A Milestone

Today, our little five year old nephew reached a big milestone. 

The kind of milestone that separates the men from the boys. 

The kind of milestone that gives a five year old the most freedom he has ever experienced-in all of his five years.

One that requires the removal of these:

From this:

Houston, we have lift off.

Had a few spills.  But nothin' was gonna stop this guy.

At the end of the day, we took a survey of the damage.

                                   

Not too bad for a days work. 

Great job little man!

A Cowboy. A Horse. And A Good Deed.

Today, Wrangler Man had a very important job to do.

Probably, one of the most important jobs he will do all summer.

It involved catching one of these.

Neither Lefty or Dandy was interested in being caught.

Lefty was the lucky one.  Or was he the unlucky one?

He got to go to town and visit the preschool.

All the preschool kids got a turn.  I don't know who had more fun-Lefty or the kids.  There were little girls.  Little boys.  Big sisters.  Mamas, Daddys, and Grammys.  All just to watch their special little person take a ride on Lefty. 

I was there to watch Wrangler Man   my nephew.

When everyone had finished their turn, it was time to load up and head back to the ranch.

                                       

But....wait. 

What's all that screeching at the fence?

                                  

                           

Big tough cowboy, with a big soft heart, turns around and heads over the daycare section of preschool.  These little cowgirls and cowboys were not scheduled to ride today.  Truth is, just a peek and a touch through the fence was just perfect for them.

These two guys did their good deed for the day. 

Lots of happy kids and the stuff memories are made of.

Good job Wranglers!

Bottoms, Elbows, And Baseball

Tis the season.  Baseball Season.  And in these parts, that is serious business.

My fourteen year old step-son is an awsome athlete.  (he is also a genius)  For now, I am talking about baseball.

That's him at bat.

                           

Come on!  Bring me home!

                           

Umm.  Excuse me.  I am trying to get a good picture of my boy coming home.

Could you please move your bottom?  And move your elbow.  And that glove-could you please just put it down a little?  Please??

Don't these boys know to get out of the way when a mama is taking pictures?

                              

Our kid is also a great catcher.  Nothing gets by #12.

                          

                             

                                                                                            

 

                           

   

                               

 

                              

                            

 And the game goes on.  Sorry about the fence.  It's there for protection from the speeding balls of fire.  However, I have a friend who suffered a broken nose at a game two years ago.  I think she would disagree.

                       

                          

                                    

                                

                                  

This is the last picture.  Baseball games also come with really good concession stand food. 

Really good.  And I found it difficult to hold my camera and eat my monster cookie.  Okay...Monster Cookies.  Then there were the home made burritos.  And the brownies.  And the nachos. 

Junk food heaven and baseball.

A perfect night out.

                                                                                     

                                                                             

Freak Of Nature?

Is this a true blue freak of nature thing?  Or is this just your everyday tree with legs?

Ok.  Mystery solved.

Around the ranch, there is always work to be done.  Always.

And as I have said before, there is no age limit on workers.

This weekend, a neighbor who lives several miles down the road-(is that still considered a neighbor?), anyway, our nearest neighbor made the two hour trip to Walmart to get trees.  He was kind enough to offer to pick some up for us-the trees were on sale, so we were thrilled!  There were thirty six trees left, so Walmart gave him an even better discount for taking them all.  Thank you Walmart.  You rock.

Trees in this part of the country are precious.  And rare. 

We got right to work mapping out where the trees should be planted. 

Then we got right to the good part.  Digging the holes.

Okay.    I should explain that I am using the term "we",  loosely.

Very loosely.   But hey-I was helping.  Except for when I thought I was gonna faint.

And when I had to get sunscreen.

And bug spray.

And gloves.

And then I almost fainted again.  But after I went back to the house one more time for a glass of tea, I was ready to help again.  This type of work is not for wimps.

Good thing I am tough girl.  Wranglers was so thankful I was here to help him with this big project.

I am sure of it, even though he referred to me as "a little confused".  But only once.  I think it was right before I almost fainted.  Or was it right after?

One thing is for sure-we make a really good team.  Just ask Wranglers.

Uh...ur...um...maybe you shouldn't ask him.  Just take my word for it.  Thank you.

At the end of the day, we had planted eighteen trees and put down six hundred feet of drip line.

A job well done!

Ten Things That Make Me Crazy.

There are ten things that make me crazy.

Actually there are many more, but I will stick to ten. 

1. The wind.  Unless, of course, it's a nice ocean breeze.

2. Mowing my yard in the wind.  Actually, doing anything in the wind.

3. I seem to be getting further away from financial freedom.  And my beach house.

4. My wood floors. It's a love/hate relationship.

5. The woodpecker above my bedroom window.

6. The fact there is no beach in the state I live in. Or in any of the surrounding states.
7. Having ANY type of function to go to after working a ten hour day.
8. My eyelashes. They won't curl anymore. I even bought a new curler.
9. Did I mention the wind?

10.Store-bought tomatoes.

                                                                        THE END

The Reason I Have Been MIA

Finally, here I am.  Back to blogging.  Here are a few of the reasons I have been MIA.

First, there have been numerous days when I leave the house at 7:00 a.m., and have not returned for fourteen hours.  I really hate it when that happens.  Unless it's like last night-got together with the girls and made shower mints.  And drank cocktails.  And made more mints.  And drank more cocktails.




School has ended, and my fourteen year old stepson received the highest honor possible in ALL of his academic classes.  Did I mention, I think he inherited his smarts from me.

Then, my beautiful daughter came for a visit.

 You have to see these shoes up close.

And that lump there on her ankle, it is not from falling off her heels.  That is from a shattered ankle during a basketball game.  Seven screws and two metal plates will not slow this girl down. 

Then a friend with a big heart delivered my mother-in-law in this:

Now let me tell you folks.  This. Is. The. Way. To. Travel.  This trip takes eight hours in the car.  They landed in one hour and forty minutes.  Wonder if I could fly a plane? 

Wranglers thinks I should probably leave it to the experts.

Memaws love seeing their grandchildren.


Ok, here is one more reason I have been MIA.

We are painting our house.  And yes, I said "we".  I have been helping, but I do have to stop and take pictures.  And get a beer glass of tea.  And answer my phone.  And look at the clouds.

The original beige paint has faded to a pinkish color.  Pink!  So, we are going back to a color that is close to the original.  And a lot less pink.

Oh, here is one more reason.

Swimming lessons!

And that's all I have been up to.