Station Fire heading toward Acton.........

Hello friends, I should be in bed right now. We had a little party and roping for Paul's birthday Saturday. We all had a blast and of course the house was a wreck after the party and I was cleaning up and Jeremy was on the computer. Then the phone rings..........it is never good when the phone rings late at night. It was my Mom, Sallie. The fire was heading over the mountain towards Acton. She said I might want to hook up the trailer and get down there. It was almost 11pm by the time I was heading out and when I got about halfway to the pavement looking south all you could see was a red glow over the mountains. It was at least an hours drive but I got there pretty quick. Vickie her other daughter was already there and they had packed up a bunch of the valuables and had gotten them some bags packed. Sid, who is just shy of his 90th birthday, thankfully agreed to leave without too much fuss with his nephew. Sallie said she is sure it was cause I had showed up and he felt like the horses would be taken care of. That made me feel good. So it was 1am by then and we all just sat watching the news trying to decide at what point do we load up. So the three of us had just laid our heads down and had maybe gotten about 30 minutes of sleep when we hear sirens and the sheriff over the PA system saying we were now under mandatory evacuation orders and we needed to get out now! So we all jumped into action loading up Vickie's car with all the valuables and papers. Then we headed out to load up the horses. We had four huge QH broodmares and a stud to deal with. None of the mares had been in the trailer since who knows when and it was dark. We all worked as a team really well and loaded everybody without an incident and headed out of there. It was the eeriest thing ever. There were sheriffs and fire dept. everywhere. Horse trailers were lined up in every driveway. Cars all loaded up and people getting out. And by this time it was about 430am. We fueled up both rigs and headed to the ol rancho. Everybody got here safe and sound except on mare in the back of my trailer had gotten the crap kicked out of her by the mare in front of her. I had tied the kicker up as close as I could and tied the victim of the kicking all the way in the back of the trailer. She should have had enough room to get away but apparently not. It is not a huge deal but she is a bit swollen and sore. Poor girl, she will have to ride back, whenever they go back, in another trailer or a different trip. As far as the house, we got word tonight that the main house is fine as well as the couple of cows and sheep that we left behind. The small house in the back that Armondo and his family live in is gone. They are the caretakers for their ranch. Their neighbors just behind them and their very good friends Sam and Kathy lost their house. I have not heard back from Sallie at this point, she was heading over to the hotel where they are staying (Sam and Kathy) to tell them in person about their house as they did not know yet. Armondo did not handle it well as to be expected. I am hoping that at least this means they are decently in the clear since it sounds like it has already swept through their area. Their sheep had the property cleared of the brush so that is a plus and the couple of cows that stayed behind were in a huge open pen that we were pretty sure they would be safe in. Besides that, I told them I just did not feel cowgirl enough to load that damn blind cow and her calf in the dark without a good saddle horse! I hope everyone in safe and their animals are safe. God Bless the firefighters busting their butts trying to get this monster out.

Moving on.

I am sorry to all my friends that have had trouble getting on this blog today. I have had some trouble with it that I needed to sort through. I have said some things that have hurt some people on this blog. I have never meant that and I apologize to them for thinking I did. That is not what this blog is about to me. I have enjoyed sharing my life and looking into other people's lives that share the love of ranching and some that have nothing to do with ranching. The modern day penpals I guess you could say. It sure is easy to forget while typing away on a keyboard that lots of people can read what you are writing and take it anyway they choose. I would have never in a million years thought someone was reading this blog day after day looking between the lines for something that might possibly be taken out of context. But it has come to my attention that is the case. It has taken something I was proud of and turned it dirty. I allowed myself to sink to a low level yesterday when I posted a small paragraph directed at someone who knew it was for them. I will not let venomous people bully me or control my behavior anymore. I know I should be the better person. I plan to continue posting here and know that I am coming from a good place in my heart and that I am not intending to be hurtful. So I will leave this post with one of my other favorite sayings,

"If you walk into a corral full of horses thinking your going to get kicked, you probably will."

