Seatbelt for my Saddle

Colton's first trail / parking lot horse ride !

2010-02-26T09:18:00.000-08:00

We were in a Cowboy Day's Parade this past Saturday, and so Haleigh brought Colton to get him out for a bit. The weather here has been so horrible and it was a very nice day. So you know we had to take him for his first horse ride. I did not move while holding him. I just sat on my horse (Rio is still a youngster), however Bear rode him all around the parking lot while we were waiting. He wanted to ride him in the parade but Haleigh put her foot down....LOL

We are really enjoying our new bundle ( I mean cowboy )

My sweet daughter and her gorgeous baby !!!

Colton sporting Poppy's sunglasses !!!! (You can see both of us in the reflection)

Just a picture of a day !!!!

2010-02-16T14:47:00.000-08:00

How do you like my "little cowboy" ????

We are smitten.........Bear is Head over Heels......already looking for a pony, four-wheeler, bass boat (he says for him and Colton - yeah right !!), guns for hunting and fishing poles for fishing.

Miss you guys....but just had to stick my head in and say Hi ! and show my little cowboy off.

Riding season is just around the corner....I have not ridden my horse since Thanksgiving, and Chick is broke and ready to ride this year - so I will have to split my time up between her and Rio. We have a Cowboy Parade this weekend to ride in with our club. Should be fun - kind of an Old West Day with bank robbery, wagons, good chili, etc.....

I am supposed to carry the flag.....we will see what Rio says about that Sat morning...LOL

Love you all !!!

Jemma !

Has it been 9 months???????

2010-01-12T06:47:00.001-08:00

Colton Dewayne Beasley, born December 29th. 7 lbs, 11 oz. 19 inches long
I am a proud Jemma !!!!!!!!

Don't you love his outfit !!!!!

Just call me "Jemma"

2009-06-18T13:54:00.000-07:00

Here is my grandbaby. My daughter is 11 weeks, and 2 days pregnant today, and I got to go to the ultrasound appt with her.
My youngest daughter is 23 (Haleigh), and she and her hubs (Ronnie) are expecting their first child and my first grandbaby.

I never thought I would be a grandmother at 43......I am too young to be an old blue haired, walking with a cane grandmother....LOL
Just kidding. My mother has been a grandmother for 24 years and she looks awesome, and I hope that when my grandbaby is 24 I look just as good.

Just wanted to announce my exciting news.
Been showing every weekend, I have gotten a ribbon in every class I have shown in.....Might now have always been a blue, but at least it is a ribbon and I am having a blast.
Hopefully life will slow down now that it is too hot to trail ride, and I can get some posting in.

Might help if I can get a new camera. Mine is shot....and I depend on others to take pictures and share with me. Anniversary not too far away, maybe I will throw some hints.....

Take care bloggy world and I will keep you updated on this little grape in my daughter's belly.
Oh by the way - I want "it" to call me "Jemma".....not sure why I like that but I do. We already have too many Memis', Memaws', Nannys, etc.... in our family so I tried to come up with something different.
Bear will be Papa Bear (Haleigh came up with that)

Happy "Baby" Trails
Jamie......Jemma

I survived.....actually better than I thought !!

2009-05-18T14:51:00.001-07:00

Just a couple of lines, to let everyone know that I survived the flag carrying....She did AWESOME. Couple of pics....hope to have more later.

And did way better in my class than I thought I would. I am a "club" show person, basically just the weekend show people - now don't get me wrong some of those club people are very serious...but me....well I just do this for fun, and bonding with my horse. I don't take it too seriously - I mean there is no color ribbon in the world that can tell me how wonderful my horse is to me....right girls !!!???!!!

Anyway - this was a sanctioned show.....and believe me - these people are SERIOUS !!!!! Big 100,000 $$$ rigs, and VERY expensive show horses.....not free like mine...LOL

Well we took 2nd place and that is HUGE !!!! I hope to have more pics, these are from the photographer, and all my friends were there taking pics, they just have to go through them and send me the best ones.....

Thanks for all the good thoughts, and I might even have a video of the flag carrying later in the week.

Love you guys !!

Jamie

I miss you all !!!!

2009-05-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

I promise I'll be back.....I promise I miss you all terribly.

My life has been a whirlwind, as I am sure everyone's has.

Work has been just out of this world crazy....new programming.....heading up projects....new duties....etc....etc....etc.....

Been working this girl - getting ready to carry the flag in the opening ceremonies of the Columbiana "Heart of Dixie" Walking Horse Show (BIG TIME HORSE SHOW), this Saturday and competing, not to mention the fact that I have been competing in club shows every Saturday. (Let's see...I think since March I have gotten about 3-1sts, 4-5 2nds, 2- 3rds, 2-4ths, 2-5ths. I will break it down in my next post, and post some pictures, but for now - just leaving you with this one. I am begging everyone to take pictures Sat, and I think Kat is even going to video the flag carrying......eeeekkkkk!!!!! I will be the only horse, the only flag and all eyes on me for that LOOOOONNNNGGGG National Anthem....LOL

I am expecting all your good vibes come Saturday about 5:00pm central time......

Spending the day tomorrow working the girlie, and playing with her and the flag. She is doing awesome, not scared of it at all......it is just going to be combining that with music, 1000+ people, a covered indoor arena, and lots of stuff going on around her....so we will see. I have faith....

Love you all and miss you - and I PROMISE to catch up with everyone very soon !!!

Took this picture Tues night after practicing.....

Gosh - she is hot stuff !!!!!

Jamie

A Man and His Dog......nuthin' better !!!

2009-04-20T12:18:00.001-07:00

Athletes come in all sizes !!!!

2009-04-06T13:07:00.001-07:00

What an amazing time we had at Mule Days......oh my, I have never in my life experienced something like this. These guys are truly athletes. It is incredible how hard these guys work, and how much heart they have. I have newly gained respect for the mule. Thinking back to the days when we did not have nice big Kabota tractors to plow or fields, or cut our hay. These guys did it day in and day out. Here are a few pictures. Will get some more in the next few days. Just wanted to give you a taste of what I got to experience.

These are small mules, pulling a sled with concrete blocks in them. Of course they did not pull as many as the guys below.
These guys right here were incredible. I think they got up to about 6100 lbs before they were done.

Just look at them digging in:

Now these 2 fellers here were something else. I think Rudy (the mini) was about 30 inches or so, but Shorty (LOL) was 19.2 hands. He was for sale for 7500.00.....(I almost had enough..LOL)

Here is Shorty pulling his wagon. Notice how much taller he is than the wagon. Or heck, even the car...

I thought this little team was too darn cute. This little guy is starting early. He will be as good as his Granddad one day.

I had a wonderful time, and if you ever get the chance to go to Mule Days in Columbia, Tennessee......pleeeeaaaaasssee go. It is awesome.

More to come later......even the picture of the new saddle my sweet Bear bought me. I have been riding horses since I was 3 years old and have NEVER owned a new saddle. I am sooooo excited. More pics to come.

Missed you guys....

Heeeeeee - Hawwwww

2009-03-31T14:36:00.000-07:00

So excited......leaving tomorrow afternoon to go to Columbia, Tennessee for the Historic Mule Days. This will be my first time going. I have friends who go every year, and have asked us to go this year.

We were so excited, made our room reservations one year in advance (you have to), then about a month ago, our friends Val and Chase were offered a camp site -on site. I was kinda bummed because I wanted us to stay together, but about 2 days later, they got a call back and were offered another campsite right next to theirs, so we got that one. (Which saved us a bunch of moola also) Camping + Passes = 104.00 for the entire time vs. 119.00+ tax per night in the hotel and 25.00 each for passes. Oh yeah baby !!! More money to buy stuff !

If you have never heard of Mule Days.....here is a little info

Mule Days

What is Mule Day?
Mule Day is an annual celebration of all things related to mules and is held in Columbia, Tennessee, the "Mule Capital" of the world. Begun in 1840 as "Breeder's Day", a meeting for mule breeders, it now attracts over 200,000 people and takes place over four days. In addition to mules, traditional Appalachian food, music, dancing, and crafts are featured.
Mule Day History "Mule Day" has been a popular Columbia tradition for nearly 170 years, since the 1840s. It began as "Breeder's Day", a single day livestock show and mule market event held on the first Monday in April. Over time, "Mule Day" evolved from a single day event into a multi-day festival, attracting thousands of attendees, lasting almost a week. The heavy involvement of Maury County in the mule industry has caused the event to grow over time into "one of the largest livestock markets in the world."

Mule Day Events
If you visit during Mule Day celebrations, you might see a square dance, a mule-driving contest, a horse show, a crafts festival, or attend a flea market. Other events include "working mule", "best of breed", or even lumberjack competitions. Food served at the event includes barbecue, roasted corn, home-made pies and funnel cakes.

Since 1934, the festival has been highlighted by a "Mule Day Parade" held on Saturday during the celebration. Floats in the parade compete, with winners in each judged category receiving awards such as ribbons or money.

The contest for the Mule Day Queen is also held on Saturday. The competition is open to contestants age 15 to 21. The winner is selected based on an essay and other criteria.

The annual mule pull contest requires a pair of mules to pull a sled loaded with cinder blocks 10 feet. Each pair is given 3 tries to make it the full 10 feet. The team that pulls the most weight wins.

This is very cool.....they have mini mules pulling up to mammoth mules.

Plus Friday night, they have a gaited mule show.

I am soooo stoked.
Taking my camera, so hopefully I will have lots and lots of those LONG eared beauties to post.

Have a wonderful rest of the week, and weekend....

Until then.....HEE - HAW!!!!!!
J

I'll have bacon with my fried thyroid !!!

2009-02-26T08:37:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, boy I have missed you all.

Just have not had it in me to blog. I have not been feeling well for about 3 months now, and really just thought it was my RA.

But about 4 weeks ago, I had a huge knot come up on the front of my throat. A girl at work noticed it. I immediately called the dr and made an appointment for the next day. Dr said he thought it was a thyroid nodule (????? I am thinking). Anyway, he took some blood and made me an appoinment to have an ultrasound 2 days afterward (which was on a Friday). I hate having tests on a Friday - you have to worry all weekend.

Anyway, he called me on the next Tues., and said my thyroid blood test levels were WAY high, and he wanted me to have a thyroid scan and see an endocrinologist. Had the scan that Friday and went to see the endocrin. on the next Friday.

We turns out, my thyroid is hyperactive. Which has caused the following: profuse sweating and hot flashes (thought I was starting menopause), jaw pain, insomnia, weight loss (Yeah !! I have lost about 15 pounds), crazy itching, heart beating 90,000 miles an hour, and they said having lots of energy....however that is the only symptom I did not have......I have been very very tired, and felt like I had the flu.

The week I was going to the endocrin. Bear and I both really did get the flu. I was out of work for 2 days and Bear was out 3 (but shoeing horses is a lot harder than sitting at a computer). Got better and went to the drs appt on that Friday.

Dr. said that I was very very hyperactive in my thyroid. Actually that day put me on Beta Blockers because my heart rate and blood pressure were very very high. But only had to take those for 14 days.

Scheduled me to have my thyroid radiated......

So, went day before yesterday to the nuclear medicine dept at the hospital, took a pill of iodine and a small amount of radiation. Went to work.

Went back yesterday and had a scan. They use a formula to determine how much radiation to give you....by this scan and my bloodwork.

Came back an hour later and took a radiation pill........So weird, I had to go in this tiny room, with warning signs on the door, and she took the pill out of a metal cylinder.....oooooooo - scary !!

But was fine, I am kinda quarantine for a little while. I can't sleep with or kiss (or anything else) Bear for 5 days and have to not get too close to pregnant women or children for 30 days. At least not hug or hold them.

But hoping to start feeling better soon.

Sorry I did not post this already, but I sure have asked for my share of prayers this year from you guys, and I knew it would be fine.

On to something good.

Have not really been feeling like sitting down and surfing blogs lately (But I will catch up soon), I did have a sweet message and award from MiKael over at MiKael's Mania - Arabian Horses . I love to read about her Arabian horses and showing.

Thanks MiKael.......Hugs to you (Oh and Happy Belated Birthday)

The award description:

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

I love it, but really do not feel worthy, especially since I have been gone for a while now, and not been sharing.....but it is going to make me a better blogger......and hopefully I will be feeling better.

Here are my eight picks:

Pony Girl Rides Again

Cowboys, Kids and Sunsets

Nuzzling Muzzles

Horseshoeing Housewife

All Things Horse

Oh Horsefeathers

OK, I know that is 10, but you guys are my peeps, and I love you all......You check on me, you pray with and for me, and you are all around just great gals......and I love ya......

Show season is starting on March 7th, and I have to participate in at least 8 shows to qualify for state, so hopefully I will have some ribbons to share soon !

Be back soon.......hopefully not glowing from the radiation !!!

Hugs

Jamie

Always a bride's maid - Never a bride ???!!!!???

2009-01-27T13:52:00.000-08:00

Well hello there everyone.......trying to get myself back in the swing of things. Thanks again for all your support......please continue to keep my family in your prayers.....Mom and Dad seem to be doing a little better.....day by day....is what I say.

Had a wonderful weekend. Had the show Saturday and then the Horse Fair all weekend, however we only attended Sunday for the Ultimate Trail Horse Competition and it was FANTASTIC !!!!

It is amazing what people can get their horses to do, without even knowing what kind of obstacles they will have. One friend of ours (only 17 years old) taught her spotted saddle horse to sidepass the day of the competition, and he did awesome. Horses amaze me sometimes.....heck most of the time.

Show Saturday was GREAT......Got 2nd again (hence the title of my post here), but that is okay. I, first of all, showed one-handed which is what I will have to do this year if I plan to show in any sanctioned shows, and I have really been sweating it. Rio is not the best neck reiner....she is still learning.....but with the use of my pinkie and my index finger we did great. 2nd of all, the girl that beat me last week, got 3rd after me.....and let me tell you - she is awesome and is the high point leader in that club.....so overall I was proud. Plus, I am just doing this for fun, right? I am starting to feel a little bit competitive. It sure is fun though, and Rio loves the attention.

I have some pictures that my friend Jen took, but I have to get them off her camera, so I will post some pics soon.

