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.