Friday

We are at Nikki's again. We are going to a Myers/Kephart family reunion tomorrow in Puyallup and I think we are going to stay down there for the night. We have family that we need to see that we have put off. It will be a good day.

We had fun traveling with Isaac. He is a character. I had to put on the brakes quickly once and he told me that I needed to drive more carefully. I really needed advice from a five year old.

I am looking foreward to being just us for a while.

Thursday

I had several pictures to post tonight but it is late and I need to get to bed. This is Isaac enjoying the trampoline. He had a good time.

Again, we are leaving in the AM for Marysville again. We will be returning Isaac and Bryant to their parents and then on Saturday we will be attending a Family Reunion in Puyallup. It is going to be hot.

This evening we had a nice meeting of our Mustang Club. I appreciate Andrea coming all the way up to attend. Her family got a tiny bit of good news. When its all been bad a tiny bit is big. We are planning a ride in September. The date we have set is bad for me but maybe everyone else it is good for. Will make our decisions at our August meeting the last Thursday.

Remember: A house is built of logs and stone, of tiles and posts and piers, a home is built of loving deeds that stand a thousand years. Author unknown

Wednesday

A great day. Isaac kept us entertained all day. This morning he was outside with his Grandpa and the rooster was crowing. Bob was doing something and Isaac turned to his grandpa and said"When you are done will you turn that chicken off." Cracked grandpa up. When it came time for lunch I asked him what kind of a sandwhich he wanted and he said dead serious, I will have ham and cheese with a bit of mustard and mayo please. Thats what he got too.

He rode Pepper this evening, went swimming and ate dinner that we call supper. He wanted to know what supper was. We had tears after dinner but he would not tell me why. Grandpa and he went to make smores in the microwave and see how big they could get the marshmellows and he told me he couldn't eat it. I asked him why and he said he still had corn in his mouth and he didn't like it. I had him go spit it out. Poor baby. He gladly ate the smore then.

We caught the chickens that keep escaping and clipped wings today. They are not happy with us. I like them to free range but I don't want a dog to kill them. We have four new ones and they stay huddled by themselves. They don't quite know if they like it here or not.

Isaac has such fun riding the four wheeler to get the horses in. He wants to go fast but we are not chasing them, just urging them to come in.

This has been an Isaac review I guess. His brother Bryant is here too but an 18 year old is not near as entertaining as a five year old. He did some calking on the the house for us today and jumped on the trampoline. Hope my pictures of him high in the air turn out. I have not looked.

It was not so hot today, and it was a good day. Hope yours was as good.

Remember: Forgiveness if the final form of love. Reinhold Niebuhr

Thankful Tuesday

This old schoolhouse has called for me to stop and take its picture every time I travel down Hiway 2 towards Wenatchee. So last Thursday that is what I did. I am sure it has a story to tell. Wish I could hear it.

This is Trey, one of the Youth and Yearling competitor. He won the in hand trail division. He did a really fine job. This was during the auction portion of the day. I could not take pictures because I was judging but not only this young man, but the entire group of kids did a fine job. Both of the yearlings he worked with were adopted. Four went back to Burns.

Someplace down here is the start of My Thankful Tuesday picture. It uploaded but don't seem to be able to locate it. Its a picture of my 2 large tomatoes I harvested from my garden last night. They are large and smell so good. I am thankful for the wonderful produce my little garden is giving me. One zuchinni is producing enough for an army. Into the freezer for zuchinni bread this winter. Radishes and lettuce are awesome too. I have loads of tomatoes coming too. I have started a bag of raspberries in the freezer too. They are so sweet and yummy.

Remember: You will find, as you look back upon your life, that the moments that stand out are the moments when y0u have done things for others. Henry Drummond

Monday

I am home safe and sound although roasting. Literally. I came home from Nikki's today with 2 grandsons. Isaac is 5 and Bryant is 18. I am sweltering. I don't know how hot it got but close to 100 I am sure. Its miserable. Our poor cooler is struggling to keep it comfortable in here. Not succeeding verys well either.

I brought some chickens home that Tracey got for me. They are cute little hens. Now I have to figure our when I can get her dog carrier back to her.

The Yay show they had on Saturday that I was judging was great. I was so proud of the kids. They did wonderful.

Maybe tomorrow I won't feel so drug out. Have not even tried to go look at the horses.

Remembers: Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. Sir James Matthew Barrie

A Fun Friday

Nikki and I had a blast today. I was mostly along for the ride but we had a great time. No one got up very early because we stayed up late. Not my usual forte but it was OK.