Guys, I promise I am going to get back in the swing and get back to visiting with everyone. I really need to spend an entire day catching up on everyone's blogs. But I will do it - I promise.

Callie at MidWest Horse Blog gave me a sweet Lemonade award (well I don't know if the lemonade was sweet or not.....LOL). But it was too sweet of her......it is for those who show a great attitude and it made me feel so good, considering what has just gone on in my life.

Love you Callie....oh and your fishies too....

I am going to lovingly display it here on my blog, so it can remind me to keep a great attitude, no matter what.

I am pretty sure that almost everyone has gotten this award, but feel free to grab it and post it proudly. I don't know anyone in this blogosphere who has a bad attitude, or if they do - I do not read their blog....

Having a tack sale this weekend or my riding club is. I am really looking for some English tack. I am thinking of showing in Ladies Racking and it is only English attire. So gonna start looking. Although I hope I do not have to wear jodhpurs.....my butt is toooooooo BIG !!

Have a great rest of the week.....

Love you all

Jamie

Huge Thanks to Everyone !!!

2009-01-19T14:08:00.000-08:00

Just a couple of lines here, to thank each and every one of you for your thoughts, prayers, emails and comments.
It really made each night when I sat down to check my email and blog.

We are all doing okay. Just trying to get by each day, and I am sure each day will get easier. My mom and dad are trying to find things to do, as I am sure you realize, when you have a special needs child - most of your time is doing things for them. When they are gone, you really don't know what to do with your time. Also my 90 year old grandmother lived with them, and she was a huge part of Stevie's life, so all three of them (who were with her every single day) are still in need of prayers and thoughts. So keep it up girls !!!!

There were over 500 people in attendance on Monday night and Tuesday, so she was very very loved. I think we all are. All of my friends came on Monday night and a few on Tuesday. Even a couple of high school friends who I have not seen in 10+ years came by (they read it in the paper).

The services were very nice. My mom's pastor did a wonderful job. One of the guys from my mom's church sang a song he had written and as soon as he makes me a CD I will put it on here for all of you to hear. It is about Jesus coming for us on a white horse, and the title and chorus of the song is "Come ride with me" It was awesome and I cannot wait to share it with all of of my horse loving friends. My mom told me it was Stevie's favorite songs at church (not really a funeral song), but I kinda think it she liked it because she loved my horses and really wanted to be able to ride one.

My comfort comes now knowing that Stevie is no longer in distress, no longer having a hard time walking around, running out of breath, not having to stick those needles in her each day for her diabetes, and knowing that she is riding that white horse with our Lord.

Again, thank you all !!!! It means the world to me knowing I have you all praying for me.

(On an upside.....I did show on Saturday - my parents came, brought me a horse shoe bracelet that my mom bought Stevie at my last show, also a flower from her gravesite. I stuck it in the front of my saddle, so it could be seen. I got 2nd place in Trail Pleasure class. Rio did awesome and I am sure I had my sweet Stevie riding with me.......)

Love you all.
Be back soon !!!
Jamie

Some wonderful words !!

2009-01-12T21:24:00.000-08:00

Just a couple of things we got today from friends.
I am doing okay, viewing was today (there were over 300 in attendance) and funeral tomorrow.
Just trying to be strong for my family.
Thanks for all the prayers from you all. I knew I could count on you all for wonderful support, and I promise the prayers are working.

From a friend of my mom's, a poem she wrote for Stevie

Through The Eyes of A Child

For You my child, the Good Lord said, I have a special gift

So, please my child understand why I gave you this

You will always see life in a different view than everyone

You will see the good in all and make sadness into fun

You will touch the lives of so many and make their problems seem so mild

You my child will always see through the eyes of a child

There is one thing I must ask, I need you in heaven soon

For angels like you are very far between & few

I know your loved ones here on earth will miss you greatly my dear

But they will find great comfort in knowing you are here

And until you meet again with them here above

You should know my child that you left behind great love

Written by: Kelli Thomason for Stevie01-12-09

This next is a letter type eulogy. Stevie was in a hospital for about 13 weeks a couple of years ago, for Prader Willi Syndrome kids. This letter is from one of the other patient's moms.

I believe, if we are lucky enough in life, we will meet only a few people who are destined to make a positive difference in our lives. Purely out of chance, we were blessed to meet a unique young woman, Stevie Marie Glass, who we will never forget.

We met Stevie at the Pittsburgh Children’s Institute in November, 2005. Our youngest child, Alex, was a participant in the Prader Willi program along with Stevie. During our first week-end visit, two weeks after Alex had begun this journey, Stevie had just arrived. Much like Alex, Stevie was unhappy being there as she missed her family immensely. One evening, at the beginning of the meal, a nurse announced that Stevie Glass would be joining everyone for dinner. It was the first time since her arrival that Stevie would be joining everyone without the assistance of her wheel chair. Those who were there for Prader Willi weight loss and management , as well as the staff, gave Stevie a standing ovation, clapping and cheering her on. My daughter Amy and I, both choked up, joined in and cheered for Stevie also.

Stevie was on her journey, losing weight, and understood her unique needs in order to attain a healthy lifestyle. From the moment we were introduced to Stevie, we knew that we would have a lasting friendship. We continued our relationship through telephone calls and occasional letters after Stevie and Alex returned home. Stevie had a lifetime of physical and medical challenges. She never dwelled on herself and was always cheerful and optimistic. She loved talking not about herself, but about her amazing family that she felt so blessed to have: her mother Mary, her father, Donald, her sister, her nieces, her little dog, and boasted most about her Grandma Sarah who she spent much her time with. She always wanted to know how her friend, Alex was doing. She was interested in how Alex’s older sisters, Amy and Aryel were doing, as she had met both. She wanted to be certain that my husband and I were healthy and was very happy to know that both married daughters had “provided” Alex with a new baby niece and nephew! Although Stevie had never met our older son, she would ask about Aaron and his wife. Stevie often told me that when she regained her strength after being in the hospital, she was looking forward to eventually becoming a nursery school assistant; she would have been an asset working with young children! Stevie exuberated unconditional love to everyone she met!

She had no preconceived opinions or prejudices. She had an aura of goodness, pureness, and innocence. Although she lived a short life, her mere existence made our world a better place. Stevie believed in a kind and loving God; she expressed this through her words and actions.

Each year on the anniversary of her death, our family will light a candle for her called a “Yahrzeit Candle”. We will light a candle for her annually in Stevie’s memory and will recite the Mourner’s Kaddish. The Mourner’s Kaddish is one of the unique Jewish responses to bereavement. Although saying Kaddish is not a theological pronouncement, it is the traditional Jewish way of responding to death. It is an ancient prayer praising God for the world he has given to us. The words of the Kaddish(which we say in Hebrew) would seem to have the mourner saying, “Even at a time and place like this, we are grateful for the world and all the good things with which our lives are blessed”…..and our family believes that our lives have been enriched by knowing Stevie.

We will remember you Stevie as one with warmth and kindness. We will always remember your soft sweet voice, your laughter and your grace. Your untimely death leaves a gaping hole in our hearts. We take comfort knowing that you are now at peace and free of pain.

God Bless you,Your friends, Anita, Bob, Alex Ashe and extended family

I just thought these things kinda give you an idea of what kind of person she was, or should I say what kind of angel she was.

She truly touched many many lives, and to see the 300 people coming in that funeral home, was a true statement of that.

Love you all

Jamie

With a sad heart !!!

2009-01-10T21:18:00.000-08:00

I am sitting here at 11:20 pm tonight with a heavy, sad heart.

My mom called me at 9:30 this morning to tell me that Stevie had passed away in her sleep.
OMG....thought I was going to throw up, pass out....all at the same time

Thank God, my BFF Jen was here with me. Bear was out of town hunting, and Jen came over and we had a girls night of Mexican food, and movies after I rode Rio yesterday.
So she kinda took over.....got me ready and rushed me to my moms.

I live about and hour away so they had already taken her by the time I got there.
I was just there for my parents though.

I tried all day to stay strong, stay focused, and handle everything for my parents that I could. Bless their hearts....it kills me for them to hurt.....yeah, I hurt too.....however I am trying to be the one to carry them through this....trying to be their rock......there will be plenty of time when I am alone or after this is all over with to break down....

I am trying - I am trying......It is hard.

Stayed there, made phone calls, served food, etc..(man tons of food......we have great friends)
Bear drove in from Mississippi and stayed with me too. (I love him)

Got home about an hour ago, after making my parents promise me they would take some prescription help and get some sleep. They need it - it is going to be a rough 2 days.

Going to try to get the viewing done Mon night and the funeral on Tues. Dad went and handled the plot today with the opening and closing.

OMG !!!! I cannot believe I am typing this.

My sister was the kindest, most loving, most giving person I have ever met. I am not sure how we are going to make it without her in our lives.

I had to write the obit before I left my moms......that was not hard to do.
Will post it when it is published.

Please keep us in your prayers. You guys got me through the last hospital stay....ventilators and all.....I know your sweet thoughts and prayers will carry me so I can carry them.

Love you all
Broken hearted Jamie

Stevie Marie Glass.....I know you are with God....happy, healthy and telling everyone what to do !! I will love you and miss you always!!!!!

ARRRRRGGGGHHHH !!!!!

2009-01-06T14:20:00.001-08:00

Just saying arrrrggghhh because I have been so darn busy. Been missing everyone. I did take a small hiatus from blogging while I was off for the holidays. Ready to get back into it, but have been so crazy busy at work and at home. Working, cleaning, getting Bear ready to leave for a 5 day hunting trip.
Just wanted to say HI to everyone and let ya know I am alive and well.
Had a great Christmas and a wonderful New Years eve. Here are a couple of pictures from that night.

This is me........with my 99 cent Dollar General hat !!! LOL

All my peeps......Kat...me.....Janet.....Terri and Jenny at the bottom.
These are my BFF's and we had a great time......(I think the flash got my eyes....I look weird - could not have anything to do with the adult beverages.....nah!)
Here we all are around the campfire. Except for Bear and Jenny.....Jen was taking the picture and not sure where Bear was......probably mixing a drink.....
Everyone stayed at my house and I got up and cooked for 11 hungry bellies....and you know I hate to cook.

Miss you all and I promise to get back to blogging and catch up.

Jamie

Cookbooks for Sale.....for a Horse Rescue.

2008-12-11T14:55:00.000-08:00

I am on a horse forum with some great people. Last year, we had a horse show to raise money for a great horse rescue in Georgia called Sunkissed Acres. Lori is a great girl and does an amazing job with her rescues.

This year we had a horse show again, and raised her a good bit, but also - us, girls got together and put together a cute little cookbook.

Thought I would put it on my blog, and if you are so inclined, click the link below and you can order one for yourself or a gift for someone.

Here is the link: Cookbook order

Just wanted to say thanks, and feel free to pass it on.

BTW: I have a couple of recipes in here......one is mine, but the others I stole from friends and put my name on it........baaahhaaaaa !!! Just kidding, it says "Jamie and Friends"

Thanks for letting me share

Christmas Questionnaire

2008-12-10T14:02:00.000-08:00

I get cute little "all about me's" in my email sometimes, but I liked this one on Lisa's blog...it was all about Christmas.....and I love Christmas and tradition.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate.....actually coffee with Bailey's...

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Don't have kids at home anymore, but I did not wrap. Only wrapped what was from Mom and Dad. Santa don't have time to wrap. Plus the paper would get torn in his bag.

3. Colored lights on house/tree or white? Clear lights on tree and house

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Can't give Bear any more excuses to start something...LOL

5. When do you put your decorations up? Right after Thanksgiving - tree and all

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Ham.....oh I love ham.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Waking up Christmas morning, and getting new animals. My dad broke horses and someone was always giving him another animal. He just saved them for me on Christmas morning and they were always my favorite gifts.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What???? there is no Santa?
I guess I was about 10 or so, school kids told me. I did not believe them for a while.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? The girls always talked us into it, but I just let them open one. I wait until Christmas morning.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Western, cowboy stuff, horses, barbed wire, small red bows. This is my first year to not use the ornaments the girls made when they were little. I think next year I will get a small tree and decorate that with those.

11. Snow, love it or dread it? Well, I guess I love it. I see it about every 2 years or so. I live in Alabama - the South......we just do not get much snow. But I do love it when it comes, cause it does not stay long.

12. Can you ice skate? Yes, a little bit. I could roller skate much better, probably would bust my arse now doing either one.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? As a child, would have to be a horse. As an adult, would have to be a horse.

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays for you? Spending time with family.

15. Favorite holiday dessert? My mom makes a pineapple / cherry dump cake.

16. Favorite holiday tradition? Bear and I relaxing on Christmas day after everyone has gone home......I think we are leaving for a trail ride this year.

17. What tops your Christmas tree? A star

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Receiving......LOL .....just kidding. I love to pick a gift just for that person and watching and hoping they love it....

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Singing - Santa Claus is coming to town......Listening - Silent Night.

20. Candy Canes - Yum or Yuck? I love peppermint. So I love them

21. What do you want for Christmas? Got it already - New fridge and dishwasher....
OK - well there is other things I want.....new show hat, new show saddle, basically anything for my horse and me.

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas Party? Bear and I have one with another couple friends of ours who are trainers. We have it for our clients and friends....it is this Saturday and we have a blast.....

23. Do you dress up for Christmas Eve or wear jammies? I wear jeans and a t-shirt to my in-laws .....everyone else dresses up...(told you guys I hate dressing up)....then I wear jammies when I get home.

24. Do you own a Santa hat? NO......My hair is too big for a hat....plus I would get hat head.

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with? My parents and my family come over about a weekend before and we have Christmas then. Christmas Eve at Bear's parents. Then the girls come on Christmas morning, then they leave and go to their dads....And Bear and I have our time.

26. What are your least favorite things about Christmas? Cleaning house before and after company.....shopping.

Come on and join in on the fun.....and let me know if you posted it on your blog.

Will share next week some pictures from the Christmas party this weekend.

