Buddy, Casey And Me - Get Back On And Ride!

Back in the day, I was in my early 20s, and my daughter Casey was 2.  I had a horse, Buddy, which was a cutting/barrel horse.  I loved my Buddy.  We had a lot of good times with Buddy when he was mine.  I remember one time watching from the house, while my sister, Brenda and my sister in-law, Tonya, had Buddy out in the field with only the bridle on him.  Bareback, they rode him double through the pasture, falling off, getting back on and just having a great time.  They were younger than me and full of imagination, they were kickin' it with Buddy.

I didn't compete on him, but my good friend Becky did, she was good and I always felt guilty when I didn't let him do his thing.  You can tell when a horse loves what they can do.  It would have been sad not to let him compete.  I did ride him almost daily.  He was spirited and would turn on a dime.  He liked to do that on his own, so I had to keep him in line.  But that was part of his talent, turning on a dime.

He was also a little skitsy, if there was an abrupt loud noise, he reared up.  In the country, there weren't many of those and this did not upset me.  I had ridden enough in my life, I knew what to do.  So I never fell off of Buddy, until one day something was different.

I was riding, with Casey in front of me.  I had done this many times, no big deal.  This occasion we were riding outside of the pasture.  We were between our house and my in-laws house, off the road, but beside the road.  Husband was standing in our front yard and one of my brother in-laws was standing in his front yard, both on either side of me on Buddy with Casey on board.

My other brother in-law had gotten into his ride - and proceeded to start up his vehicle.  He was young and that vehicle had a loud motor.  When the motor ripped loud - Buddy started a rear up.  I didn't have but a split second to think.  I had two choices in that milli-second, one, use my hands in the defensive mode I was used to, leaning forward and to the side to miss his powerful head coming back at me.  The problem with this one is that Casey was in front of me, I knew the room between me and Buddy coming up was going to close in on her.  I was afraid that in that quick motion of movement on mine and Buddy's part, I might lose or hurt Casey.

So the second choice is the one I went with, I cupped my body and arm around Casey, holding on to her for dear life, leaving the other hand on the reigns.  I relaxed because I knew I was about to land on the ground with Casey in my arms, breaking her fall and intentionally going off the side opposite of Buddy's hoof direction.  It was a fast quick choreographed fall.  But it felt like slow motion.  As we were leaving the saddle, I bowed my back, lowered my head and in every way covered my little girl. 

One thing that I didn't control, or maybe I was, but I don't know why, was that I did not let go of the reigns with my other hand.  Until we hit the ground, I landed right on my butt, in a sitting position with Casey enclosed and still on my lap, unscathed.  I felt or heard Buddy's hoof hit the ground behind me and immediately let go of the reigns so he could bolt away from us.

As all of this was going on, husband and brother in-law were running towards us from different directions.  Brother in-law caught Buddy going his direction.  Quick as lightening, I checked us out, made sure that Casey was unharmed and jumped up to my feet with her in my arms.  I was mad, I was a little scared and when husband got to me, I pushed Casey into his arms and wheeled around.  Adrenaline took over.

Brother in-law was walking towards us with Buddy in tow.  I took the reigns, immediately got back on Buddy and rode him into exasperating oblivion.  I loved him, but he scared the *(^@! out of me.  So he was not going to get away with it.  Not sure if he got the message, but I was going to send it anyway!

As I have said many times before, back in the day, we were not as afraid as we are now.  Did this stop me from riding with Casey again, no, not at all.  In fact later, she had her own horse and rode like their was no fear.  I miss that life.  Full of adventure and trying things and just plain doing what we loved to do.  And even better, experiencing new things we might come to love too.

I kept Buddy until I became pregnant with my second daughter, Autumn.  I rode for awhile and came to a time of discussing it with my doctor.  The act of riding a horse is not harmful, the possible accident is.  So I didn't ride him for quite awhile.  I began to feel very badly for him, he was a talented horse and needed to be owned by someone that could help him live to his full potential and keep him in competition.  I sold him to someone who did just that.  We got more horses, but riding horses.  Ones I knew were just happy to be owned, ridden and loved by us.