A change is in the air

Hello friends. I have made the decision to change some options on my blog for awhile. I sure hope you still drop by and see what's going on around the ranch. I will probably do this in a few days. The great thing is all you have to do is request access once and you are all set. You won't have to do it everyday. Take care everyone and I plan to get a wonderful nights sleep tonight, I hope you all do to!

Patience please?

So something is going wrong with my computer or connection or something so that I cannot download pictures so instead you get a story..........hope you all don't mind!

Do you ever have those days when you just have that feeling you shouldn't leave the house? I had that feeling today.............and I didn't listen.

I had told a friend I would neuter a couple of cats for her and my dad had a bunch of bottles he wanted to me to take and recycle. Thanks for keeping us in groceries in this tough time dad! Anyway, I headed to Tehachapi to run a few other quick errands. I told Jeremy I would take the kids with me even though we are both going stark raving crazy lately. He really needed a break, he has been trying to "build up stamina" the last couple of days and his arm was hurting him pretty good today. Needless to say he had no patience. I told him not to worry I would pull more patience and understanding out of my butt and we would have fun. Besides they are just being kids. I always try and remind myself that at least they are healthy do not have some terminal illness when I feel like going crazy! Well, Steele fell asleep as soon as we headed out. Going to Tehachapi we must travel 12 miles to the pavement. Sage and I were having a fun time talking and singing with the radio. We got to the pavement and we heard a "POP!". I asked Sage "what was that?!" thinking that maybe something in the back of the truck has hit the cab maybe??? A couple of second later it was apparent that it was something and we had a flat tire. Of course we were in a place where the signal is wandering and I was having trouble getting ahold of anyone so I thought what the heck, I can change a damn tire! I wasn't exactly dressed for it but that didn't matter sitting on the side of the road. I told Sage to stay in her seat and I was going to get to changing it. I got the jack out and started getting it up and then thought that I should probably loosen the nuts before the tire rolled around. It was then I discovered the thingy was too small and wouldn't be any help in loosening the bolts. Argh!

No big deal, I think. I will call someone to bring a star wrench. Of course the phone decided not to work again. After sitting a minute hoping someone would stop with a damn star wrench I figured I had better wake Steele up and walk to the call box or I would sit there all day. I get half way there when the sheriff shows up. He didn't have a star wrench but my phone started working and I got ahold of my dad. So he dutifully comes a running with the star wrench.

The. damn. thing. did. not. fit!!! So he runs back home to get some more tools. The kids and I walk back to the truck and sit inside with the air on singing songs and having bubble wars with our gum waiting for grandpa. He got back with what we needed and we went to taking the flat off. I would get the wrench arranged and he would step on it. Darned if the dang thing didn't fling off once and hit me right on my big toe!!! I think I might get my first purple toe! And my pedicure is ruined! And I cried! Well, we got the dumb thing changed and I got to the tire store just before they closed. It was ruined and could not be patched. Never fails..........we do not have money for new tires that we desperately need right now. Thank you Lord for our health.

They are able to find a used tire and slap that on. We run to the auto parts store where I have to practically verbally assault the man behind the counter to get him to help me. What is it with customer service these days?! We got a one inch socket and the other thingies to make sure we have it next time and a air freshener cause Jeremy's truck smells like ass. We head over to make a marothon run through the grocery store cause we are late to the nut cutting party. Oh yeah somewhere in there I got the kids an ice cream cause they were pretty darn close to angels though it all. And Steele took a poop on the side of the road while we changed the tire.............to much information?

Back to my story. Then we headed to my friend's to neuter the cats and one of them only has one nut! Man! I call the guys and tell them they had better cook for themselves tonight cause I was the kiss of death and whatever I might be able to cook probably would give them buttrot with my luck today...........I neuter the other cat and head home glad for the adventure to be over. I had a minor disagreement with Steele and called him a name I am still beating myself up over it but for the most part I thankfully did find just a little more patience somewhere in my behind today. Amen......

Aaaargh!

I have fresh new pictures, stories and such and they will not load!!!! I will continue trying but I have lost my inspiration.................

