kids so that they could be healthy for the rest of their lives. The spectrum was broad, but we narrowed it down. Of course we were all powered by a healthy breakfast of cinnamon rolls, and refueled by a protein packed snack of peanut M&Ms. All was not lost because most of us ate nutritious chicken salads drenched in ranch dressing. Over all I think we blew healthy eating right out of the water. After the day was done... many laughs were had - especially during the sexuality and high risk behavior sections. ( Our group posted this goal - "practice high risk behaviors"...Oops-forgot the prevention! How embarassing...)

All of you with children in the school system should feel better knowing that we are preparing them for a "healthy" life.

The Gift

My brother's Birthday is today. The big 30!!! Usually I buy him a practical gift like tack, or something to cook with. This time I took a chance. He has one weakness... his horse Tessie. This is the shot I captured of her. I framed it in a wide black frame.

It was a success...

He even called me and said he liked it. For those of you that know him this is a remarkable thing. He wastes no words, especially on his sister.

My walk...

Pants been getting snugger, and rodeo season is on its way so I have set my sights on lower numbers in the horizon. Been eating better, trying to ride my critters (weather allowing), and today I even went for a walk. When I first got there I saw this...

and I thought to myself why in the world is there a hydrant in the middle of nowhere?

Then I saw where we were heading....

I was a bit frightened, but not for long for who should I see, but...

Jayden the fearless "Sea Monster Slayer"... not sure how many sea monsters live in the woods, but I felt better anyway...

So off we go....

Slayer in the lead aboard his mighty steed "Old Green"...

The trip was fairly uneventful after that aside from one part of the journey when my cell phone committed suicide and went overboard into a deadly pool of slush... Never Fear - I have Cell Phone insurance and all ended well.

AAAHHHH --- Friday!

How long it seems to take to arrive, and today it seems to take just as long to finish... dragging on like the energizer bunny commercials. Unfortunately my head is the drum , and I am surrounded by 22 eager Energizer Bunnies!!! Bang, Boom, Bang...pound, pound, pound... 2:50 p.m. - Only 30 minutes left to go.

The Dentist

The dentist... that one little word can make even the toughest guy/gal tremble and cringe. Even on its best day - a brief cleaning - the trip is never a treat. Just walking into that sterile office and inhaling the unique aroma makes me want to hurl.
My most recent dentist appointment also carried with it a unique scent, but not one of sterility and cleanliness. Surrounded by birthing mothers, afterbirth, and warm manure piles - one might call the odor of our surroundings "crappy". For many and most of us this scent filled image does not conjure up notions of a dentist appointment. But if you are a horse getting your teeth worked on in the middle of winter calving season, it is definately the most logical place for some dental repair.
After watching my two beautiful girls hang in a stupor from their halters while the dentist sanded away on their teeth I was hit with two thoughts.

• Thank goodness for dental chairs - as awkward as they may seem.
• How can my dentist get me some of those drugs.

$250 dollars later my girls have smooth fresh teeth again, and I am so grateful it was not me.

Melting...

Mushy, slushy-
Melting snow.
Slipping, sliding -
Down I go...
Wet behind
a rip to boot-
bet that gave someone quite a hoot!
Two days before, I sang its praises;
sleeping in,
not missing students' faces.
I've had my fill -
the time has come,
the snow I hope
is finally done.

A Snow Day in January

In Hermiston, Oregon we are rarely graced with more than an inch or two of the fluffy white stuff at one time... Yet one thing about life - always expect the unexpected. After a night of freezing rain it started snowing yesterday and dumped more than 6 inches. Places like St. Paul, Minnesota, Anchorage, Alaska or even just La Grande and Baker, Oregon, would scoff at this minute amount, but in Hermiston the town just about shuts down. Of course school was closed, the children and teachers cheered while the parents cursed. My own children embarked on a sledding excursion with their father while I took a day to myself. After a delightful lunch at Hale's, our town's hometown favorite restaurant, I decided to take my camera in hand and capture some of our snowy winter wonderland. Here is what I saw.