Don't forget the things that make you happy people!  Get out there and do them!  If you fall off, get back on and ride!

Bayne Took Daytona 500 !!

What did I tell you about the rookie??? 

He wasn't on your bumper anymore, he was in front and blocking you!

Seriously this is a kid who picked Nationwide for points, and now I am not sure that is going to stick!  He just won the Daytona 500!  Many big time veteran drivers have yet to win this one.

He hasn't even won a Nationwide race yet!!

Jr. was in the running til the last 4 laps, he and Smoke had a run going!  But the flat tire pushed Jr back and left Smoke without a great pusher!  Then blast it, Jr got wrecked out with 2 to go!!!

Well on to Phoenix!  And I for one, am glad that 2x2 drafting is done for awhile!  Don't love it!

Loved the Lap 3 silence and all the hands holding up 3 fingers for Dale.

I saw a cool sign that said "Drafting with angels"

Daytona 500 !

Considered the super bowl of Nascar, the Daytona 500 is a week and 1/2 long experience.  It started last weekend with the Bud Shootout.  If you like racing, this is exciting.  I have been watching Nascar for the most part since early 90s.  I know, I know, it is or was considered a "redneck" sport.  But not anymore.  I am not a redneck and neither is Michael Jordon, he is now a sponsor for Denny Hamlin #11. 

I have been to Texas Motor Speedway for 3 races and loved it!  The sounds are great!

When I was a little kid, my mom had friends who drove race cars and there was a track that we went to and it was crazy loud and exciting even at a very young age.

It has to be said that Dale Earnhardt, Sr. is/was/still is my favorite and long story short, he died in race crash in the Daytona 500, ten years ago.  His son, Dale Jr. became my favorite after that.

So here are the cliff notes of this week at Daytona.

Dale Jr. won the pole for the 500, which happens tomorrow.

But then in the practice, he crashed his car, which now makes him start at the back of the pack in the 500 because he had to go to a back up car.

I was on pins and needles last night watching the truck portion of this event.  Now it was almost boring at first, watching lead changes and drafting with no real incident, but when it got to the big wrecks and down to the last 30 laps or so, drivers were starting to kick it in to get to the front and stage themselves to be at the front at the end of this race.  It was exciting and nailbiting.  They had two "big ones" and I mean big.  This is the huge pile up wrecks, about 15+ trucks crashing at approximately 200 miles an hour.  The safety has been so fine tuned in Nascar, especially since Dale's death, that these big ones didn't have any injuries, just drivers out of the race.

Michael Waltrip won this race, by calling the play to come and although his call was doubted, he played it out exactly as he called it and won the race!  He drove the #15 truck, with the colors of Dale Sr's famous #3 car, in remembrance of his friend in the race 10 years ago.  Michael drove one of Dale's cars in that fateful race.  On the last lap, Michael won the race in one of Dale's cars and as he was crossing the finish line, his friend, car owner and boss was hitting the wall and his life ended as Michael won his first race of his career.

Today is the Nationwide series of Nascar, the JV team, if you will.  This is the one that Danica Patrick will be running in!  She almost got the pole.  Also Dale Jr. and Michael Waltrip.  Who will win?  There is no telling!!  I am rooting for these three for todays race, what a trip if Waltrip won this one also and he will also race in the 500 tomorrow!

Who will I be pulling for tomorrow?  In the 500 - it is Jr all the way! 

One to watch out for today, tomorrow and in years to come - Bayne #21, he is the rookie and he is rocking hot right now!  Watch out boys, the youngin' is on your bumper!

Work, Work, Work

I am currently working 3 projects at the same time.  It really takes a lot of time and cuts into my personal life.  I have not been able to blog as much as I would like.

I do recordings for training for software, documentation and way too many project meetings.  It produces some good instructional tools.  But the act of doing it is very daunting.  The worst part I believe is the actual editing when I have completed the recording.  Painstakingly slow and arduous activity.

My current deadline is 2 weeks for 10 recordings.  I work long hours when this part of my training deliverables starts and until is it completed and handed over to the clients.

