Sage and Chico

This little fluff ball is a baja horse (http://www.bajahorse.com/) we are trying out for the kids. Our friend Kim brought him for someone else to ride at our practice roping a couple of weeks ago and Jeremy was so impressed with him we decided to try him out for the kids. Sage has so much darn confidence and we don't want her to loose it so we need something pretty darn solid. Of course around here it is like the shoe maker. All our horses don't get rode enough since Jeremy is so busy riding everyone else's horses. So we needed something pretty used up. Chico here seems to be fitting the bill pretty good. Sage had a good time on him so hopefully she can run amuck on him and then later Steele can and she can graduate to something with a bigger engine. She decided she needed some of daddy's coffee in this picture and managed to get him sideways up next to where it was sitting on the fence. She always insists on wearing her spurs so my compromise is she has to wear her brain bucket.

Oh, on another note. Some of you might be able to appriciate this story. We were driving home from Grandma and Grandpa's house a couple of nights ago and we were going kind of slow on the dirt road. We had a colt in the trailer we were bringing home for Jeremy to show to some prospective buyers. They had been really good kids all day so I had stopped at the mini market and got them an ice cream on the way home. She was sitting in the middle seat up front with me. I guess she was getting bored and so she got the bright idea to let me smell her fingers and showed them up my nostrils and said "smell this mommy!" Of course in my surprise I inhale and couldn't quite make out the smell but knew it couldn't be good. I say to her "ewwwww Sage! WHAT IS THAT?!?!" Giggling she says to my horror "it is my butt and ice cream!" Apparentley she had gotten an itch sometime after she had eaten her ice cream. I think she was pretty proud of herself the little turd! And today while we had some time to kill before I took them to the Dr. for this cold we cannot get rid of I say to Steele "there will be NO POOPING behind the slide, Okay?" I sure wish you could have seen his cute, funny face when he assured me he would not................. Goodnight!

Some of our Favorite People

Our family has ALOT of favorite people in our lives. Jim and Linda Elder are some of them. Jeremy and I have come to look very forward to Wednesays when Linda comes and rides with Jeremy and Jim comes along to help me unload firewood and stack it on the porch. And laugh at whatever silly thing the kids are doing. They love us and enjoy being around us and we feel the same for them. When I went to look for some neat pictures to post today since I didn't actually take any today I found these from a couple of Wednesdays ago and I can't believe I didn't post them before. Doesn't that silly little Arab look so great and relaxed. Linda has worked very hard at improving her riding and relationship with her horse, Shabba.

Oh, and I forgot to mention how the snake had gotten stuck in the toliet hole the other day. The darn thing had made it's way through the raunchy old pipe and into the septic tank and had tied itself in a knot. Poor Jeremy had to stick his hand in there and untie it to get it out. There was no other way, all while having the flu.............I kept reminding him not to chew his nails. Barf......

Linda and Shabba

Jeremy and Lakota

Posing for me before leaving for a ride over the hill.

So I have big plans for tomorrow. We have a prospective buyer for a horse coming from Paso Robles area and I just hate bringing people up that darn dirt road and it is in bad shape right now. So I plan to wrestle the kids in the truck and drag the road in the morning. Then I have to get going on some painting around here. I need to finish painting the ceiling in the kitchen. I need to repaint the trim in the living room. I let Jeremy pick the trim color and usually he is better at those kinds of decisions but this time it looks like I rubbed one of Steele's poopy diapers on the wall so it must go. I need to primer the bathroom so we can put new flooring in. And I want to clean the kids room so I can put Steele's new bedding on his bed. I really need to put the clothes away too. The new joke around here is going to be "you know your a redneck when you use laundry baskets instead of a dresser."

The dreaded bathroom

So here is the dreaded bathroom. As you can see it needs some serious help. I have been holding steadfast that I would not work on the bathroom until the kitchen is done. Well...............since the septic pipe troubles I have decided to gut the bathroom NOW. This is what it looked like before I started. Like the linoleum (sp?). I am ready to barf seafoam green. I think the people that were here before must have gotten a really good deal on a bunch of it. It is everywhere. It was in the kitchen before I painted it yellow. I was in the living room before I painted it buckskin. Now this bathroom. I never really noticed it too much until now. I ripped out the linoleum today and soaked and mopped the floor. I plan to tear out that ugly, water damaged sink cabinet probably Thursday. On Friday I am supposed to pick up an antique vanity I bought for my bedroom. I need to get my hair stuff and makeup out of the kitchen once and for all. So I plan to go by another antique store in town and buy a sink on it's own stand. I think it will look much better and make the room look bigger. I think at some point I may need to repaint the bathtub but first off I will wash and paint the walls. Then I think we will put down a wood floor of some sort. Just in case any of you have a better idea about the floor I am completely open to it. Or any other suggestions for that matter.

