Retreat

A week ago this past Thursday I left for my annual fall scrapbook retreat through Cat's Creations held at Mitchell RV Park & Resort. I LOVE this place. It is in the middle of NOWHERE yet not far enough away that I can't come home should I need to. I did have to do that on Friday to feed horses and let dogs out as hubby was on duty at the fire station.

I usually take a week to try to get ready. Deciding what projects I will work on, choosing pictures and papers and what tools I may take. Not this time. I failed at packing for this trip miserably! I finally just started grabbing some things and left a lot at home trying to be more realistic in my expectations of what I would actually get accomplished.

When I get to the retreat I found a new apron waiting on me! I am so proud of it! I know you can't see it all but under my arm are multi-colored paw prints down the right side.
One of the projects I chose to work on is re-decorating Kennedy's letters. When the kids moved they had boxed up Kennedy's letters and hadn't unpacked them until they moved this last time. Unfortunately before the last move the letters were damaged by a water heater that leaked soaking the box that contained the letters. This is what they used to look like. I was so proud of them. I was sad when they got wet.

Here's the revised letters. They go with the colors in the girls room better.

I tried to keep just a little bit of "horsey" theme! The picture doesn't show dimension but I have some on almost every letter.

These are the letters I made for Remi a year ago. I used some of the same papers on Kennedy's. I hope Kennedy's new letters will look good on their wall.








Another project I wanted to get done is make a card for a young couple. It's my really good friend Teresa's daughter. She got married 2 years ago on 11-11-11. I went a step further and created an envelope out of the same paper line (Authentique) using the envelope maker by We R. The image is a Phyllis Harris design by Unity Stamp Company. I was very pleased with the finished product! I had some alpha stickers that came with the paper collection and I used the initial of their last name to seal the envelope.


I did get 15 page layouts completed. I just didn't take any pictures.

One of the many things I love about coming to this retreat is getting outdoors and walking around. I missed getting any sunset pics this time.  Can you believe it?! I know! I'm in shock myself. The best night was Thursday and I missed the window of opportunity. We had cloud cover the rest of the time.

I did however see this guy...or gal...on my way into town Friday morning to feed. He was laying down until I did a u-turn to get pics. When I stopped in front of where he was he started getting up. I was too close for comfort.

Keeping an eye on me!

Friday was a very chilly day and the sunshine was short lived so I didn't take my usual adventure. The weather was better Saturday.

Found this little guy fluttering around. I couldn't catch him with his wings open.

Every time I am here I take a picture of these trees. I just think it is so unusual. It has grown since I first discovered it.

Overall, it was still a good retreat and I am pleased with what I accomplished. It was good to get a way for a few days.

This was taken the night before my retreat. I thought it was cool with the moon and one of the planets shining brightly as the last rays of sunlight fade.

This was the sunset the day I came home from the retreat. I think these guys were glad to see me!

Have a good one!

I Think I'm Going to Live

I wasn't too sure a week ago.

I know there is a risk of getting hurt when dealing with large animals.

I was a little too trusting and let my guard down.

I was thrown from one of the new horses.

The one who I've been treating for a limp for about month, Patches. Sweet faced, gentle Patches. Well, so I
thought.

She had just taken her last dose of Bute and I wanted to start working her. The vet said I could ride her as long as I took it easy. For a change of pace I thought it would be nice to do something other than go round and round in the pen.

That...was my first mistake.

I had ridden her before and she did fine. I expected her to do something the first time I got on her and although she acted apprehensive she didn't do anything. After all she had been "trained" to ride!

I tied her to the pipe fence opposite of the trailer to saddle her. The first time I put the saddle on she acted skittish of the saddle blanket but not today. I put the saddle on without incident. I then got the bridle. I had taken the halter off and fastened it just around her neck so I could put the bridle on. I was going to take it off before I mounted when I had a brief thought "no...I'll leave it on until I mount then remove it once I'm in the saddle.

Well....that was the plan.

I put my foot in the stirrup and proceeded to mount. As soon as my butt hit the seat of the saddle she started pitching (bucking).

I quickly began to problem solve in my head. She could through me in the fence...not a good plan or I can try to "exit stage left" (also not a very good plan) and hope I don't do anything but hit the ground. The rest is kind of a blurr.