I am still on house / horse sitting duty at my friends. Will be done tomorrow. Whew ! It has about kicked my butt. I have been up at 5:00am, feeding chickens, cows, 17 pasture horses and 2 studs in stalls. Then went to work, came back in the dark, fed 17 pasture horses, and 2 studs in stalls, cleaned stalls. And most of this time, I have had to carry water, because the water has been cut off so it would not freeze. Just to the 2 studs....pasture horses had huge tanks, already filled.
But I have had fun.......My friend Janet...who I am horse sitting for.....has a great BIG jacuzzi tub and I have been spending a lot of time in there !!!!! Teehee !!!

Have a wonderful weekend
Happy Trails
Jamie

My Painted Past !!!!

2008-12-03T14:36:00.000-08:00

I got an award from Lisa over at Laughing Orca Ranch and I love it.....

I wanted to show off the paint horses I have had in the past......

First off, here is my award.......Thank you Lisa - I love it !!!!

I bought the horse below (on the left) from one of those so-called horse traders. Her name was Tobi, she was fantastic the two times I went out to ride her, and I fell in love.......Well until the drugs wore off. She was really okay for about 2 weeks then she went cold-back. I mean everytime someone got on her - she really gave it to them......hit the ground.....This is the first horse that gave me memory loss.....6 months worth.

I sold her quickly !!!! Actually trader her for the next horse you will see....

The horse in the middle below is Shyanne......she was my second paint horse, I traded Tobi and about 1000.00 for her. She was my confidence builder horse. I needed it after my really bad accident on Tobi. I sold her to Jenny below after about 2 years of riding her -( she is getting ready for the Christmas parade).....(that is my honey, cutie pie on the left, and my neice on the right) Shyanne was an awesome horse.....she took me everywhere and safely.....we rode in Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi.....etc...etc.....

I sold her to Jenny (my BFF) as her first horse !!

The horse below is my beloved Dixie girl !!! She is awesome. I actually did not mean to have her. A group of us were going on a weekend trip, and my horse I was riding came up lame - abcess or something. Anyway, one of our clients had this horse for sale, so Bear called her to see if she would mind if I borrowed her and helped sell her on this really large organized ride we were going on.......well, I fell in love AGAIN.......and she never went back home. This would be my last trotting horse. I rode with Bear and my other gaited friends for about 2 years and my butt and back killed me....and poor Dixie - she had to trot or slow lope to keep up - I felt really bad for her. So then I decided to get a gaited horse, so I sold her to a really good friend and she loves her as much as I still do. The friend keeps me updated and sends me pictures often, as she lives in Southern Alabama.

Well that takes me to my next and last paint horse.....er.....Spotted Saddle Horse.....do not want to make the gaited community mad at me.....cause you know Paint Horses are Quarter Horses and Gaited Horses with Spots are Spotted Saddle Horses.......(sorry SSHA).......

This is my Rio..... She is the Bomb-Diggity !!!! So pretty and soooooooo sweet. She is my girl, and I hope she will be FOREVER !!!!!

Thanks again, Lisa - I love my "unique" award.....

Happy Trails.......

Jamie

Tired and Stuffed like a Turkey !!!!!

2008-12-01T14:10:00.001-08:00

Well here I am back, stuffed like a turkey and tired.....
Had a great vacation riding horses, watching football and eating.
We cooked on Thursday, fried 2 turkeys, had dressing, every kind of casserole you can think of, and pies, cakes, fudge, and some awesome banana nut bread.
We were all stuffed, stuffed, stuffed. It is a wonder we were able to get on the horses on Friday.

We set up 4 tents and actually even made a little movie theatre, or really a place to watch Alabama and Auburn (our state rivals) play each other. We did that on Saturday. And my team (Auburn) did not win.....boo-hoo !! That is okay I guess, we have won the past 6 years, and Alabama has been undefeated this year....so I will survive. This is the only game I watch - I am not really a big football fan.
I only fell off my horse once......LOL......I say this because I do usually have a tumble every trail ride....I mean the name of this blog is "Seatbelt for my Saddle"......
Sometimes I just have a tumble and I did, but no big deal - not hurt at all.
Rio was going up a pretty steep hill, and got her foot in a small culvert, and stumbled, and I just rolled off, so she could get up.
Here is our movie theatre below.....
Pretty cool....huh? We even had rope lights all around the inside...
This is also where we ate and cooked. It rained a little on Friday and Saturday night, which made the riding a little muddy on Saturday, and we ended up just packing up and coming on home on Sunday morning, instead of riding before we left.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. I sure did !!!
Now it is shop mode........I have not even put my tree up, or bought one gift. Gotta get my butt in gear !!!

I was tagged with a meme by Callie at MidWestHorse to tell 6 things about me that none of you know. I have done this recently, but surely I did not tell all....LOL
So going to try again.

1. I, too, had a child with natural childbirth. My oldest daugher was 7lbs, 6oz, and 19 inches long, and I had a 27 hour labor with nothing for pain. They even did an episiotomy during a contraction.....OUCH !!! It was worth it when it was over and I had that gorgeous baby girl.....and can you believe I got prego 6 months later....obviously I did have pain meds that next time....

2. I love lobster. It is my favorite food. I do not get to eat it much, cause down here in the South....it is expensive.

3. I have anxiety sometimes while riding. I have had a couple of very bad accidents, even one where I lost 6 months of memory. So, sometimes (not everytime) when I ride - I get so crazy that I cry and absolutely freak out......BUT - I never quit.....just usually drink a beer and try to get over it quickly. My riding buddy's understand and really help me through this. I love my horses and will never quit riding.

4. I want to go to another country and do some kind of volunteer work. It is a calling I have had for a very long time and hope to do it someday.

5. I hate to dress up. I would rather wear jeans, t-shirts and boots every day of my life. I have been this way since I was a small child. (Ask my mom). When I was in school, I had to wear a uniform and I HATED it...... I just do not think I look good all dressed up - it is not me !! Luckily I can wear jeans, and nice shirt and my boots to work almost every day.

6. I do my Christmas shopping in less than 2 days. I hate to shop - I mean it - I really hate to shop (another one to ask my mom - because she is a shop-a-holic - maybe that is why). I wait until about a week before Christmas and go in one maybe two (but no more than that) and get all my shopping done. It might take me all day, but I get it done - I hate to shop !!!! Don't get me wrong, I love to give the gifts and really try to buy the right one for the right person, but I just hate the hustle and bustle of the shopping thing, especially at Christmas.

See I knew I could tell you guys some more things about myself that you did not know and I am sure I have more in there to dig up....
Rules:
Link to the person who tagged you.
Post the rules on your blog.
Write six random things about yourself.
Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
Let the tagger know when your entry is up.
I now tag:
Pony Girl Rides Again
The Horseshoeing Housewife
Trail Riding Cowgirl
Nuzzling Muzzles
Laughing Orca Ranch
TrailBoss

I love you guys !!!!!

Happy, Happy Thanksgiving !!!

2008-11-24T11:00:00.000-08:00

Have not been around much....just been working so darn hard....at work and at home. Getting ready for the holidays and trips.

We are leaving on Wed to go on a 5 day camping / horse riding trip at KC Ranch in Double Springs, Alabama.....my favorite place.

Then when I get home Bear and I are house / horse sitting for 10 days for our trainer. They have 3 studs and about 14 horses that have to be fed, stalls cleaned etc. They are going to California for a Vet conference (she is a vet tech also as well as my trainer).

Then the next weekend we have our friend / client Christmas party, then the next weekend is my family Christmas at my house.

Then we are leaving the day after Christmas for a 6 day camping / horse riding trip to Winchester, Tennessee at Circle E.....

Soooooo.......just been getting my house and camper ready !!!!

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy and Safe Thanksgiving.

Love you all !!

Those gorgeous TN Mountains

2008-11-04T14:01:00.000-08:00

Just after we got started on the trail....it was kinda chilly, but as soon as the horses started heating up - we got steam.

This is a place for hikers to stay during the night, so the bears (yes I said bears) will not get them. There is a place for you to hang your food up really high on a highwire also.
There are signs everywhere up here that tell you that there is active bear activity, and not to approach them. Not sure if the horses understand that -
Have you ever been on a horse that even smells a bear????
They start snorting and dancing around.....even sometimes start to bolt.....just say - they FREAK out !!!
The bears up in TN are pretty much protected, so they really do not fear humans, and they pretty much stay hidden.
Although in Cades Cove (where they have a drive around road to look at the animals), they just walk around - through cars and such. I have some pictures of our honeymoon where my Bear is about 4 feet from a real Bear.....oh scary !!!!

Gorgeous shot of the mountain we were riding on.

Ooooo.....So Steamy !!! LOL

Look at Rio biting at my foot.....she is crazy and does this alot while we are standing still. (not in the show ring), but on trail rides....I think it calms her nerves....LOL

She really just teethes on my stirrup or my boot.

Getting a drink from one of the many, many streams

I love this picture of Chance and Bear....

Creek running beside the trail.

Gorgeous waterfall we went by on the trail. There are lots of these, especially after the snowfall. The melted snow has to have somewhere to go.

We went up during the drought last year and there was almost no water.

Thanks for letting me share - I still have some other pics to get, so hopefully I will have some more.

Jamie

Whew ! Am I seeing daylight yet?

2008-11-03T13:47:00.000-08:00

Well after being off work for 3 days, I have spent the last few days catching up, or trying to. I am almost seeing daylight.
Had a wonderful trip, and will be posting more photos as soon as my friend Kat, gets me the disc of everyone pics.....those have more of me....LOL
This is on top of one of the mountains at Spence Field which is a gorgeous place. Just a few of us, when I get all the pics there is one of all of us that a hiker took.
Hope to get them this week. Here is Bear and I near the trail head coming out of Cades Cove (we have to walk through the picnic area off our horses and then mount when we get to the trail head). Some people acted like they had never seen a horse before - and some did not care if they ran over us with their car.
But after we got on the trail, it was worth it.
Rio did exceptionally well for her first LONG ride. We rode about 7 hours on Saturday at Tremont - or Smokey Mountain Institute which is a gorgeous ride. Have some great pics of the water coming off the mountain that I will share later...(come on Kat - need those photo !!)
Then Sunday we rode in Cades Cove and rode about 6-7 hours
I believe we rode a total of 16 miles on Saturday and about 15 or so on Sunday. It rained on Friday so we did not get to ride.

Gonna get those other pictures and share them with you.....they are really really pretty.

But in the meantime, I wanted to share my cute little boxer - Sugar - with you.

I am always checking out those cute boxers on Trail Boss's site and then last week Train Wreck showed us her doggy and made us guess what kind it was. I did not do very well at that - but heck I had never heard of an Argentine Dogo. But it sure is cute !!

Well this is Sugar, she is my sweet little boxer. Some say she does not look complete boxer, but I have her papers, and met both her mom and dad when I bought her, so......

I really don't care one way or the other - I had her fixed so there is no breeding in her forecast.

Here she is with Bear in the pool right after we got her.....notice how white she is with just that little black eye and a little bit of black on her ear. She was so pink on her belly.....oh she just made my toes curl.

Here is Sugar at about 3 months old

Notice the little freckles she is getting on her belly?

She is now covered in them all over her underside and even on her topside a little too. However, they are only on her skin.....not on her fur.

We did not have her ears clipped, she does have a docked tail, as they did that when she was first born....(oh I don't want to think about that).

She is my buddy - she goes everywhere with me (except work), she camps with us, she trail rides with us (when she can - most places say "No Dogs on the Trails"). She is a gem and I love my cutie pie.

She gets along pretty good with other dogs, as long as they don't try to love on her momma ! She is very jealous of me.

You like her Auburn collar? She has an orange one now and it looks too cute on her. Also got her a flea collar (they have been horrible this year) and it is baby blue.

She is a hoot - and thinks she is a tiny puppy.....she gets in the chair with me and wants everyone to pick her up and hold her, funny thing, most of my friends do....

We all love Sugar !! Hope you will too now.

I will get those pics from Kat asap.....we are trail riding again this weekend, just an overnighter, and it is also mine and Bear's 11 year anniversary.

See ya all soon !!

Ghosting it forward before I get the heck out of dodge !!

2008-10-22T12:56:00.000-07:00

Well about to leave on the trip - busting some booty to get my desk cleaned up, but of course I had to do some last minute visiting.....so stopped by Trail Riding Cowgirl and she has tagged me to Ghost It Forward......

So here goes.....

Rules:

1) Have a Ghostly Image to pass along

2) Tag three people on your blog, with links to their blogs. Tell about what great folks they are, or offer to send them a Ghostly Treat.

3) Include a link to Ghosting It Forward in your blog.

I looked and looked through my pictures and really could not find anything that "looked" ghostly (I will try to get some this weekend), but I did find this picture that was taken at Stinkin Jim's Horse Camp of The Witch Dance Trail. Now you will have to go read about it, it is very cool....

We are riding the trail here and I took a picture of some riders ahead of us.....cool picture I think.

As for passing it along....my oh my....everyone has already done this.....who do I pick?

Maybe I can just pick 3 that have already been picked, but I can just say something nice about them.....

1. Mrs. Mom at Oh Horse Feathers - You have to know how much it means to me to know that I am always in your prayers.....you always seem to come by just when I need to hear from you. How do you do that? I so enjoy your posts about the hoof......cause you know I like to act like I know what I am talking about at the dinner table with Bear...Mr. Farrier !! Thanks and hugs to you.

2. Train Wreck at Cowboys and Sunsets - I love your photos and drawings and such, and especially love the one I own. You are the cutest thing, and am so proud that you found your cowboy - who is a mighty fine one I might add. I just love coming by to visit you. You also know when to come by and brighten my day. Hugs to you as well.

3. Lisa at Laughing Orca Ranch - You crack me up - you have the wildest posts sometimes.....From humping roosters to Poop talk....I love it and love you too. Thanks for being my bloggy friend. I love you painted girl she is sooooo pretty - reminds me of my most favorite horse Dixie....who I only sold because I went gaited. Hugs to you too girl !

I cannot forget my tagger.....Trail Riding Cowgirl at All Things Horse - I know I only had three to tag and am not tagging you back....just saying thanks for always coming by and saying nice things. I will continue to wish we could meet up and ride together - maybe after you move !! Thanks and hugs to you too.

Getting back to work, so I can finish up - can you imagine how much work I will have when I get back from 3 days off......eeeekkkkk!!! Not going to think about that until Monday night right before I go to sleep - or heck maybe not until Tues morning on the ride in...