I will be blogging all along the way, but I am sure in a much slower fashion than I usually do, especially during the games!  I am still here and still posting!  Don't leave me!

Be Happy People!  I am loving this warm Texas winter, highs in the upper 70s.  Love it!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love A Great Japanese Restaurant

I like the lobster if it is done right.  Lots of lemon and just the right sauce.

Love the salad with Ginger dressing.

The soup is amazing here.

A little bit of sushi.

The plum wine is excellent here also.

And if you order certain things the wonderful tempera appetizer with that specific sauce.

10 Years Gone

Just Remembering Dale...

Let's Get This Started!

Just cleansing the palate!

Rock Our World 2011 Cowboys!!!

 

I FEEL BETTER NOW!

Doing the "Let's get this started" dance!

Whoo Hoo 2011 !!

Way To Throw A Great Super Bowl - Us - Cowboys Stadium Texas!

Packers Win Super Bowl XLV! 31 - 25

Rodgers gets out of Favres shadow.

They deserve it - Great Game!

I'm Going Back Into Cowboy Mourning

Another GB touchdown...

Steelers are letting me down...

Even Matthews is letting me down!

Excuse Me! Where Is Your Fight!!!!

dancing half time!
looked like Steelers were going to take this game back!
17-21
but GB is on 1st and ten, DEFENSE!  Take the ball Steelers, loudest fans in the new stadium ever - so take that ball away from the cheesers and claim your battleground!

What is your major delay????

Half Time Steelers 10 - GB 21

Rburger, Rburger, Rburger - turn it around! Pola? where you at? 3 - 21

RBURGER! why you being so negative!  Steelers!  rip some cheese!

Pola thought you were going to get you some Rodgers????

Come On Steelers! Still 3 - 14 GB

Out of respect for a great team, even with our history.  Long time rival and in my mourning period, I decided to back you all the way (after Cowboys lost out) - and you give me this????

I am practically bored!  (did like that little darth vader commercial)
I would say I paid good money for this!  But I didn't, I paid with moving over to the dark side!  Backing the boys all time nemesis - I have been touting Steelers!  Steelers!  Steelers!  And I get this?

Let's rally!  Yeah! Randell L gave me some goods!  Keep it up, let's rock and roll!

And I am loving all the upcoming movie ads!

Packers 14 - Steelers 3

Packers are beating up the Steelers, more ways than one!

Steelers have the ball, they better kick it into gear!

Picked Off - GB scores again! 0-14

Rburger sacked after throw, intercepted!

Touchdown Packers! 7-0

1st Score touchdown Packers and extra point!

Couple of good commercials so far, nothing off the chart yet - game or commercials...

I am liking the movie previews, got a list to go see!

Why am I sitting at home, watching the Super Bowl by myself?  When you have a touch of the flu, nobody wants you to show up for their SB party!

That is it I am overdoing it on the vitamins this week!

Got to rest up for project week (while I am fb'ing and blogging for my friend who has to work tonight)!

Good Game already...

Hahaha ref already lost his cap, Rburger already ended run, penalty on 1st down, denied! GB on their first run...

Great Intro...

Michael Douglas speech, great!

Nice Touch!

Sam Elliot?  Yeah, nice touch! 

On behalf of most women, well, anywhere, thank you.  Very much.

Battle Of The Sackers!

I think this game is going to be a showdown in who can sack the QB the most times!

Both Rburger and Dodger Rodgers can run with the ball and do it well.  Today I see them running for their lives.  Both teams had better protect those two, I see defenses with a common goal - QB blood!

(cool pic)

Rburger is big, but he can be taken down!  There is a whole pack o sackers on GB!

(how did that Cowboy sack get in here?)

Rodgers is fast, but Pola is faster!  And he can fly!  No accident they put his pic on the side of the stadium with Rodgers.  And don't forget Harrison, blood I tell you!

Are They Ready?

Ward dresses for Texas - Love that buckle!

"My name is Raji and I am a cheesehead"

Matthews: "I would like to apologize to Moody for my unsportsmanlike conduct towards her Cowboys"

"...I'm on her list?"

No words.

One more time...?

First time...?

Super Bowl, The Cowboy Way!