The next thing I know I landed flat on my back knocking the wind out of me. I manage to scramble out of the way as I can still hear her bucking and don't want to risk her stepping on or kicking me. I also hear the other horses making their way over to see what's going on.

It takes several seconds for me to catch my breath. I begin having a conversation with myself in my head. "Maybe if I roll over on my stomach it won't hurt so bad" I roll to my stomach. "Nope, maybe if I lay on my back". I roll to my back. "Nope, can I get up on my hands and knees?" I get up on all fours. "ok, if I take short breaths I can breath."

Then I realize I don't have my glasses. I think "oh crap!" cause I can't see hardly anything without them! By now Patches has stopped throwing a fit and is still. I see what I think are my glasses and crawl on all fours to grab them just as Dixie comes over to sniff me.

Thankfully my glasses appear to be intact. Just an earpiece seems a little sprung but wearable.

I'm breathing a little better but still very short breaths. I make a quick assessment and the only place I seem to have pain is in my back. 

Then the horseman in me comes out and I think "I can't let this incident go without addressing it."

I'm PISSED!

I stand to my feet and make my way to Patches, untie her and lead her to the round pen. On the way there the stirrups are hitting her sides and she tries to run me over a couple of times.

Once in the round pen I take off the halter and proceed to work her. She tried to buck a few more times until I got her going... for about an hour....after the accident. She was wet all over by the time we were through.

It was all I could do to feed everyone. It hurt to pickup a feed bucket. Doyle had come out to do the wiring for the tank heater and said "I see that Patches is wet. I guess you rode her today." I said "Not, exactly." I told him what happened. He helped me finish taking care of them. Then chided me for not calling him.  The thought did cross my mind but I dismissed it when I felt like I wasn't in need of critical care.

I could hardly move. It took all my effort to get in my truck to come home. Once here, I take some Aleve. It takes the edge off but about 9:30pm I begin to envision a painful and sleepless night. I also have a conversation with myself  "what if you did break something and it's punctured a lung or lacerated something? What if you have internal bleeding? After all, you are 53...and you don't bounce like you once did! Don't be stupid!"

I ask Doyle what he thinks. He says "I don't have x-ray eyes. You won't know unless you go."

So... we make a trip to the ER. Nothing was broken...thankfully! They sent me home with pain meds.

I also discovered a bruise on my stomach. Don't know how that happened. It's possible I hit the horn of the saddle but I don't remember.

I have basically gone to work and come home for the past week. Surprisingly the only way I could get relief was to lay on my back! Wednesday was my worst day.


Today, one week since the incident I haven't had to take any meds for pain. Yeah! I am still sore but its bearable. I also went to work with horses but only for a short time and not to ride. Not sure if I am ready to lift a saddle yet.

Have a good one!

All I Can Say....

....is I'm frustrated.

Patches is still limping. She isn't worse but she's definitely not much better. I put a call into the vet on Friday. He got back to me on Saturday morning. He was really surprised she wasn't significantly better (so was I). She did good on the higher dose of Bute but when I decreased it she started stiffening up again. I gave her the last dose Saturday morning.

The Vet prescribed more Bute giving it to her twice a day for a week then decrease to once a day for another week. Give her two weeks off then begin light workouts. He did reassure me that these type of injuries just take time to heal.

Look at that sweet face! Her disposition is so docile. She is so pretty...well they all are. I tell them that every time I see them!

On a positive note, giving Patches two weeks off gives me more time to work with the other two. I am still working with Dixie to load in the trailer. We had success today!

For a couple of weeks she would put her front feet in but I couldn't get her all the way. Since I am by myself most of the time I didn't have anyone to encourage her from behind to get in. Then I got an idea. I remembered I had some horse treats. It worked! The way to her heart is through her stomach! I got her to get in the trailer all the way 3 times. The first time she did it I was so excited I hugged her! We'll keep working on it until she will willingly get in the trailer without me leading her in. At least that is my goal.

I'm still working with her in the round pen. Once we have the trailer loading down good then I think I will progress to trying to saddle her and getting her used to that.

Diamond. He's such a pretty BIG boy! He was feeling really frisky this day so I decided the round pen would be a great place to work off some of that energy before I got on!

We had a great ride. Some of the trees are beginning to turn colors.

Kennedy and Kashton (7 months) ready for a wagon ride.