Happy Trails - Love you all !!

Jamie

Some call it "God's Country"

2008-10-20T14:21:00.000-07:00

Some do call it "God's Country".....I just call it beautiful !!
We go to Tennessee - around the Townsend area every year. We usually stay 4-5 days and ride every day abotut 7-8 hours a day, and have a great time.
We are leaving on Thurs and will be back on Monday, and there are 12 of us going.
We stay at a great place, with a giant lodge with 2 hot-tubs....oh la la !! (Although I am white as a ghost and putting on my winter chunk already), but who cares - right ?
These are a couple of pictures I have taken over the years of us going up there.
This is what I will be doing a lot of -"taking pictures"......this creek bed is usually flowing, but this was during the big drought last year.....so all dried up. Thankfully we thought ahead and took water for the horses.

Look at the cabin and horses below......man we are up high.
I know we going to one place that is one of the highest places along the Appalachian trail. My ears are already popping.... Everyone have a great week and weekend, and hopefully I will have lots of pictures to share when I get back.
This will be Rio's first trip to the Smokey's.....and hopefully the first of many !!!!

Happy Tennessee Trails
Jamie

My sweet Stevie !!

2008-10-08T13:28:00.001-07:00

This is especially for those sweet people who always ask about my sister, Stevie.

She is doing well and was at the horse show, bless her heart, when I got my first blue, she just cried so was so excited and happy for me.

Bless you all for keeping her in your prayers.

Love you !

A Few More Pics !!

2008-10-08T06:36:00.000-07:00

What a day !!!!!

2008-10-06T12:54:00.000-07:00

I have to say the show was a great success. I got 2-1st places, 1-2nd place and overall points for gaited classes.

I had a wonderful time, and my GREAT friends were there hollering for me and supporting me.

I think I like this showing thang !!!! I think Rio does too.

Jag went to his new home on Sunday - I gave the girl a 2 week trial with him, but she, her husband and son have already ridden him and they really really like him. Me too, but I just can't ride more than one, and I have stolen Rio from Bear !! LOL - and he tells everyone....

I have had to train new people for the past two weeks so hopefully after all of this I can catch up on everyone. I have not been commenting, but have been reading when I can.

Love you all

Trail Ride - Preview

2008-10-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

Me and Bear getting ready to ride (I am riding Rio)

She is like her mommy !! Loves the beer !!
Just a preview of the trail ride. Thought I was going to have time today to give ya details, but work is CRAZY!!!!!
More to come - I promise
Horse show is Saturday, so I will catch everyone up on Monday

Pray for me - pterydactyls are not so bad this time....maybe since I rode Rio pretty much all weekend.....that is her in the pics with me.

Also - sold Jag....he goes to his new home on Sunday.
More to come
Love you all
J

Been missing ........

2008-09-29T12:07:00.000-07:00

Really I have not been missing. Just busy, busy.....work has been incredible, and by the time I get home, I have been dead on my feet.

We left Thurs for a 3 day trail camping weekend. I will post pics on Thurs and tell ya all about it.

Rode the new horse Rio (the one I have been showing) and I think she will be my new trail mount. She was awesome. Actually put Jag up for sale today.....(boohoo), but heck I am sending Chick to the trainer in December and I can't ride 3 at a time...LOL

Anyway - been watching you all and reading, and I will get back in the swing of things soon

Have a show this weekend.....so should have some good posts for the next couple of weeks anyway

Until then
Jamie

Trail ride at Seven Springs

2008-09-09T13:27:00.001-07:00

Weekend before last, we went on a camping trip to Seven Springs in Tuscumbia, Alabama, about a 3 hour trip from our house.

We had a great time riding, with a couple of bad experiences. Bees and tying up.

Got there on Friday night about 6:00, after working 1/2 day and packing up.

Started setting up camp, and took Jag and Chance to their designated stalls.....as soon as I put Jag in there, he started going nuts-o-la....I noticed that wasps were stinging the crap out of him. I grabbed the gate and just let him loose. He ran around camp for a minute, then came right to me. Bless his heart.

Got the owner and he sprayed where they were and all was fine.

Got finished setting up and Janet had already cooked a big crock pot of Sloppy Joe's for everyone. Ate, and then walked and listened to some kareoke....(oh my....those poor people that think they can sing....LOL.....no really some were pretty good)

Went to bed, woke up early, fed the horses and cooked a huge breakfast.

Got tacked up, and off we went.

It was gorgeous. Had lots of rock formations, some indian burial grounds, etc. (I forgot my camera, but the pictures are what Valarie took - I hate it when I forget my camera)

Very pretty yellow flowered covered fields....

This is Bear and I coming across the field.

Very nice ride, until...........we found the yellow jackets....or they found us.....I only got stung once, Janice got 10 stings, Bear, Chase got stung once, and Janet got it about 3 times. I am sure the horses got stung as well, but could not really see any bad places on them.

Ran into some great people on the trails, from 4 year olds to 60 year olds. Everyone was enjoying themselves, but almost everyone talked about the bees, so I think they were in more places than just where we were.

We rode for about 5 hours, and it was very very hot, nicer in the woods, but still humid and all the horses were very tired and sweaty.

Got back to camp, and everyone but a couple of us decided to nap. (no me - I am not a napper)

I went in after a little bit to change into some shorts, and there was a hard knock on my camper door.....I opened it and someone was saying "your horse is down"......scared the poop out of me.

I ran to Janet's camper (she is a vet-tech) freaked her out - she almost came out in her panties, grabbed a couple more friends from their sleep.

Jag was down in his stall. It took about 6 of us to get him up....he was almost cast in there, he had cut his nose and was bleeding a little bit. I just thought he had tried to lay down and got caught. But as soon as I got him up and out....he started going down again.

We listened to his gut and he had great gut sounds. He was very tight in his belly and chest. He was tying up (well heck - with all the bee stings and the hot and hard ride - I felt horrible). We gave him 10cc of banamine and then gave him some JC's X Ty-Up. Girls, buy some of this now !!! He was so much better in about 30 minutes. I continued to walk him for about 45 minutes to an hour, but he started trying to eat grass, and wanted to be back with his buddies.

I have never been so scared in my life (except one time when I had a horse choke for about 3-4 hours - even with the vet there working on him)....I check on him all night long, but he was fine.

We did enjoy some more kareoke and heard it got a little wild after we left....glad we did. I would hate to break out my booty shaking and pole dancing for strangers...but I would !!

Needless to say - we did not ride the next day as planned - we just packed up and came on home.

I did have a great, relaxing time.....except for the moments of craziness.

Resting on the trail

I am the one in front of the girl in blue.

We found this on the trail, and Chase just had to get off and get a picture made with it.

It is amazing what people will just throw away on our horse trails. Although it is good for desensitizing. LOL

We really had a nice time......just hanging out with my friends. I hate that Jag got sick, but was so thankful for Janet taking care of him. I wish she would go to vet school....she is so good and smart.

Going at the end of the month to KC Ranch in Double Springs, Alabama. One of my most favorite places to go and pretty much where "Seatbelt for my Saddle" originated - the name that is. I have had about 3 accidents there....hopefully not one this time.....and I will not forget my camera.

One last thing.......Tonya at There is a Season sent me an award......and it was so very sweet of her. I am glad to know that I can make her smile.....She has been going through some tough times with horrible people making terrible comments on her blog. She thinks she knows these people and Tonya is such a sweet Christian woman - I cannot believe anyone could be so mean. Thanks T....you make me smile too - especially that Baby Bird over there - who is one gorgeous baby !! And I "got-yo-back" anytime someone wants to rumble with you !!!!

I am supposed to tag five people.....now how can I do that. I smile at each and every blog that I read. So you are all tagged !!!!!!!!!!!! If you read this - copy this and put it on your blog....I will be looking !!!!! And know you are making me smile !!!!!!

Happy Trails...

Jamie

Playing "Catch Up"

2008-09-05T07:05:00.000-07:00

I have been here, I promise....some of you have seen my comments I have made on your blogs, so I have been reading, just have not had the chance to blog.

After the sister crisis, being off work so much, then Labor Day, I have just been trying to play catch up at work - which is mostly when I blog (don’t tell). When I get home each day, I have to take care of the animals, the Bear, return farrier phone calls, wash clothes, cook, clean up, etc.... You all know the drill. By the time I could even get to the computer.....my eyes are crossed. Anyway - just giving an idea of why I have been away.

On to bigger and better things......I have a meme to fulfill and an award to claim. I think I will claim my AWARD first.

Trailridingcowgirl over at All Things Horse bestowed upon me the "I love your blog" award
....I am so excited....see secretly I have always wanted this one.....I mean first of all it is pretty, and second it means someone does love my blog....

When I first started doing this, I just compared myself to the others I had been reading, those who have been doing this for a long time, and I sucked !! LOL But now after getting comments, awards, etc. I have realized I just need to be myself, tell my stories and the rest will come naturally.....and with a little help from my BBF’s, who have helped me along the way.

There are so many blogs out there who I love to read, so I don’t want to overlook anyone.
But here are just a few (all you others I love you too!!)
I know some of you already have this award, and you don’t even have to mention that I gave you another one - just know I love you !

Oh Horse Feathers - one if my first bloggy friends

The Horseshoeing Housewife - who I missed badly when she was gone

Cowboys, Kids, and Sunsets - I love your photos and artwork (I have one !!)

Nuzzling Muzzles - Your horses are gorgeous

Laughing Orca Ranch - one of my newest bloggy friends

You guys can pass it on it you would like...(I say no rules for this one!)
There are so many more out there that I read, and you all know because I try to comment as much as I can.

I am so lucky to have made friends with all of you.

So now - still catching up.

A week or so ago - TrainWreck tagged me with a Meme.....to tell 7 Strange Characteristics about myself.....Well not sure if these are characteristics or flaws....LOL
But here goes. I am not going to tag anyone else....but please feel free to "Tell us all !"

1. I too, do not eat chocolate (like TrainWreck), in fact I pretty much do not eat sweets. Now, I love candy (anything gummy), but pies, cakes, etc....just do not have the "like".

2. I love beer. I would rather drink a beer than a softdrink. I am not an alcoholic, but I do have a beer or two a couple of nights a week - I like the taste !!

3. I have a belly ring that I do not wear anymore - I have gained too much weight and it gets lost...LOL....I also have a tattoo of a heart with a rose going through it on my right shoulder. I really really want another one!! I want a tramp stamp on my lower back.

4. My two dogs sleep with me everynight....in the bed. I have a boxer and a weenie dog, and they sleep between Bear and I. He hates this and it gets a little hairy when we fool around..LOL

5. I love to skinny dip. I have a pool and it is pretty much hidden from the public. But I also like to skinny dip in the lake or river......I just feel free !

6. I have 2 jobs. The one I have been doing for 15 years (Office Manager) and for the past 5 years I have been Bear’s "do-aller". I schedule all his appts (he is a farrier), I return all phone calls, I answer questions about abcesses, founder, etc. I do his books also. I am a very tired person.

7. Last but certainly not least......I hate underwear - panties I mean. I have to wear a bra. But I do hate panties. They bind....they hurt. I do wear them when I wear a skirt or dress, but with shorts or jeans......I go Commando !!!!!

Well that is about it.....don’t judge !!! LOl

Please feel free to take this own over to your blog and tell all !!

I am getting another post ready, we went to Seven Spring Lodge this past weekend, and it was an adventure......it was gorgeous....but we got in bees, and Jag tied up....so it was scary. Will try to get that one done no later than Monday.

Again, thanks for all the support and prayers for my sister....she is home now and doing great !
Love to you all
J

Testing .....testing.....testing....1..2..3

2008-08-28T06:37:00.001-07:00

Ok, thanks Nuzz Muzz for telling me how....now I am going to try.

This is just a test....for the next few lines.....it will only be a test...LOL

Nuzzling Muzzles

Cowboys and Sunsets

This is cool !!!!!

Will try to get my other post done this afternoon....if I can get a second....plus trying to come up with 7 strange things about me......I kinda feel like I am copying TrainWreck's post.....several of her characteristics apply to me as well.

Thanks again Nuzz Muzz !!! Your the best !!
Jamie

Help me....someone...

2008-08-27T14:34:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to figure out how to post a link like everyone else does.

What I mean is when I try to post a link to someone else's blog I have to do this:

http://www.cowboysandsunsets.com/
(Sorry TrainWreck....I needed an example)

I want it to just say Cowboys and Sunsets and for that to link to their site.

Please, please someone tell me how to do this. My posts look goober-ish and I look like a goofball.

Want to get this figured out before I post the Meme that TrainWreck tagged me with
Strange Things About Me You Might Never Have Found Out...

Thanks in advance.....I am still new at this.
Jamie

OK - that was weird....when I copied that from TrainWreck's blog, it created a link to that post.....now if I could just figure out the rest.....HELP !!!!

Woop-eee !!!! Woop-eee !!!! Woop-eee !!!!

2008-08-25T13:20:00.000-07:00

Did not want to post until it happened for sure.....but...........

Stevie is on her way home in the car......Yeah !!!!!!!

She has been doing great all weekend, I stayed up there a pretty good bit....got out of bed, took showers, walked and did great.

Drs came in yesterday morning and said she could go home today !!!

We are soooo glad. They will be having physical therapy come to the house each day to work with her, because she still can't climb steps or stay up for very long, so she will just have to work at that and build her muscles back up.

But she is doing great !
Thanks again for all the support.

I promise I have been reading your blogs and commenting when I had time, but I am ready to get back in the swing of things. Might even go on a horse camping trip this weekend....

Jamie

Thankful Thursday !

2008-08-21T13:15:00.000-07:00

Well since having the ventilator for 14 days and then going to the bi-pap.....preparing today to move her to step-down ICU.

She is now on the nasal canuals and they are discussing moving her to a regular room (with monitoring) this afternoon.

I am so thankful that it is turning out so well. This will be good also because I can go stay with her at night and give my parents a break. I have done this before....I just take a shower before I go, get up the next morning- slam on some makeup, pull my hair on top of my head and get to work.

Thanks again to everyone for their thoughts, prayers, comments. You all mean the world to me.

Jamie

Thanks be to God !!!