Snow again!

This is the view from the pavement on my way to town. Just for geographic purposes, our ranch is tucked back in the foothills just under that big black cloud. That would explain why is was still snowing at home and the sun was shining just 7 miles away at the pavement.

When we went to bed we never would have guessed we would wake up to snow. It was raining when we went to bed. At any rate, I had places to go, things to do so off me and the kids went to see why the engine light was on in my car. Lucky Jeremy got to stay home and work horses in this yuck. I am not sure the poor horses will ever have all the mud off them. Speaking of mud crusted horses, I really need to take pictures of the new guy in town, Chico. We are trying him out for the kids. You would think of all the horses we have here we would have a horse the kids could ride, and we do, they just have way too big of engines for a kid. Anyhow, pics of him coming soon.

Grandpa's helper

My Steelie has gotten to be such a big boy. He want to do everything by himself or he wants to help you. Most of the time it is really cute. Like yesterday when we spent part of the day waiting for the vet to come at Grandma and Grandpa's house. There is usually always a couple of bummer lambs around there. I don't know what the deal is, maybe the Barbadoes are just bad mothers. Or maybe they sit around, basking in the sun telling all the new mommies to be that if they just kick it aside the humans will take care of the little rascal. Either way it is always fun for the kids to help feed them.

Steele and Lexi

Here is the promised picture of Steele at Sage's party. He was killing me with that silly binky. As you can see him and Lexi were less than impressed.

Dirtbikers an the Kern County Sheriff!!!!

My sweet husband always wants to find some good in people and wants to crawl under the car while I am chewing these people out. Well, when he saw this picture of the 60+ year old man that came from Ventura to ride on private land's license plate on his bike he just sighed. What can you say about this?? He admited he saw the fences and the no trespassin signs.............so of course I say "do I come into your yard and ride around?"
As we were on our way to the gate to put the gentlemen from Ventura out we run into these dirtbags. They rode RIGHT by a sign that we had put in the hole in the fence they have cut sometime before. When told they were on private property they say "oh, I didn't know" WHAT???? WHATEVER!!!
I have the last laugh though, I have a close up of their license plates and I dropped off a CD with a copy of the pictures to the sheriff tonight. They have decided on a no tolerance policy and I could not be happier.

Here is some of the fine upstanding law abiding citizens getting educated on the term

PRIVATE PROPERY!

Again I say ROCK ON KERN COUNTY SHERIFF!!!

Sage's 6th Birthday Party

I am sure this is highly obvious by now but she had a Tinkerbell party. She had the best time. We palyed a few games and they watched Tinkerbell the movie. I will have to post a picture of Steele during the movie.......it was hilarious. Looked just like a man, splayed in the chair waiting patiently.
Here is just some of the fun stuff she got for her birthday. She very sweetly wanted to know who each gift was from so she could say "thank you" each person for the individual gift. I was very proud of her.

The girls playing with the games in their goodie bags. As you can see even Linda got into it!

Little Jacob

This is Jacob, his mom, Mary is our favorite gal who watches Sage and Steele for me sometimes. He is two weeks old and I am finally getting over to see him. Sage could not wait to get her hands on him. I don't know what I will do with that girlie. She is six years old today. Her party is tomorrow. I told her yesterday that in ten years she will be driving a car! She responded like it was no big deal and said "yeah, I know".

This is the whole group of rascals. From left to right, Amelia, Steele, Sage and Jacob. Amelia is such a ham! And sweet little Jacob wasn't really screaming it just looks like he is. Never the less my girl is not afraid! If that would have been me (before I had my own) I would have been running to hand him back the minute he even thought of crying.

Misc. goodies

Here are some of our cattle near the upper pond. I heard we had a new calf so I had gone to check it out. That is him hiding behind his momma in the middle of the picture.

These are my two sweeties digging in the dirt at the park. This was just before Steele hiked his pants down and pooped behind the slide. I tell ya, country kids.............what can I say?!
And this my friends is the view from the outhouse. It has come to be my favorite moment of the day. I have a beautiful view, it is just after light in the morning and the morning sounds are so serene. I get to visit with all the dogs since I kick the door wide open. I think everyone should have one! I do need to figure out how to warm the seat though......