Kennedy wanted to be "Bat Gurl" for Halloween. Since it falls in the middle of the week there were several Fall festivals this past weekend. Vanessa took Kennedy and her cousin Krystal. Vanessa got Krystal's costume after they left our house.



Have a good one!

Life is Full and Life is Good

It has been one busy week! I'm continuing to work with the new horses in what spare time I have. It is definitely keeping me very busy. There really isn't any deadline or timetable except for the one in my head. I know I have all the time I need yet I feel this pressure to spend as much time as I can working with them to get them usable for all my family.

It makes me smile to see them all grazing peacefully together. The two mares are in the middle and the geldings on each end.

One of the horses that is trained to ride came up limping after I had ridden her once and it was an obvious limp. I had concluded that she either got kicked or hurt herself kicking at one of the others. Some of that is still going on with these guys although it has calmed down considerably. I tried keeping her semi confined to give her time to heal but after nearly two weeks and she wasn't any better I decided a vet trip was in order.

The vet did a thorough examine. He felt like she had just pulled a muscle or tendon. Since she had just been turned out to pasture the last several years she wasn't in shape and recent activity in my care probably brought the strain about. He gave me some Bute (an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever for horses) to give her twice a day for two weeks. The second week decreasing the dosage. He also said to begin to lightly work her to tone up her muscles. He said she was like someone who had been sitting on the couch and decided to go out and jog for a mile! I was very relieved! He said to not ride right now but I could work her in the round pen. So to the round pen we go.

She seems to be saying "are we done yet?" See how she's holding up her back left hind? That is the leg she is limping on. Although she didn't limp during the work out she rested it when she stopped.

I'm still working with the other mare "Dixie". I still don't have her loading all the way in the trailer yet but we'll get there. She is being more responsive to me of which I am glad. Kennedy calls her "Disky". I would like to change her name but Doyle and I haven't been able to agree upon a different name yet.

She got pretty sweaty this day so I rewarded her with a little cool down with the water hose.

She wasn't too sure about it at first but she tolerated it ok. I know it made me feel better to wash all that sweat off!

I managed to get a little ride time in on Diamond. He is such a big pretty boy!

Beautiful end to the day.

Every time I go to the pasture I pinch myself to see if I'm dreaming. I just love these guys! I am so thankful to have been given the privilege of owning them. I smile every time I see them. Usually after they eat their grain they hang out in the barn and eat hay but this morning something had their attention and they left the barn after eating their grain. As I make my way to the truck to head to work this is how I found them. They crack me up!

Friday morning the clouds were very interesting.

And Friday evening too! See the two rays of sunlight? I thought it was cool.


Life is very full right now but it's also very good!

Have a good one!

Best of Both Worlds

I went to spend a little time with the girls Wednesday. Remi is here for two weeks. I went at lunch. Vanessa is keeping the little boy. His name is Legend and he's 5 months younger than Kennedy. He's a little sweetie.


After lunch we went for a walk around the neighborhood. Vanessa wanted to take the opportunity to go grocery shopping while I was there. I wanted to take Kajen along with us but I couldn't find his leash. I improvised and used some baling twine I had in the truck. It looks a bit "red-neck" but it worked!

Legend wanted to push Kashton in the stroller. The girls had their bikes and kept getting ahead of us.

It was a beautiful day for a walk/ride in the neighborhood. We all had fun. I never heard a peep out of Kashton!

After visiting the kids I went to work with one of the new horses, Dixie. She is the youngest and has been trained the least. She is halter broke but that is about it. My first goal with her is to get her to pay attention to me and respond when I ask her to. I've been working on this by way of using a round pen. I learned this from a well known horse trainer John Lyons (not personally but through his video teaching series on this method). I used it with my other horses and is very effective.

She is so pretty. I enjoy watching her. Mr. Lyons teaches that you can't make a horse stop moving his feet but you can control which direction they go! The motivation the horse has to figure out what I want her to do is her lungs. She will get tired and want to stop. The goal isn't to wear her out but to focus on me. In this picture I definitely DON'T have her attention. Her nose is pointed outward away from me. I want it to be pointed more towards me.

 Now I have your attention! It's almost as if she's saying "ok...you have my attention....now what do you want?"