2008-08-19T11:15:00.000-07:00

SHE IS OFF THE VENTILATOR !!!!!!!

Thanks for all of your support and prayers !!! God is Good !!!

We still have a pretty long road ahead of us, but at least we are on the road to recovery !!!

Love you all
Jamie

PS.....Can't wait to catch up on everyone's blogs....I have missed you all, but hopefully I can get back in the swing of things soon.

A good day !!!

2008-08-13T13:05:00.000-07:00

Just got back from hospital - she looks so much better, and is feeling better - she says....or writes...she has used an entire tablet in just one day since she has been able to write now.

They changed her antibiotics Monday, she is doing much better. Monday she was horrible, sounded like a bubbling brook in her chest, and it hurt so badly when they suctioned her. She sounds much better and was off the vent today for one hour, Dr said she had only been able to do it for 15 minutes or so. So she will keep building up time off the vent and be able to go to bi-pap, then maybe out of ICU.

Thanks for all your prayers - I appreciate it so much

Updating

2008-08-12T07:43:00.001-07:00

Things have been hectic as you can imagine. But wanted to give an update on Stevie.

Still in ICU, still on ventilator. I guess the pneumonia is causing her to have fluid on her lungs. So several times a day they have to suck it out. This is very very painful, and she is having to get pain meds and meds to sedate her also. This kinda puts a set back on getting her off the vent, when she is sedated she is not breathing on her own. Kind of a double edged sword.

She spiked a fever last night of 102.7, but they did get it down.

All we can do now is just pray...pray for comfort, pray for my parents, pray for faith. I know that God is with her and will do what he needs to do with her. She is just so pitiful and it makes me sad.

I had her watching horses on Animal Planet yesterday while they were suctioning, but bless her heart it just hurt so badly.....we were both crying.

Thanks for all of your comments, they mean so much to me, and I know you are all with me and praying.

Will update when I can.
Jamie

A little prayer request !!!!

2008-08-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in my post (things you don't know about me), I have a sister who has Prader-Willi syndrome. She is very overweight, has diabetes, congestive heart failure, etc. because of this disease. She is also borderline mentally retarded.
She had to be taken to the ER yesterday because of low blood oxygen levels. They kept her for observation overnight.
She has now taken a turn for the worse, and they have put her in ICU and are discussing putting her on a ventilator.

Now we have been through this over and over for the past 5 years, but something just seems worse this time. She was on a vent 2 years ago for 14 days and they did not think she would come off.
If you could all please just say a little prayer for her and my family. Not sure how much more my parents can take. Her name is Stevie Glass

I just feel so bad for her....Stevie is 25, but mentally is still a child and she hates to be alone.....I wish they would let me or my mom stay with her - but they did not last time, so I guess they won't this time either. Maybe she will be out of there soon. Hopefully they are giving her something to help her rest and she is sleeping a lot.

Will try to keep updating here.....we are supposed to leave for the beach tomorrow (Bear and I), but not sure if we will still go or not.....it is only 3.5 hours away, but I hate to leave my mom....Of course she says "go on and go....we will be fine"....I just have not decided what to do.

Here is a picture of Stevie and Rio at the show last week - she loves my horses....and they love her too.

Update: 4:45pm.....Just got a call from mom.....they are putting her on the ventilator now. Well hopefully she will sleep well from the meds. I will see her in the morning and update.

Update: 1:25pm (Thurs)

Just got back from the hospital. She is pretty much sedated but knew we were there, she squeezed my hand when I asked her if she could hear me.

They said she has pneumonia but they have her on antibiotics, also she has a lot of fluid on her lungs and heart. They have her on IV lasiks, and she is getting rid of a lot quickly.
Her dioxide is at 52 now instead of 107 - which is great.
Also dr said they have her on minimal ventilator, and will be trying to wake her up and wean her off of it completely.
Dr also said she is doing good, and making great progress.....

Thanks for all the prayers - they are working

Will update when I can - but it might be Monday.

The Horse Show

2008-07-29T11:29:00.001-07:00

I have never been so nervous in all my life. Have been getting ready for this for weeks, but was fine...no nerves....until Friday....then it started. Crazy, crazy nerves. I went to Janet's to ride Rio, she was fantastic, did everything asked of her. But then everything Janet was telling me to do, was going in one ear and out the other. I could not retain anything. I just said to myself oh well, it will all work out. She had planned for me to wear a radio in my ear and she would talk me through it.
Took Rio home and tucked her in. Swam Friday evening to relax and had a few beers, and played Wii. Went to bed at around 11pm and at 6am I was wide awake, and those big gigantic birds were in my gut.
Got Rio out and scrubbed her clean, braided her tail and mane.....thanks Janet and Jen for helping me. Also thanks Jen for helping me do everything that morning. I had no brain. About 15 minutes before we left I started feeling sick.....then I threw up on the driveway....LOL.....everyone was laughing at me.....including myself.
Drove to the show, and was kinda getting excited. Drank a couple of beers to try to calm the nerves. Got the show clothes on and man it was HOT !!!
Got her all tacked up (Gosh she was pretty).....rode her around the showgrounds a bit, I thought she would be nervous too, but she acted like a pro.
Then it was time for my class, I was only supposed to show in one class, but Jim and Bear ended up signing me up for another one right after the one I was going into. Which freaked me out again. But I was trying to be a big girl....
Went into the ring, and felt I was doing okay......did my thing.....or I think I did, I actually just could not believe I was in there. Did the slow walk, then the favorite gait....okay going smoothly. The judge asked for a reverse.....I am thinking okay - turn toward the judge - one handed now. And then I realized I just did a 360.....OMG.....what did I just do????? Janet was in my ear, "Turn back around!!!!!" and goofy me hollered out......"I AM!!!" I guess not thinking that everyone could hear me.......Everyone just laughed. So I did a reining manuever in a gaited show....LOL !!!! We lined up and Rio backed for me really nicely. Bless her heart - she was probably thinking......."I need to get this right - Mom has already made and Ass of herself" There were only 3 horses in this class and I did get 2nd. So I was glad.
Next class......I just stayed in the ring....and low and behold I was the only participant.....oh great - not only am I a bag of nerves.....but now I have to be one with this whole place starring at me. Did the best I could and felt it was okay for my first show.....and guess what I got a 1st......LOLOLOLOL.....OK what else could I get....I was the only participant......(Do not tell anyone and they will never know. )
The judge did tell me that I had a gorgeous mare and I should be showing her every weekend. So there !!!! Or maybe he was just being nice......he was really thinking - you have a gorgeous mare - find someone who knows what they are doing to show her......no really - he was very very complimentary and very nice.
The best thing about the entire day was that all of my friends were there to support me....And my mom, my dad, my sister, and one of my daughters were there.
We had a blast and I cannot wait to do it again - I will be better next time......(remember 180 Jamie, not 360)

Some pictures:

2008-07-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

Where to start.....ok - let’s start with my award......or should I say now AWARDS !! Woo-Hoo !!
To my surprise - checked on Monday and had received an Arte y Pico Award from TrainWreck over at http://www.cowboysandsunsets.com/. I cannot believe I actually got an award......I am so new at this and still trying to figure things out - like adding pictures, etc. Not to mention I don’t think I am very interesting, even though I do have a crazy, busy life and sometimes funny things to happen to me.....(stay tuned). Anywhoo - THANKS TrainWreck - you are a "Gem" and I love reading your blog, looking and your pictures - especially the one I have at my house !!!!! You are truly a great BBF to me !! (By the way - I love the BBF - and have been using it alot - hope you don’t care)

Here is my award from TrainWreck - my giveaways are below

Then this morning, another shocker !!! I got another award.....this time from Twinville from http://laughingorcaranch.blogspot.com/. It is an Awesome Site Award......(Man, do I have a lot to live up to now).

I have just found her and started reading her blog......(actually she found me.....so then I went over and spent about half a day catching up on her blog - and I love it). A HUGE THANKS to you to girl, my new BBF !!!!

Here is my award from Twinville:

So now I have to give away some Arte y Pico Awards.....that will not be hard to do ......I have so many that I love to read. So here goes:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you think deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.4. The award-winner and the one who has given the prize must show the link of the "Arte y Pico" blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award. http://arteypico.blogspot.com/

One of my first blogs to start reading is also a friend of mine who I met on AL/GA Horse Lovers site (http://groups.msn.com/AlabamaandGeorgiaHorseLovers/), we have gotten to be friends via the web and email. The most exciting part of knowing Tonya is that I got to be a part of her having a new baby this year. She kept me posted on finding out, going through the pregnancy and even sent me an email from the hospital along with pictures and all. Baby Bird is adorable and every time I get new pictures, everyone in my office has to come see her. She is adorable. Tonya’s first husband and father of 2 of her girls passed away, and she remarried a wonderful man who has stepped up to the plate (Big Time), has become a terrific father to her girls and even enjoys the horses and her daughters barrel racing. Tonya also inspires me to be a better Christian, she is very devoted to her faith and always knows the right things to say to me when I am down. I have shared personal stuff with her and she always helps me get through it. Tonya you are the best........http://www.thereisaseason.net/

Second will have to be Trail Riding Cowgirl at http://trailridingcowgirl.blogspot.com/ I have been reading her blog for a while, but we have just now started corresponding. I realized she was going on a trail ride not too far from me, and realize it was a possibility to us to hook up sometimes and meet. She has a horse named Harley who is gorgeous and I love reading about him and what great progress he has made.....or she has made with him. Love ya girl and we need to plan that ride to Buffalo River next year.....

Third ........will have to be Mrs Mom at http://ohhorsefeathers.blogspot.com/ . I love, love, love to read her blog......her rants, her flip outs on crazy people who put their children on crazy horses....LOL......but we have lots in common.....although we are not barefoot trimmers, my hubby Bear is a farrier.....now I love that she does not "Dog" us.....LOL....and I think she knows that Bear loves the idea of keeping a horse barefooted and sound and he tries to do this as much as possible.....while still keeping our clients happy. Thanks Mrs Mom for always giving me great comments and cheering me on.....(BTW....keep her on your good side.....She carries !!)

Fourth will have to be Jen at http://brightlondonsky.blogspot.com/ ......Now I am very interested in reading horsey blogs, but Jen is freaking hilarious. She brightens my day with her funny take on things.......she will just post a work conversation and I almost pee in my pants......I followed her this year with the passing of her father (Bless her heart - I cried with her, even though she does not know it).....and the reunion of her 1st love......they are moving along quite well, and I enjoy reading the joy in her posts of them reuniting. Great job keeping me in stitches Jen.

Last, but certainly not least....is Tanis at http://theredneckmommy.com/ .....Now I think I found this blog through TrainWreck and she is really really popular, so hope she appreciates this award from me. She may not even be able to read all of her comments (she gets so many), and realize I sent it to her......But if nothing else, I can share her link with you.....She is soooooooo funny - this girl will make you shoot whatever you are drinking out of your nose.....(so make she not to take a swallow before you read). She is so graphic with her writing, that you almost feel you are watching her on a movie or something. I really really enjoy her blog as well.

Ok - now with all of that done.....I now remember I have been tagged by Twinville at http://laughingorcaranch.blogspot.com/ ....to spill the beans.....or to share 6 things you guys do not know about me......Ok - here goes.....(not in any particular order or importance).

#1.....I have 3 dads....or at least I had 3 dads.....2 living. My biological dad died when I was 3. He was shot, and the man who shot him is still in prison....and I hope he stays there. My mom was very young - probably 21, and met Dad #2, shortly there after and married him. He adopted me shortly there after and that is where I learned what I know about horses. He raised and broke horses and his entire family was involved one way or another with horses......breaking, showing, raising, etc.....So that is where I learned to love "The Horse".....after 12 years of marriage my "parents" divorced, and 4 years later my mom met my Dad #3....who is still my dad today. I was fifteen or so when they married and bless his heart - he had to put up with a crazy teenager. He had not kids of his own, so about 2 years later they had a little girl. My sister and I are 17 years apart. I do not have much to do with Dad #2, as he has been married about 4 times since then, and has oogles of step-sons, and step-daughters and now is living with my best friend from high school...That is right my 65 year old dad is with my 42 year old friend......and that is just weird to me. Anyway they have their own little crazy life, and some of the things they do I don’t approve of or want around me or my family, so I am just proud that I have Dad #3.

#2. My sister that I was speaking about above has Prater-Willie Syndrome. It is a genetic disorder, which causes obesity and borderline mental problems. She is 25 years old and has been in and out of the hospital her entire life. She has diabetes, congestive heart failure, she is very obese, and has lots and lots of problems. My poor mother has her hands full and I respect her more than any other person on this planet. She has spent thousands and thousands of dollars trying to help her. She will never be able to live on her own. There is no cure.

#3. I have severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. I take Embrel shots twice a week, and my doctor says I could go on disability if I wanted to. I said "NO!". He also has told me to be as active as I can, and keep riding horses as long as I can. It keeps me going. My doctors wife has Lupus which is similar (T-1 illness) and she is a hunter-jumper. He says if it were not for her horses she would go insane.

#4. I have been married twice. I was married to my girl’s father for 12 years. Got married at 18.....I was pregnant. Had Jess - my oldest the month before I turned 19, and had Haleigh 15 months later. (I finally realized what caused it..LOL) After 12 years, my husband decided he wanted to be single and party all the time, which you cannot do with 2 small girls. So we parted ways. It killed my girls.....he was a great father and after the split he hardly ever saw them. I met Bear, and we fell in love, and have been married for almost 11 years now. We tried to have kids (I had a tubal-reversal), but it never happened. Bear is looking forward to grandkids. He did not have any of his own before - (Oh - he was married for a couple of years to a girl that he had been dating since they were 15 years old.....it was hard on him)....but then I came along and SAVED HIM......tee-hee !

OK......let’s get to some happier stuff.......

#5. I love beer !!! I love beer !!!! I know - most people say.....oh gross....I hate the taste of beer. Well not me !! I love it - would rather drink it than coke, tea, or anything. I am not an alcoholic....I promise. But it does drive Bear crazy. He is not a beer drinker - now he does love him some Crown....