Is This Sweet Or What?  The hand made Super Bowl Saddles.

Can you imagine having this saddle?  How sweet it would be for one of those conchos to be for the Dallas Cowboys?  I would want a belt made with them!

Only 2 handmade by Leddy's Boots and Saddlery crafter, (here in Fort Worth since 1941 but started in 1922.  I can remember shopping there with my family when I was a child.)  One for Steeler's, one for Packers.  I got the pic below from the Chicago Sun Times newspaper.

Saddles, buckles and other hand crafted silver items are often used as trophies for rodeos, horse shows and futurities.

Amazing!  What a significant representation for Texas!

There are super bowl cowboy boots, hats and belts made with the emblem that can be purchased.  They are all hand made and takes 100s of hours each.

When I was a little kid, my mom used to tool leather for belts.  Putting the design in the leather, carving with tiny leather tools, she was good at it.  The tack room in a barn was common play area in my life and I love that smell of leather.

Are We Ready For Some Football?

                       


Well this week has not gone exactly the way I thought it would.  This freak winter storm in Texas just threw me for a loop and played havoc in all kind of ways with travel and fun and people trying to travel to sunny Texas for this match up.  Honestly, 70s and 80s last weekend and we have been under a layer of ice now for over 4 days!  I really hate that all the masses coming to visit us, did not get the 70s and 80s!

All kidding and venom aside, I am very proud of my city and my team's stadium and the fact that we are hosting.  It is an amazing venue and you cannot deny it!  No matter who you hate.

Nobody ordered me a limo bus with a sand truck in front of me to take me to the stadium or anywhere else for that matter so I have been stuck inside and on top of that I got some kind of flu.  So it has been a sad disappointing week!  But moving on from there, meds in hand, sunshine outside and ignoring the reports that there is more arctic temps headed our way next week, I am taking the vitamins and prepping for a great weekend and a great game!  I cannot wait!

Keep watching I will be posting some Fort Worth Super Bowl pics you may want to see.

You can deal with this....

OR

...that's it, that's all i got

Sick And Tired And Cold And Maid Is Fired! Also Soup And Egypt...

I had to get it all in one, I plan to sleep through tonight and tomorrow!  No time to fiddle around with a title!

I am kidding, I don't have a maid, but if I did she would be fired.  She did not clean my house or make me supper!  Would that be a maid or a wife? hmmm.... I used to be one of those...

Here is a pic of CT from a friend of mine, this is his deck off of his house, not the landscape.  I told him we just had about 2 inches of ice, that's all.

I am sick and have been Nyquil'd out all day to keep from coughing, which feels like I have multiple broken ribs.  Or to stop the pain of the huge headache I get when I am conscious!

Problem with all this is that it is a frozen world out there today!  And yesterday.  My doc's office was not open today.  Friends are slipping and sliding away or sitting at home by the fires!  Unless you are all electric and you are getting hit with rolling blackouts!

Now I am hearing what is worse to me, natural gas may be doing this too.  OMG, that could cause all kinds of problems, dangerous problems, like the pilot light won't come back on when gas does!  I am so tired.  Just so tired of thinking about all of this.

The only reason I am not in bed right now is because I am waiting on soup.  Must have nourishment and liquids right? and I am a little stupid because I didn't know I was going to get sick and bought the stuff to make soup, not the can I could have opened and had eaten by now :(  So chicken noodle bean soup with jalapenos.  Jalapenos can cure anything I believe, right!  This soup tonight is just heat the chicken and throw stuff from the cabinet into the pot!  I got tired after noodles and beans...  so there it is.

Let's put him in a pot!  (one of my favorite movie lines, Cold Mountain, Renee Z)  Love that movie!

Sidenote:  I am so engrossed in the Egypt news, it is necessary I know.  I have been watching when I am not asleep, for days, but there was a fire in the museum!  More than 5000 years of history, oh no...  Hope they protect it better during all of this!  I made friends with an Egyptian guy when I worked in Montreal.  He had to leave his country and he told me a lot of things, so maybe they will get their country back.

Stay well people, stay warm, stay off the roads and be happy!