My next goal is to train her to load in the trailer of her on initiative. She got in the trailer when we picked her up to bring to our place but it took two hours to do it. I worked with her Tuesday but it was a rough day. Two times I tried to urge her to load she balked then reared and pulled the rope out of my hand. One time she fell over! I spent quite a bit of time with her in the round pen that day!

She seems to be saying "Big scarwey trailer!"

Wednesday, I did the same thing. We started in the round pen and then moved to the trailer. Her and my attitude was much better that day. Look! We're halfway in! That is major progress! Although I didn't get her to go all the way in, she did this willingly about 4 or 5 times and backed out calmly each time! I was very pleased. I am going to try again tomorrow. Hoping I'm not too optimistic but I am expecting her to get in all the way!

I eventually want to ride her but I have quite a ways to go before that happens!

Have a good one!

Found a Little Time to Craft

I've definitely been doing a lot of this with the addition of three more! It's not all been riding though. Lots of ground work too. Just lots of work...but it's worth it to me!

I worked at the store last Saturday. We had several customers and it was a crop weekend. It was also World Card-Making Day. To celebrate we made cards for Operation Write Home for our heroes to have cards to send to family. I managed to make 10 cards that day. I was thrilled!

I used scraps of designer paper and cardstock so I can't tell you whose paper this is! The stamp is from Hero Arts. I just LOVE this big sentiment stamp! I made two of this one.

This stamp from the same set. I made two of these.

This stamp is an Itty Bitty from Unity Stamp Co.

This was also an Itty Bitty by Unity Stamp Co.

I made some children's cards for Mommy's & Daddy's serving our country to write home to their sons and daughters. I cut out the dinosaur. Since he was a dark color I embossed the "I love you" sentiment with white powder. I popped the dinosaur with an action wobble. I made two of these.

Similar but different. I did the same on this dinosaur I did the other.

I just love this little acrylic stamp set by Technique Tuesday. Not sure the name of it but there are several zoo animals and sentiments.

Although the verdict is still out whether or not I will dive into "mixed media", I have dabbled in it some. This is my creation. I started this 2 weeks ago and just got the chance to finish it up tonight.

Using water color paper and Tim Holtz Distress Inks "Wild Honey" & Salty Ocean I applied ink from the pad directly to my nonstick craft mat, spritzed with water and painted the background. I randomly applied the color mixing it in places producing the "green hue" you see.

I really like the little girl image. It is a stamp from Unity Stamp Co. designed by Phyllis Harris. I stamped the image on paper designed for Copic Markers and colored the image with the markers. I then cut it out and glued to the paper. I took a pencil and began to draw my letters then went back and colored in using Faber Castell markers, big brush markers and twinkling H2O's. I was actually rather pleased with my result! This is what I plan to put inside the Art Journal I made at the Jen Star class I took at Cat's Creations.

I am entering these projects in Cat's Creations WOW Wednesday. Leave me a comment for a chance to win a prize. A random commenter will be chosen and you just might be it! Check out the other entries! You will be inspired I promise!

Until next time...happy trails!

It's Been a Full Week and Then Some

I took off Monday and Tuesday last week to spend time with the horses. I am SO glad I did. The first few days of feeding twice a day was time consuming. The horses were learning and new routine and I was trying to figure out a new routine! Until they could figure out what the routine was I was having to halter and lead them where I wanted them to be.

Is it just me or does this picture make the theme song of Bonanza run through your head! This was how I was greeted Tuesday morning!

After the explosive encounters Clyde had with the trio we separated him from them to keep him from getting beat up. On Tuesday I decided to introduce one horse at a time beginning with Patches. She is the 13yo.

So far so good....maybe a little kissy face?

ok...maybe not!

I decided to add one more. One more girl that is.
Clyde has always had a way with the ladies!

While taking pictures of the horses I noticed that I could still see the moon and it was 11 o'clock in the morning! I thought it was way cool!

Every time I added Diamond (the black & white gelding) he would try to keep the girls away from Clyde.

Do you see how Patches is making her way to get closer to Clyde?

Mission completed!

Working Diamond in the round pen.

Kennedy gets her first ride on one of the new horses! Diamond is probably the most ready of the three but I still need to spend some time with him. The three have been together for years and have not ever been apart so when you take one away they experience anxiety. Hoping to work on that.

Have a good one!