The Hike.....

I guess I am a few days behind but we have been so darn busy around here! The other day the kids and I ran away and went on a hike while Jeremy was giving a lesson. I don't think we have had an entire day off in a few weeks. Now Jeremy will have to miss Sage's birthday party to stay home and help dig up our septic system...........we have been using the outhouse for days. Just a side note, DO NOT wait to long to leave the house and trek to the outhouse AND make sure you know where your shoes are! I spilled my coffee everywhere running to the crapper!
The cutes hikers ever! Steele hiked the whole way by himself! And we went far, up the hill behind the house and to the top end of the property and back. He promptly came home and snuggled up on the couch and fell asleep. It was very cute.

It was never yours buttholes!!!

ROCK ON KERN COUNTY SHERIFF!!!

This is what was happening down at the pavement. It just so happens we are near a very popular BUT illegal dirtbiking area. We are also very close to the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) where these OHV people have torn it to shreds. They are all under the impression that it is okay to ride out here and that us residents are "taking" it from them. But the truth is it never was okay, ever. And it was never theirs! Even the BLM land is not designated riding areas which means it is also illegal to ride there. Sorry guys, we are sick of you ripping up our pasture and chasing our cattle. Yes, chasing the cattle. Jeremy caught them on more than one occasion running down the calves in an effort to piss off the momma cows and then dodge them. And we are extra sick of them just riding right in our property like they have the right. Do I do that in their neighborhood??? Jeez!

Roping Practice Day

We had a roping practice day today. It was perfect weather, the perfect crowd. We had a great fun day.

How many ropes can you put on a steer?! That is Ojos on the left that Jeremy is on.

Could they get any cuter?!

My girl is going to be the best mommy someday and I can honestly say I have no idea where she gets it. We heard the little footsteps from downstairs so we knew there was some sort of shenanagins going on but then it quieted down. Apparently Steele wanted to sleep with sissy so she let him in her bed. I always go in and make sure they are covered up and give kisses before I go to bed and found this. Nothing like sleeping babies...........

Misc. pictures

I think my girl likes living on the ranch, even when she asks if we can move to town because we don't have sidewalks for her to skate or ride her bike. Poor girl, right after I took this picture I said to her "come out in the sun so I can get your picture better". She tried to and tripped over a bush and dropped the goat and about fell over herself to not step on it while she regained her balance. She's a sweet one.

Jeremy and Ojos, he sure is getting "big boned"! Notice the braids in his mane? I did not do that!

Here is the sweet little trio. The two girls are on the outside and the boy in the middle.
We are having alot of fun playing with them.

My Superheros!

Goat Babies Finally!

Here is my surprise finally got this morning. Three kids so far. I am heading back out to check her soon. I am trying not interfere. But they are so darn cute!

Rascals

Why do they have to be so darn secure to venture so far from me?! This is what the rascals did while we loaded the arena panels. I think I held my breathe the whole time. They hiked clear to the top of the ridge on the cow trail. I kept yelling don't go where you can't see me! They had a blast and at least we don't have to worry about rattlesnakes this time of year. They finally came down off the hill and wandered down into the willows near the creek. I can't wait til they get old enough I can kick them out of the house with a lunch and tell them not to come home til dinner. I will see them racing around on their horses. I would have given my right arm to grow up on a place like this. We just had a small town to terrorize when I was growing up. My childhood friend and I used to pull up the stakes when they were getting ready to build a housing tract thinking that would prevent them from being able to take over our riding area. Sure wish it would have worked!

Kate the Wonder Pup

This is our girl Kate. Sorry about the glare on the pictures. The sun would not cooperate. This little darling thought she needed to come down this morning while we were loading the panels that used to make up our arena. We generally don't like them to come down into our canyon near the house since they will always make a nusance of themselves in the hay barn or my flower bed. They also are not above grazing on the lawn and standing in my pond the punks! So Kate went right to work moving her back over the hill. She has just turned one year old and we couldn't ask for a better dog. We just got word that a litter of full siblings were born. Sure is tempting to fly to Texas again! I don't know if they have posted pictures yet but here is their site. http://www.hookshorseranch.com/

On up Kate........