#6. I hate to clean house !!!! I hate to wash clothes !! I hate to cook !!! I should have been a man !! Really, really I do hate housework - of course I do not know many women who like housework. Bear is a clean freak, and he has really had to adjust to me. Now I am not a slob or nasty. I clean when it needs to be cleaned - I am just not OCD. I hate to make up the bed every morning......why do this? I will be back soon to get back in it. I hate to dust.....it makes me sneeze, and when I sneeze - I pee in my pants. I need a bladder tack. I need a maid.

Well that is about it.....This is the longest post ever !!

Gonna go ahead and get this one done and hopefully later today I can get the horse show pictures on, and tell you all about my day.

Do just want to say - I am really trying to get better at this, and thanks to everyone for the support I have gotten so far.

Also I need to figure out how to post just the name of the blog and it link to it instead of having the entire link......help someone !!

Crap and now having trouble getting my paragraphs to separate.....I guess #7 should be I am very new at this......oh you all already know that !!!

Whew!!

Jamie

So much to tell.....so little time !!

2008-07-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, Ok, Ok
Gonna make a quickie here, but will elaborate tomorrow (I promise). Work is crazy today, and I did not get here until noon. I have a great job and usually have a little time each day to post. But had a sick doggie this morning and had to make a vet stop.

Horse show was fine. I was nervous as hell.....threw up on the driveway before I left..LOL
Got a blue and a red ribbon (but will have to explain those......don't get too excited)
Rio was fantastic......actually better than fantastic and tried to help me not look like an idiot (I said she tried - more later) But all in all I had a fantastic time and am READY to go again !!

Train Wreck at http://www.cowboysandsunsets.com/ has made my day and given me an Arte y Pico award and I will list all about that and my awards I would like to hand out.
You sweet pea, Train Wreck - how did you know I needed this????

Also I have been tagged by Twinville at http://laughingorcaranch.blogspot.com/ to list 6 things you don't know about me......oh this will be good.

Anyway everyone - please be patient.....The rest of my week should allow me plenty of time for pictures from the horse show and allow me to share my embarrassment (oh yeah !!)......and also to give back to the bloggy world for what I have been given.....

I love you all for your support this past weekend.......friends (for being there, holding my hair..LOL, taking pictures, sharing your lipstick, beer, etc.......; BBF (Best Blog Friends) for your support and awards !!!!

Jamie

There are Pterodactyls in my stomach !! Oh my !!

2008-07-24T14:18:00.000-07:00

So this Saturday will be my first ever show. Bear has talked me into showing Rio, our new SSH. I am sooooooo nervous already. I keep running it through my head - everything from taking the blue....to.....falling on my Ass.....(fat ass -I might add....remember "John Goodman").

Anyway - this is a very short post and work has been HELL this week with a guy originally from Australia who now lives in Japan has been in our office all week training. I had to train him all day Tuesday which means today (Thurs) I am still doing Wednesday's work. I am supposed to get off tomorrow at noon to go ride Rio for the last time until doomsday.....Saturday. So got to get back to the grindstone and finish this crap up.

Just wanted to ask everyone in blogville or shoot me some good vibes......pray.....give sacrifices....whatever you need to do to get me through Saturday without puking on a judge...LOL

I have no expectations of ribbons (although she did get a yellow her first show - but that was with an experienced show rider), but just want to get my feet wet, and see if this is something I might want to do outside of trail riding.

Thanks guys in advance for the good vibes, and I will have pictures to post on Monday.
Oh also have a post and pictures in the works of Chance (Bear's TWH) helping him wash the truck - suds on the muzzle and all.

Until Monday.......
Happy showring...
Barnchik !!

Gosh...and all along I thought I was cute... :)

2008-07-17T14:15:00.001-07:00

Ok - so this morning while I was blog trolling...ie..reading all of my best blogs....I came across something that sounded fun....."What celebrity do I look like?" I was over at TrainWreck's blog http://www.cowboysandsunsets.com/ and she had the neatest thing....you can load your photo and this website will match you with who you look like (celebrity-wise). The site is http://www.myheritage.com/collage ......if you dare !!!!!

So here I go ..... I upload my picture, now it is not the greatest picture.....I don't take many pictures of myself....mostly I am the camera holder.....anyway I proceed.....it takes a few minutes to get the results.....and low and behold it matches me with 8 celebs.....ok so I forgot to pick the gender.....but there were only 2 women celebs that I matched with - of whom I do not think I look like at all....but I also didn't think I was as chunky as I am until I saw some pool pictures this year (Note to self: You gotta start that diet)

Ok....so the women I look like are ..... Sofia Coppola 58% (who I don't know) and Rachel McAdams 58% (from The Notebook).....she is gorgeous and I look nothing like her....

Now for the real eye-opener !!!
It says I look like Michael Keaton 54%; Luke Perry 55% (I always knew I could be on Bev Hills 90210); Gene Hackman 57% for Christ sakes; Norman Mailer 57% (Hey Marilyn Monroe would have loved me); Liam Neeson 59%......Now....this is what takes the cake

The celeb that I most look like 63%......is...............John Goodman.....WTF !!!!! Roseanne's husband???????
OK, I know I have gained a few pounds.....but John Goodman.....OMG!!!! I am devastated !!

I guess I should start taking the booty calls from the Bear when I can get them, instead of pretending I am asleep......I guess I should be glad he still loves me and wants to be with me .....I mean I do look like John Goodman.......

or should I worry about the Bear????

Thanks TrainWreck - really, really this was fun.......no joke

This weekend - I am getting my hair done, my make up done and having a professional photographer take some pictures of me........then I am going back and doing it again !!! LOL

Ok - everyone try this.....I was going to post the results on here, but decided it was too depressing......so maybe I will if I can get some better looking celebs.....or at least some women !!

I am going home now to love on my horses.....at least they don't care if I look like John Goodman.

Until next time.
Happy Trails !!

A great day at my house !! Indepence Day for Chick !!

2008-07-07T12:26:00.000-07:00

Chick is now 14 months old.....been working with her on her ground work and yesterday my trainer / friend J came over to help me. Brought her driving stuff, and put the saddle on for the first time. She did so good....J even got on her for a couple of minutes and made a loop or two around the round pen. She did not even blink an eye. I am so proud of this little filly, and I can't wait til I can take her on the trail. We have just bonded like no other horse I have ever had. I hope we continue our relationship like it is going.
I am not a trainer by any means and this is my first ground up horse....so I hope I am doing her justice. Just been taking a little bit of info from everyone and doing my own thing.

Here are some pictures. Hope to keep updating her progress via my bloggie....

Have not been posting much, but I definitely have been reading everyone's blogs and just enjoy my little time in the day finding out what everyone has been up to.

Saddle on for first time

Getting the bit

Driving

Learning to back with the bit.

1st ride....(only for a minute or two)

The On lookers !!!!

Trail Challenge last weekend

2008-06-06T09:39:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures of my friend Krystal riding in the trail challenge this past weekend - Krystal you did a magnificent job showing everyone how it is done and they better be glad you were not competing.....Krystal rocks !!!

We had about 15 competitors and gave trophies......A 15 year old girl won it.....way to go cowgirl!

Way to go everyone......I did not compete - I had to work it, plus it was about 94 degrees.....way to hot for me.....
Happy trails until next time
J

Water Fun !!!!

2008-05-29T14:38:00.000-07:00

Now that was fun......this is the first time I have ridden Jag in water (well deep water), and we both loved it.

Went to Heart of Dixie this past weekend in Troy, Alabama with a few friends and had a blast.

My friend Kat is riding Chance - he looks like and alligator in the last picture. The boys absolutely loved cooling off after a hot, hot ride.

Thanks to all my great friends - we had a blast camping and riding.

Love you all !!

Having a "Trail Challenge" with the club this weekend, not riding anything - I have to run the score table. But will try to get some pictures of that - it should be a blast.

Until next time

Happy Trails.

Rio the "Showgirl"

2008-05-21T14:17:00.000-07:00

Here is Rio.....at the last minute we decided to take her to the Columbiana Walking Horse Show this past Saturday....now keep in mind - she has only had 60 days of training, never been in a show ring, or anywhere for that matter. It was just a fun thing that we wanted to do just to see how she would do.
Now this is a huge show - horses from all over that do this every weekend. She was in a class of 9. Gaited Country Pleasure. There was music, noise, people screaming, white plastic stuff all around flapping. She went in there and acted like she owned the place. Never once acted scared. She got in, settled, and went to town.
"She took 3rd"
We were so proud - I even started crying....I was just so proud of her!!!!!

She loved the attention - all day - everyone oogling over her - bathing, braiding, scratching, rubbing....etc....
She is such a good girl, and we have fallen head over heels......
Thinking we might have found her "thing"....we will see.

Thanks to all my friends who helped get her ready, came to the show, and cheered her on.
I love you guys !!!
(Also BIG THANKS to Janet who showed her..and trained her - you are the best.)
Happy Trails and Showring !!
Jamie

Fun Weekend....and meet my new girl !!

2008-04-14T14:34:00.000-07:00

Had a wonderful weekend with friends, playing with horses, cooking out - just an overall great time.

Took Jag over and worked on his gait - tried a new bit, and he seems much more comfortable (I am more comfortable)

This is Rio - she is a 3 year old SSH that Bear and I have decided to keep....she has been in training for 30 days now and is doing great !!! I actually might show her some. Isn't she pretty. Jag is staying over for a week or so and they have become quite good friends.

Will continue to update how her progress is going - Bear rode her on Saturday, I am not quite ready for that yet....she is still a little too green for me.

Been gone, been gone so long !!!

2008-04-09T13:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been out of touch....been crazy busy with work and have been camping and riding past two weekends.

Have been having a blast working with Jag - getting his gait correct.....i.e. learning how to ride a gaited horse.....his gait is just fine when someone who knows what they are doing is riding him.

Went and took a lesson with J. so doing so much better - still have lots to learn.

Had a friend loose her prize stallion yesterday to colic. I feel so bad for her, she loved him so much and he gave them so many great babies. His babies are the bombs.....great little SSH show horses. And Bumble Bee was a great show horse himself. He will be missed. Cross on over that Rainbow Bridge Bumble Bee and we will all see you one day.

Supposed to go to a trail challenge this weekend, but it might get rained out - supposed to rain on Friday really bad....so might make for a muddy mess on Saturday.

Hopefully, I will be able to keep up my blog better.....plan to not travel for next couple of weeks anyway.
Until next time
J

Happy Birthday to me !!!!!! SURPRISE !!!!!

2008-03-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

Well not today, but it was March 18th......

My sweet-sweet hubby Bear threw me a surprise birthday party on March 15th.

He woke me up that morning and told me we had to run errands, and I had to go with him.

So we got ready - drove to Montgomery (capital city of Alabama....) to pick up farrier supplies. While we were there - he suggested we go to the tack store (Twisted spur) he wanted to look for a few items....sure by me....I could look for some jeans - and I did - bought me a new pair of Cruel Girls. Then of course, we had to stop by BassPro in Prattville, and ate there of course, the best resturant ever !!!

We then needed to run by our old barn and pick up some hay we had stored there, and ended up getting back to Clanton around 3:30....ran by the grocery store to pick up a couple of items and when we were heading to the driveway - I said to Bear.....

"Someone is at our house" (I could see a car - then I could see many, many cars).....he said "Happy Birthday"

He is such a stinker......he had one of my very best friends Jen handled everything - clean my house (thank goodness it was not too bad).....and coordinate everything. Called everyone - decorated.....and just downright handled it !!!

I have never been more excited and surprised in my life. They had everything decorated.....a horsey cake.....cooking wings.....and beer for me !!! Woo-Hoo !!!

Here are a couple of shots of the day .......... we did not take pictures after the sun went down !! for various reasons.....LOLOLOLOL

Me - when I got out of the truck.......SURPRISE !!!!!!!!!!!

This is Jen......she is a sweet-heart and one of my bestest friends!

Kat taking pictures

Even Sugar got in on some action, when her friend Mollie came to play

My cute horsey cake !!!!

My BFF J. (on left) and the fun fun fun fun Beck (on right)

My forever and ever BFF - Stacy

Kat - are those real?????

We got crazier as the sun went down !!

Anyone notice the mardi-gras beads around my neck.

(I was good - I promise......teehee)

A huge thank you to everyone involved in this scheme !!!!

I have the best friends in the entire world and I am truly blessed to be loved by all these people.

Most of all - I have a wonderful husband who loves me !!! I love you Bear !!

I am going to kill my farrier !!!!!

2008-02-29T09:28:00.000-08:00

LOLOLOLOL
My hubby....Bear.....
He came home showing me this huge huge cut on his head, right above his forehead, in the hairline.
"Look where I got kicked by a horse today"
OMG - I almost died......I scares me to death sometimes, especially when he goes and does a horse when no one is home.
I freaked out....."What horse??? What horse???"

He then proceeded to tell me he was working on his four-wheeler and hit his head on the footpeg.
I was ready to beat his booty !!!!

He thought it was funny......I did not !!!!!

We are supposed to have beautiful weather this weekend.....and he wants to work around the house.....not me - I want to ride.
Maybe we can split the difference - I will work Sat and we can ride Sunday !!!

Everyone have a great weekend !!
Happy Trails
J

Wonderful weekend....

2008-02-25T13:00:00.000-08:00

Had a great weekend.......Started off thinking it was not going to be that great. We were supposed to camp and ride with the club at Coleta Valley......camping would be primitive, but that was okay.....we packed up the generator (which we use sparingly), filled the trailer tanks with water and our 55 gallon extra tank for the horses and us if we run out. Well it started raining Thurs night.....it rained, it rained, it rained......and it rained......Was still raining a little bit Friday morning. I took off work to go to the grocery for supplies and so we could get move on before noon. Well then the call came.......no camping due to too much rain.....crappy !!!!
I was really disappointed even though we could still ride on Saturday, I wanted to camp all weekend. I knew if we rode Sat and came home then we probably would not ride again Sunday. I was jonesin' for some ridin' !!!!!
Just then.......Bear said...."Let's just go to KC".....www.kcranchalabama.com.....WOW!!! I was major game and we got the dogs and hopped in the truck.......Called 2 couples that were supposed to camp with us at Coleta and they were game also.
We got up there around 5:00 - set up camp - built a fire and cooked some burgers.
Got up Saturday morning and what??????? FREEZING.......OK now - weather man said 50's.....where the heck is the sun? I don't think it got over 38 degrees.
I brought no long underwear and then realized I had left my gloves.......eeeekkkkk!
But we dressed the best we could.....thank goodness I brought my new flannel lined chaps....cooked some breakfast (yummy eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits).....made lunches and tacked up. Left out and rode for about 4.5 hours. Had a great ride. Came back - warmed a Boston Butt I had bought earlier in the week......sat around the campfire and laughed and laughed at V. V. is a friend - she is 26 years old and is the funniest little thing. Her horse's name is Sugar (same as my dog) but I call her Miss America and it is now sticking - everyone is calling her that. She is the prettiest thing, with big eyes and loooooonnnnnngggg eyelashes. She is chestnut with flaxen mane and tail like Chance.
Got up Sunday morning, ate egg sandwiches and tacked up again. Rode for about 3 hours and packed up.
Got home around 5:00 - it was so good to see the fillies - they really missed the boys....they were chasing the trailer as we were driving into the pasture to drop the boys.
Just a fantastic weekend......
I did take several pictures and will post them tomorrow......great waterfall shots.
J

Been tagged.....