"Today we visited the doctor, the original surgery date was 7-9-09 and the doctor still did not want to release him for physical therapy since he is aware Jeremy is very active and he was happy with how it was healing. He was afraid the PT would stretch it too much at this point. I mentioned how Jeremy was already moving it alot and compensating some of his movements due to the tightness and pain and I was worried about him not learning to use it normal again. So he did end up writing the perscription for the pt but I don't think we will be in a huge hurry to get him there just yet. I know I am hoping to buy some more healing time out of him! So, basically reading between the lines of what the doctor did say (which wasn't much) he can start working, but just be careful...............
Needless to say Jeremy is ready to ride tomorrow! I am insistant on him only riding Chico the wonder horse for now. Ease me in slow! Please!
Anyhow, we talked about it on the way home and he has decided he is ready to open his training book again to limited horses in October. Please call or email if you wish to send a horse out to get on the list for October.
We are excited to ease back into the game again!"

I lost my pants!

We are just getting home and settling down from a full weekend of lessons at two different locations. We had a great time in Agoura Hills on Saturday and today we were at Moonraker Ranch closer to home.

My dad planned to meet us there and take the kids to the park and then to lunch so I could be available to help Jeremy so that he was not over working his arm. Mostly he doesn't need to take ahold of someone's horse but sometimes the need arises.

Our first lesson was with a friend MaryJo, her husband Norm brought his mule along. Somewhere along the line visiting he says he was hoping to talk me into riding her for a bit to help give her some more experience but I showed up looking like a city girl! I was wearing a skirt and sandals.......yeah I know I can't be very helpful dressed like that but it was a late night on Saturday and I was tired getting ready this morning. Katie, the owner of the ranch says "well I have plenty of pants and probably some extra boots." After figuring out we wear the same size shoe and hoping for the best on the pants I was redressed and ready to go. So Lucy the mule was already saddled and ready to go waiting patiently tied to the trailer so I put my skirt that I had been wearing in the back of their truck thinking surely I would remember to get it when I took Lucy back to the trailer......

So after MaryJo's lesson the three of us headed out for a quick ride. We all had a good time and another friend Linda agreed to keep an eye on Jeremy. We round the corner and damn it if Jeremy doesn't have ahold of the horse. Apparently they were pretty much done with the lesson and the horse had an issue with the trailer. He was one of the most beautiful Arabians I have seen. Big, tall, big boned, big feet, steele grey. He was plain handsome.

I didn't want Jeremy to be using that darn arm so Norm came and took Lucy for me and I made myself available to help with the grey horse (I wish I knew his name). Don't tell anyone but I love working horses with Jeremy. It just feels like we really connect and can just flow together without even having to talk. I love it.

Anyway, back to my story! We finish with the grey horse and get him loaded. He had an issue with getting his hind end in the trailer, what truly bothered him was backing out. So therefore he was afraid to get in too because of course he would have to back out once he was in. Of course he would throw a big fit, rearing up and all, making it look real scary to his owner. And she needed to be more assertive with him. More of a leader I guess some would say. So handsome boy was loaded and then I had grandpa to relieve, Jeremy's water bottle to fill, oh, and I guess getting him some lunch since I forgot to schedule him a lunch break would probably be nice too..........

The kids were raising heck and wanting to go swimming and I wanted them in the pool! We didn't have time to bathe them from the day before and boy were they filthy! Away we go to the pool and MaryJo and Norm packed up and headed home somewhere in the midst of all this.

It wasn't until later when I returned Katie's pants and went to get dressed again out of the pool that I realized my skirt was heading to Green Valley!!!

Thankfully I did have my bathing suit but even in my skinny days I didn't like to run around in the thing! So I draped one of the kids' towels around me and ran around like that the rest of the day. Of course feeling the need to explain to everyone why I wasn't dressed more appropriately. I am surprised Jeremy didn't tell me on the way home how it just doesn't sound good when you start off with "I lost my pants"! He probably knew it wouldn't go over well.