Jeremy has her trained to whistles so he can work her without talking and from far distances. He likes to work that way, without talking. I am surprised he likes me!

That'll Do Kate! Good Dog!

Tinkerbell

My girl has a birthday coming up. I just can't believe she will be turning six years old........she makes me so proud. Anyhow, she is very excited about this party and wants a Tinkerbell theme. So I was thinking I would make the cake until she found this picture...........I may need to hire this one out. Ahhhhh, wish me luck!

The gate.

This is my Steeley, he is the cutest baby boy I have ever seen!

The last few days I have been pretty busy running here and there. I am not sure doing what but I can assure you I have been busy! We had a couple of different clients due to come the other morning and some genius had cut off our lock and put another lock on it so we were locked in and the clients were locked out. It was quite the fiasco that took up alot of time to fix (cut the lock off) and get people in. Thank goodness we didn't have an emergency. We finally found out today that it was SCE. They has come up to get their truck out that they had gotten stuck up on the mountain. They have their own lock on the gate but their key didn't work. Don't ask me why they did not cut their own lock!!! I can't wait to get ahold of the supervisor when he calls me back! Not to mention it was a $50 lock.

Critters

This is a new calf we found this afternoon while we were out checking to see how many of our new signs were still up.

This guy is the daddy of all the baby goats I am expecting anyday now. Isn't he handsome? Stinky but handsome.
This girl is one of my favorite nannies. I have had her since she was tiny. I bought her mother with her and her brother in tow. Sage used to play with them so she is pretty gentle. She is a very good producer and actually had four kids last year. She nursed all of them herself too. I suspect she has a good handful this year as well. I can't wait. That is the only reason I feed these buggers all year. When the babies are born they are so fun.

There is a skunk in my house!

Yesterday I said there wasn't anything worth getting off the couch and I lied. The kids are feeling good enough to play dress up. I figured it keeps them away from the guns so what the heck. Just kidding I swear! So this made me run for my camera before she could take it off. She is little bo peep crossed with a skunk.

Another Family picture

I haven't taken any pictures in the last few days since I have been nursing this darn head cold. Nothing seems interesting enough to get off the couch. So I have decided to put another family picture up that I like before the holiday spirit wears off. It doesn't take long here in California for that to happen.

The toothfairy was here.

Sage lost her first tooth yesterday. I still can't believe I have a daughter that is almost six years old. Not to mention she is the sweetest thing I have ever known. She is always so proud of herself when she is growing bigger. It was so sweet to see her face, the combo of tears and laughing. I tried to get the moment but I had left my camera in the car so by the time I ran out there and got it she as drying her face on her sleeves. I just love that girl.

*After I posted the picture I thought I guess I could explain the haircut. I just couldn't afford beauty college so I practice on my daughter..............okay fine here is the real story. Back in July we had gotten home from Reno, NV where Jeremy had given a couple of demos and had shown Ojos, the Mustang makeover horse. We had a booth at the expo so in addition to having all our stuff, the horse's stuff, hay and such, we also had packed all our stuff for our booth. So I was pretty proud of myself having unloaded AND unpacked AND put away all our stuff out of the truck and trailer. I had gotten Steele to sleep and I was enjoying my couple of peaceful moments watching Dr. Phil. Sage was playing in her bedroom upstairs, I knew it was too quiet but darn it I just wanted a few minutes to let my mind and body rest...............next thing I know Sage is standing in front of me giggling that nervous giggle. I wanted to cry and found myself laughing cause she looked so silly. I did however cry later. For two days. She had cut a ton of her hair off. Her cute little bangs which were cause for her to laugh and cry with happiness just months earlier was gone completely. Has anyone ever seen the movie Joe Dirt? That is who she looked like. I was devastated. It took me days to convince myself it was just hair. To me it was the realization of the many bad decisions she will undoubtably make in her lifetime. Thankfully it is just hair and it is slowly but surely growing back. Oh and the wings she is wearing in the picture.........she is pretty excited about the Tinkerbell birthday party she will be celebrating soon so she instists on wearing the wings over her clothes since I won't let her wear the outfit in this cold weather. Cute huh?!

A Tribute to Karma

Karma is running in greener pastures now. Our sympathy goes out to her family.

The Wild West!

Happy New Year!!!

I sure wish I had photoshop on my new laptop to fix this picture and take out the darn date. Jeremy said I shouldn't post this picture cause he is flashing me his gun but I love the picture. Besides he was on our property so it is completely legal begal!