2008-02-14T12:51:00.000-08:00

Ok - I am supposed to post an old photo and explain the meaning....I think....

Well I looked and looked last night and really could not find anything. My mom has all of my old horse photos and that is what I would like to post....

So thought I would post a couple of accident photos....I mean my blog name is Seatbelt for my Saddle.

Here is number one....

This is my leg after Bear took a short cut through the woods, that ended up being a big huge rock bluff....so the minute the horses hit it, they started sliding and falling. I was riding a Big paint mare named Dixie (oh how I miss you Dixie), and bless her heart - she tried everything not to fall on me.....but we went down on her side and I baled off to help her regain her balance. But not before her and the saddle got my leg.

Picture #1

Believe me - it look like a year to heal. I had a huge knot on my leg forever.....I think this happened in 2006.

Next was March of 2007...We were at KC Ranch....www.kcranchalabama.com which is my favorite place to horse camp and we go there often. A few of us had got together and went, we got there on Friday early afternoon and decided to hit the trail. After about an hour we all stopped to let the horses drink at the bottom of a hill. I was relaxed letting Dixie drink - had my feet out of the stirrips and all of a sudden - everyone else took off up the hill - full speed. Dixie freaked out, and spun around to take off. Well it almost slung me off, but I recouped - then she took off and when she did I got off balance again....Well not good - there was a tree...I hit it smack on my right eye, it knocked me off the horse, knocked me out - I had a seizure (small).....Bear came to the rescue, smacked me in my face and woke me up. All was fine...(????). I got on my horse and rode sideways back to camp. A few of the gang had already ridden fast back to camp and called the paramedics, when we got to camp - they were ready to check me out....however, I was not....I tee-teed in my pants so was major embarrassed so I headed to the trailer first. LOL. I felt I was fine and refused to go to the hospital, but cannot for the life of me remember anything about that weekend......(this is just what I was told)

Here is right after the accident and then the next morning. By the way - I rode the next day.
Scarey looking huh?

This is Dixie....and by the way - both accidents happened while riding her. Although neither was her fault.

All is well, I am kinda used to it. I am pretty sure I had a concussion, as I already had one the year before - coming off a horse.....it was pretty much the same feeling....Bear checked on me all night and I was fine.....like I said rode the next day - I just don't remember it...LOL

Last accident was this past summer and I do not have photo evidence, but was walking down a hill and Jag stepped his right front foot into a 12" hole. I just went off the left side, tried to hold onto his neck and not hit the ground, but I was pulling him down on top of me, so I let go so he could get out of the hole and I hit the ground, face and shoulder first.....ouch...I have a scar from that one.....

OK - now I have to tag 3 others.....and I am so new at this - I don't really know so here goes...Please don't kill me....LOL

http://risingrainbow.blogspot.com/

http://equinemine.blogspot.com/

http://www.thereisaseason.net/

Sorry ya'll, but I love reading your blogs....if that means anything.

OK - now someone tell me how to let them know they have been tagged.....

Valentine Kisses

They finally got me......

2008-02-13T07:30:00.000-08:00

Been lurking at everyone's posts for a few days now seeing everyone get tagged for different things, stories, etc......7 things no one knows about me.......6 quirky horse things....etc....
So Oh Horsefeathers got me.....darn it....I thought I was in the clear since it seemed everyone was going back to the normal postings....LOL
I will post this later this afternoon....after I get "some" work done ....
Plus I have to think of 3 people to tag back.....
Stay tuned......
(Oh and thanks again Oh Horsefeathers)
J

Settlin' In

2008-02-07T13:43:00.000-08:00

Want to start off by saying that I have been trying to take some pictures of the fillies since I got them home.....but brought them home Sunday in the pouring rain....no pix.....then I did go home early on Monday to try to get some, got a few, but of course if was feeding time and all heads were down. Have not gotten home before dark any this week since, so no more pix yet. Am going to try to get some on Sunday, as we are trail riding this Sat, so probably will not get home in time for pix.

But this has been an adventure.....

Before someone bashes me about mixing in new horses.....let me say this first. Chance (Bear's TWH) loves the babies....he always has. When I had a boarding barn, I would wean the babies using him. I would always give the baby to him and he would protect them from the rest of the herd and also keep them occupied when they would cry for momma. So I was really not concerned about his actions. Now Jag on the other hand, I knew might be an issue, but he is really so laid back and is so in love with Chance I figured he would just follow Chance's lead.

We put the girls out with the boys and all was fine. Chance was grooming, and loving on them....while Jag just stayed clear....after about an hour - it started......Jag started chasing them around and trying to kick at them. Chance then followed suit. I was sooooo mad at them...got the girls away and put the boys in the front pasture. Chance was heartbroken......he just stood at the fence calling them. I guess Jag might have figured out that he is no longer at the bottom of the pecking order now....so he is going to show them.....

Well each day we have been giving them about an hour together and all has been well. So today I left them all out together (actually the girls broke my little home-made gate that I had between the pastures.....mental note - buy a 12 foot gate Friday). I have been worried all day and have begged Bear to try to get by there.....

Just got a text message from him.....a picture of all four....one baby laying down.....everyone is fine and dandy......whew....!!!!!!

I knew they would get it together.....either that or the boys would be in permanent time out !!

Here are a couple of pictures I took Monday afternoon.....

This is Chick and Destiny. Destiny is not mine, just borrowing her for a while, she is for sale.

Thanks for letting me share......

Bringing Home Baby !!!!

2008-01-30T13:53:00.001-08:00

Is that the cutest little SSH or what????? Well she is mine - all mine. I purchased her about 3 months ago and she has been at the owners until I was ready to bring her home. I kept putting it off....."We have trail rides and I don't want to leave her by herself"....."It is going to snow."...etc

Well my friend JM (where she is at)....is loaning me her little friend here....we call her Brown Baby.....Bear is not too happy, but oh well.....

This my friends is: "Pusher's Hot Chick" or Chick for her barn name. Her sire is Push It to the Limit out of Pusher's GC....and her dam is Caper's Hot Tail. She is a tri-colored SSH (Spotted Saddle Horse - which is just a gaited horse that is spotted - like a paint) She is 8 months old and the new love of my life. I am sooooooooooooo excited - she is coming home this weekend....not sure if Sat or Sun, but I will be doing a picture diary I am sure.

She is the sweetest little filly.....and soo gorgeous. She has a heart right on her forehead and cute little white lips lined with black. She is going to be one good looking girl.

When I first decided to purchase her....she was so standoffish, you could not put your hands on her.....JM worked with her some and I started trying to go over every weekend. 2 weekends ago I went out to the pasture and she was lying down......I was ready for her to jump to her feet, but she just laid there - let me sit beside her and pet her until I was ready to quit. I am so tickled to get her home and really start working with her. Bear has already trimmed her (or at least just played with her feet), but I am ready to really be able to play with her everyday.

Brown Baby is an "in your pocket" filly.....so she has really helped Chick get over her titty babyness, so I am sure she will continue to help.

And OMG - wait til Chance sees her.....he loves the babies.

Here are some pictures I took a couple of months ago.....she now looks like a buffalo with her thick coat....

Look for the pictures on Monday of her homecoming.......

Clearing my Head

2008-01-30T09:09:00.000-08:00

After re-reading my post from yesterday....just wanted to clear things up....
1st of all.....my point is just to be committed....friend was just wishy-washy....one day she wanted to go barefoot.....next week - they looked horrible and she was thinking about putting shoes back on.....From just what I have read you will go from bad to even worse before it gets better. Just wanted to make the point of being committed....and that is with anything.
2nd of all.....I love my friend, and would never in a million years say anything bad about her. So if it seemed like I did....I am truly sorry that I had to use her as an example.

Will be posting later today....I have been so excited about this weekend - I am about to wet my pants.....and all of you who know me...knows that is not so far-fetched....LOL.....I do it frequently when I fall off my horse....and of course I did that frequently......I mean I did win the "Brown Saddle Award" for our riding club.....www.outbacktrailriders.com
But the exciting news will be coming later today......
Hint....hint......she is tri-colored, 8 months old and coming home....
Ok - that was a huge hint.....
Later
J

Wishy washy people !!!!

2008-01-29T14:25:00.000-08:00

OK - Going to talk about this and will probably get bashed......please don't......I am really going to try to explain the best I can....but feel free to correct me....just don't hit me over the head with a tire iron....LOL

As everyone knows Bear is a farrier....well IMO the "best" farrier in the world....well okay he probably is not the best in the world.....just maybe Alabama.....or Central Alabama...Okay .... maybe Clanton.....
Anyway....we have clients now and then who want to try the "barefoot" thing.....well first of all - Bear loves barefoot horses.....he thinks that if they can go barefoot then wonderful. He even talks people out of shoeing horses sometimes that he thinks can go barefoot.....even talks people into pulling back shoes.....to test the waters - so to say.

Well here is my gripe about the entire thing......if you want to try it.....be prepared to make a commitment and stick to it.....it is not an overnight fix.....I actually just read a post from http://ohhorsefeathers.blogspot.com/ (hope you don't mind)......
Here is some of the post:
The next issue, obviously, is shoeing. If you have a barefoot horse, there won’t be shoe application involved. The entire to shoe or not to shoe debate is long, involved, and best saved for another day. That is an entire column unto itself, and will be examined here in the near future. While I personally am NOT going to tell you some of the things the ah, more "rabid" barefooters will- such as Shoes Are The Root Of All Evil- I WILL stand up and say that shoes have their place. (OOOO I see a spanking coming from the barefoot community! Bring it on…) Have I found that place yet? With one horse out of the thousands Dear Husband and I have seen over the years. One. There’s something to ponder for a moment.
When you are thinking about "trying" this "barefoot stuff" for your horse, you need to be aware of a few other things as well. If you have a horse who has been shod and stall kept for the vast majority of its life, switching to a barefoot trim style will require adjustments on YOUR part as well. If for whatever reason you are not willing to make significant lifestyle changes for your horse, and plan on leaving them still in the stall for the hours a day, with little turn out and restricted access to hay, then you need to leave the horse as he is. In this instance a barefoot trim will not help.This brings about a point I feel the need to make here as well. Anyone who tells you that Their Barefoot Trim Style is the end all be all cure all for EVERY situation is probably a nut job you might be better off shying well away from. While their intentions are good, we have seen too many horses lamed for no reason other than poor application of a fairly decent THEORY. Remember- the road to Hell is paved with "Good Intentions."

Point here being.....be ready for a lifestyle change....it might be you have to purchase boots in order to ride....it might be you have to really clean and paint the hooves daily instead of weekly....but just be prepared for a lifestyle change......she talks about stalling and blanketing also in her post....but something in here just hit home for me.
I have a friend / client who is a wonderful person - really really wonderful. And she loves her horses and wants to do what is best for them.....she reads a lot....all kinds of horse magazines constantly....so she is constantly second guessing herself.....should I blanket.....should I pull their shoes.....etc......so anyway she decided about 12 weeks ago that she would pull her horses shoes and try the barefoot thing.....even sent a magazine with Bear for him to read about barefoot trimming.....what she neglected to see was beside the before and after pictures were timelines - ranging from 7 months to 1 year.....now.....I never saw anything wrong with her horses feet to begin with except the fact that we are in a drout and all the horses have had flaky, dry feet and some have cracks, etc.....but I commended her for trying it.....I do believe that they are probably better off without shoes.....however....I also know that with the type of trailriding we do......I either need shoes...or will have to be committed with the boots. I know this.....
Well I am not sure if she just did not trust Bear or what - I guess because he is just a farrier and not a "certified" barefoot trimmer......she met a guy at our tack trade day and talked to him and set up a time for him to come out and do her horses.....now don't get me wrong - I am not frustrated at her for not using us.....however, I am frustrated that #1. I felt she did not trust Bear.....#2. She has not even given them enough time for the nail holes to grow out.......In other words she is not making the committment - which is what I believe ohhorsefeathers is saying.....no matter what the circumstance - be prepared to make a lifestyle change.

Does all of this make sense? or do I sound like a goober?
Just trying to say that when making decisions in life - don't be wishy-washy.....make the decision - stick to your guns - get through the tough stuff with your head up and make it work.
Now with all that said......Bear says he is ordering some barefoot trimming DVD's......I think his feelings are hurt.....I tell him never to take business personally.....but.....he is just like that.....he takes pride in what he does.

OK - my vent is over......thanks ohhorsefeathers for the use of the exerpt from your post and you are in my prayers with your problem over there with the filly.
Happy "Barefoot" Trails
Jamie

Horsey Husbands ??? !!!!!

2008-01-28T13:25:00.000-08:00

I am on a forum where people discuss stuff, sell stuff, encourage each other....basically just a bunch of friends from all over talk everyday......(I know I should be working...LOL). But over the weekend one of the members posted "Horsey Husbands???" It really got me thinking how lucky I am....I mean I am really lucky. I have several friends who's husbands can't stand the horses.....literally wish they were gone.....I have several friends who really don't care one way or the other.....but when you have a man/spouse/significant other, who shares your passion, it is just the best feeling in the world. So I am just sharing my post from the board.....

Bear and I married 10 years ago, after very ugly divorces with us both. Bear was a huge hunter and either hunted or fished every weekend. Now as a girl, I grew up with my dad breaking/training horses, and both my cousins were Racking Horse show-ers....I grew up and quit riding, got married and had kids. With Bear being gone alot hunting, I decided I needed a hobby, so he bought me a horse for Christmas. Now Bear has been riding a good part of his life, he and his wife lived in Opp, Alabama, and her cousin had a cattle farm, so he rode with them working cattle alot. I started going on trail rides with friends, and after a while he would come hang out at the barn I boarded at and just watch everyone, work on fences, etc (Bear is very handy). He also bought a horse and started riding with me instead of fishing. About 5 years ago, Bear lost his job, now he did not get fired, his job just re-located to Colorado Springs, and since we had 2 girls in high school, we could not move. He brooded and brooded about what he was going to do, and one day he said to me "Jamie, I am going to farrier school !" I almost died. I knew he loved the horses, but I just could not imagine. So off he went for 16 weeks - living part time in Georgia. I, at that time, was running a boarding barn, so my time went by quickly. I have never in my life been more proud of someone. He took it so seriously and actually graduated there with high points and some really good referral letters from the instructors.
Well here we are now and I never imagined that I would have a very nice LQ trailer, I would have a house where I could keep my horses and not have to board and we would go on week long trail camping trips. He loves the horses as much as I do. Now I give him grief and he gives it to me about getting more horses, and really has kept me grounded, when I could have gone way overboard.
Bear hunted twice this year, which is just incredible to me, knowing how much he loves to hunt, but he told me not too long ago when we were talking about it. He still loves to hunt, but loves being with me on the trail with our boys....(horses). I have several friends who do not have horsey husbands, and I am just so proud that I do.
Oh man....just being able to put it into words makes me love him even more....tell him if you see him....LOL

Thanks guys for letting me share too.
Hugs J.

Monday after the Snow......

2008-01-21T13:33:00.000-08:00

Oh why - oh why could it have not waited until Monday to snow? It was gorgeous though. Thought we might get to ride the horses in the snow, but it was just tooooo darn cold. OK I know some of you might be in the 30 belows, but in the south we just don't see it. So when it is 30 degrees here....it is darn cold....burrrrrr !!!!

We had a BIG tack sale scheduled for Saturday with our riding club, and thought it might be cancelled, but NO....we had it anyway - I am sure more people would have come, but we did sell 200 hamburgers...soooooo.

I bought a Tucker breastcollar (for my horse - LOL) that matches my saddle. A new purple saddle pad, a new winter blanket for Jag (and he was soooo happy when I got home and put it on him for the 18 degree night Sat night), a handmade saddle stand that Bear is going to stain for me for the living room (yes, I have a saddle stand and saddle in my living room, actually two), some bits for making stuff with horseshoes and Bear got a new Tucker saddle.....it is much nicer than mine....boohoo !!

When we got home there was much more snow than when we left.....it was sooooo pretty and was still there Sunday morning. It actually was still in the bed of my truck this morning. But we are supposed to get back up to 50 today (heat wave....), so I am sure it will all be gone when I get home from work. Although I will be happy since I spend 45 minutes hauling hot water to the horse troughs this morning trying to melt the 2 inch thick ice......

We are going to the Alabama Horse Council Horse Fair this weekend so should be fun.

www.alabamahorsecouncil.org I have several friends competing in the Ultimate Trail Challenge. Wish I had the balls to do it......(I really do not wish I had balls....LOL)

Also bringing Chick home the next weekend, so hope to have more pictures of her.....I can't wait to get her home and start playing with her more. Also bringing home another baby for her to play with - I am not purchasing her, just borrowing....so says Bear.....LOL

Here is a picture of the snow, horses and Sugar (the boxer).....

TTFN - Hugs and Kisses til next time. J

Happy New Year

2008-01-03T13:31:00.000-08:00

Happy 2008 everyone !!!!

Hope you all had a great holiday....

Had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.

Had a client/friend Christmas party at Sunnybrook Farms which is owned and ran by some friends of ours - they had a larger place to hold it....then enjoyed Christmas with family.

Had my entire family over and my little cousin got to ride Jag for a little bit - even in the misty rain. Bear's dad made is a grandfather clock and when I say made - I mean made - by hand - every last bit of it except for the inside workings. Here is a picture: It is absolutely gorgeous.....

It even has a "D" carved in the bottom !!!

We left on December 26th and went to Circle E Guest Ranch in Winchester, Tennesse

http://www.circleeguestranch.com/ and had a great time - we stayed until January 1st. Rode for 5 days. Went to Shelbyville and shopped at Bedford Tack and the Winner's Circle Tack Shop. I got a new pair of chaps and I am soooooooo in love with.

Here is a picture of Jag and me on the trail (day before I bought my chaps)

Cutie - patootie !!!! (the horse !!)

Had great great fun with great great friends......

Now I am home - back to work.....back to work....back to work.....blahhhhhhhh !!

Bear has gone hunting until Sunday and I am stuck to work on the books for the farrier business - no fun for me.....boo-hoo !!!! I am sooooo deprived.....(hint...just got back from a 6 day riding trip - really deprived - huh?)

Until next time.....happy trails.....

Love and Kisses

Sad weekend !!!

2007-12-04T13:05:00.001-08:00

Well last Thursday I spent the night with my mom in the hospital - she had a minor surgery, but had to spend the night....it was not bad - got plenty of sleep. But on my way to work, I got a call that Bear's grandfather passed away. Oh my - I had to call Bear and tell him....that was so hard to do. Bear was pretty close to his grandfather and it just broke my heart. Bear was actually closer to his grandmother who passed away in 1987, but I believe got closer to Papa George after that. He was crazy about his grandparents - both of them. He spent his summers there in Childersburg, hunting birds, fishing and just being a spoiled grandson.
George Limbaugh was a very important person.....he was the Executive Director for the Chamber of Commerce in Childersburg, was very high up on the Historical Society, was instrumental on the preservation of the Kymulga Grist Mill and Covered Bridge restoration. So needless to say there were lots and lots of people at the funeral. They had it in Childersburg at the 1st Methodist Church of Childersburg on Sunday at 1:00. 4 of the grandchildren spoke about Papa George and then his son-in-law Dale Lloyd (his daughter's husband - Bear's Aunt Lynn) gave a great speech about Papa loving his church, country, city and family. It was heart wrenching, but very very good. We laughed and cried. He was put to rest beside Bear's grandmother Allean. Bear is not a person that shows his emotions. Both the girls were just heartbroken to see him shed a tear. He was able to put a single rose on his grandmother's grave after the funeral services. He has been so quiet for about 4 days now. I know he misses them both terribly. This happens as we get older, we start loosing family. My grandfather Joe Narro, died about 5 years ago, he was like my father and I do not go a day without thinking of him. I know that Bear will be the same way. Lots of our friends called to say how sorry they were. That meant a lot to Bear. Our riding club sent a plant, and that was very very sweet and also meant a lot to Bear.
Papa George -you will be missed terribly......you did great things for your church, city, country, and most of all family and they will all miss you.....even me.

Where the heck??????

2007-11-29T12:43:00.001-08:00

Ok - where the heck have I been.....busy as crap !!! Crap is pretty busy...LOL
Now to recap: Went to Tennessee to ride horses in October.....great, great trip...only had one meltdown. Every once in while, I just seem to get very nervous riding. I cry, act like a baby, just pretty much have a come-apart. I rode fine on Friday - no problems....we rode at the Smokey Mountain Institute - which is pretty hard riding, but I was fine. Jag started acting like a butt on the way back down the mountain so Bear traded horses with me and I rode Chance. We swapped back after about 30 minutes and he had gotten him back in line with his spurs. I ride in spurs also, but I don't use them like Bear does. But all was well....I enjoyed the ride, the beer, the company of my friends, Janet, Jim, Teri, Butch, Herb, Krystal and of course "my" Bear. We went back to the gorgeous cabin, drank bloody mary's and had a great night in the hottub. Got up Sat morning and I felt it coming on. I cried before we even got down to the barn. I just felt sick in my stomach thinking I had to get on my horse. I think this happens just because I have had so many accidents. Even though none of them were really bad.....they still happened. Anywhoo.....we got tacked up and I started drinking beer thinking it might make my aprehensions go away. We started up the blacktop (45 minutes) towards the trail to ride into Cades Cove. I cried and cried.....Bear was more understanding than normal and really really helped me get through it. I probably was cooky for about 2 hours, but got better and was really fine by lunchtime, and really enjoyed the ride. We got back and enjoyed the hottub more - went to bed, got up the next morning, packed and went home. Boy the horses were sure glad to be home.......they just rolled and rolled......thinking they were saying "Glad those big booties are off my back".....LOL

I was sure thinking we would be home for a while, but no Bear decided we would go to Stinkin Jims in Mississippi the next weekend. So we loaded up on Friday morning and headed out. Great ride, great trails.....Janet, Jim, Butch and Teri and Bear and I went with the club. Had about 30 riders. We cooked chili one night and had a shrimp boil the next. Really really good time.

For Thanksgiving we planned to go back to KC Ranch in Double Springs, Alabama. If you have never been - go there.....it is our most favorite place to go. Ken and Carol are great and have a fantastic place there. We went down on Thursday morning, did not ride on Thurs - just set up camp and enjoyed the campfire. We got up on Fri and rode pretty much all day. Man oh man it was cold.....Had chili on Friday night that I cooked with deer and elk meat and it was good. Got up Sat and rode again.....a little bit warmer, but the rain was coming. We rode for about 3-4 hours and the rain came. Thank goodness I brought my new rain coat that Teri and Butch gave me.....it is a cool little backpack that converts into a rain coat. We got back to camp and ate in the dining hall and prepared for the Ala/Aub game. Our big rival game. Of course - 5 years in a row now the Auburn Tigers beat Alabama ..... WAR EAGLE !!!!!!
Got up Sunday morning - packed up and came home.....

Well, well, well - I caught you all up pretty fast......greatest part of all of this is not one accident for me.....I did not come off one time.....and Jag had a couple of little fits....he gets so excited when he cannot see his precious Chance.....buddy sour horse !!!! I am getting better and better with my confidence.....Janet helps me so much - teaching me how to sit better in my seat....it is hard because when you are nervous you tend to lean forward and in order to get your horse to gait better and be more comfortable you need to sit back.

Will try to be a better blogger and not wait so long to post - holidays are coming up and I do not have my tree up, have not bought one gift.....eeeeeekkkkkkk!!!!!!

Planning a riding trip to Circle E in Belvidere, TN from Dec 26th to Jan 1st......Very excited as we have never been there and everyone says it is so much fun......will keep you all posted on what goes on before then......especially my CRAZY family at Christmas.......

love ya - mean it !!
J

2007-10-22T13:35:00.000-07:00

So, I had a wonderful weekend - riding.....not falling..LOL

Here is Jag getting ready to ride on Saturday....he is a little dirty, but I did not mind.

We rode at a little place called Creek Valley - it is here in Clanton where I live. We are getting the horses in shape to go to Tennessee to ride in the Smokey Mountains this weekend.

Here are three of my friends that I rode with - Left to right......Katrina, Teri and Janet. They are all three hoots and so much fun to ride with.

Will post lots more next week after I get back from the trip.....Say a little prayer that I don't need my seatbelt.....

2007-10-17T14:04:00.001-07:00

Ok - so might get a little carried away today.....I mean it is my first day for crying out loud.
I went back and read what I had written and forgot to mention that I did just get a new horse....a filly.....a spotted saddle horse filly.....her name is Chick......that is "Pusher's Hot Chick"...I guess I forgot to mention her because I don't have her home yet. We are going on a 4 day trail ride in Tennessee at the end of Oct and I will bring her home afterwards.

Going to try to post pictures of Chance, Jag and Chick now.....

This is Jag.....he is a 8 year old Spotted Saddle Horse which means he is gaited.....which is a very smooth ride and that is good after you hit 40.

This is Chance, he is a 10 year old TWH horse. He is awesome and we love him very much....

Ok cannot get the pix for Chick to post so I will try again tomorrow.

Maybe I will start on my falling escapades......or tell you about my CRAZY friends...

love for now.

Jamie

Why the name?

2007-10-17T13:01:00.000-07:00

Ok - this is my first blog.....but I really love reading everyone else's so I thought - what the heck? I can do this....God knows I have lots to tell and everyone who knows me knows that I never quit talking.....LOL...
Anyway I guess I should start by telling about myself and why the name for the blog. I am a horse lover.....by that I mean LOVER.....I love everything about them, their smell (right !!!), their coats, their eyes, their ears, their tails, their feet, but most importantly - The Ride.....
I consider myself and my hubby "The Bear" avid trail riders, by that I do not mean the best....I just mean we do it all the time - trail ride that is....LOL
Well I do have trouble staying in the saddle.....it has almost gotten comical.....Bear says he is making me a seatbelt....he says that all the time....whatever !! Anyway I thought the name for my blog was appropriate since I have come out of the saddle about 5 times in the last year. I even have pictures to prove it.....
I am a mother of two girls. They are 22 and 21 right now and they youngest "H" has just gotten married. Now that was something - be glad I started blogging after the wedding. I was a basket-case - not because of her getting married - I love "R" (who she married), but just all of the stress of getting everything organized.
Anywho.....I am on my second marriage....not don't think bad of me....I was married 11 years the first time and am going on 10 this time.....so it was just one of those things. I will be married to Bear forever.....I luff him !!!!
Bear is a farrier - he shoes horses.....how convienent.....for me anyway you think....oh no - just like being married to a plumber - who sink is always clogged.....I have to beg to get the boys shod. We always do last minute shoeing before we go on a trail ride.
My horses names are Chance and Jag. Chance being Bear's horse - TWH chestnut with flaxen mane and tail. Mine being Jag - a Spotted Saddle horse who is dapple grey and white. I named him Jag because he is my first gaited horse and it was like riding in a Jaguar....LOL
I will post pictures of them both when I figure out how....
Stay tuned as I will be recapturing some of my falls.....still explaining the title.....and also tell you about some of my crazy friends.....believe me you will want to be here for that.....
Love and kisses - until next time.....
Jamie