She and left about noon and went up to Bellingham. I tried to call you Tracey, left you a message. We went to a burger place on Holly and another street. It was really good but large. We walked around a bit and then went to Sabbath Tatoos. Nikki got a tatoo on her back shoulder. I know it hurt but she did it fine.

Phillip who owns the place and did her tatoo is the son of a niece. He is a sweet young man. Well, she isn't really a niece but she has called me Aunty Lea all her life and I think of her as a niece. Phil's baby girl Leona, well his and Megans, has her first birthday tomorrow. Such a fun time in their lives. It was so good to see him.

I fiddled around and forgot to call Bob and now he is down on the St. Joe camping. And I forgot to call my sister today. She is in the hospital in Tullahoma, TN. She is not ill, well she would not be there is there was not a problem. She is getting IV therapy for a powerful bacterial infection that she has had for too long a time. I will call her tomorrow for sure.

Have a good Saturday.

Thursday

Just a quicky note this evening. I made it to Marysville just fine. I went and had my hair trimmed up first thing this AM and then Lane and I headed out. We came Hiway 2. Closer but not as fast. Stopped and took some pictures along the way. We had a lesiarly lunch in Wenatchee. Stopped for ice cream in Leavenworth, hiked to the bottom of Decemption Falls. And got here just in time for a great dinner of enchiladas that Nikki had ready

Tomorrow Nikki and I are going to Bellingham for her to get a new tatoo. I wish I had the money to get mine jazzed up a little. It fades out in the summer for some reasons. Not clear away but fades. It is a horse on my wrist.

I have pictures but they are on my camera. Don't have a remember tonight. Just have a good thought for each of you.

Wednesday

The lillies in my front yard. I was afraid that they would get hurt when they were siding the house but they didn't. I brought these plants with me from Spokane when we moved out there in 1993. I need to seperate them but they are very pretty. They certainly brighten up the front yard with a minimum of effort.

The hottest day of the summer so far. Our cooler does not seem to cool our bedroom. We need a window open a little to suck the cool air this way. We don't have screens on so if we open the window the bugs come in. Just decided the bugs were the lesser of the evils.

Tomorrow morning as soon as they open I will get my hair trimmed, mostly because my bangs are hanging in my face and driving me NUTS. Then I will come back, load the car with my bag and Lanes stuff and we head for his home. I am so thankful that we have good airconditioning in the car. Nikki -his mom- and I have plans for Friday and on Saturday I will judge at the Youth and Yearlings mustang show in Arlington. It will be fun.

I did not go out much until this evening. Bob caught Amelia and moved her out of her pasture into another one. She had been sharing it with two large billy goats. The were good company but you have to stand and hold her food or they chase her away and eat it. She is so non aggresive that she lets them. She is so sweet.

I have access to the computer at Nikki's so I should not get too much behind here.

Remember: A tiny boquet of fresh cut flowers can fill a room with sunshine but a little act of kindness can fill a heart with joy. Katherine Nelson

Tuesday

Four sweet little barn swallows that will be flying off one day very soon. We have been watching them grow. There are about 4 nests inside the barn with varying sizes of babies. These are in the part of the barn that we store the tractor and round bales.

It was so hot today Lane and I did not do much. We went to Walmart this morning to get some silicone stuff that Steve is putting around the windows. We got a few groceries and I got Lane a shirt for school. Don't know if he needed it but we liked it so I got it. I got some socks. A big shopping expedition.

Remember: It is kindness in a person, not beauty which wins out love. Anonymous

Monday

The house is quiet. Toms kids went home this morning. They were so tired 2 of them went to sleep and its only a 40 minute drive. Coreen went home this evening. Lane is plumb worn out. They had a grand time but it was time to take them home and just have Lane for a few more days. He and I will leave for his home Thursday.

I will judge a mustang show in Arlington (just North of Everett) on Saturday. I am excited about that. Then Sunday is an adoption and I will come home on Monday and Lanes little brother Isaac will come home with me.

Not much else today. Tomorrow we will get back to living. This was a lay around day. The kids all got too much sun yesterday so today was an in the house laid back day.

Remember: Some people make the world brighter just by being in it. Mary Dawson Hughes

Sunday

Five of our grandchildren having fun in the pool. They are left to right - Ryan who is 12 with his eyes closed. Coreen is l7 but enjoyed playing with the little kids all day. Lane is back a ways. He is 10, almost 11. If you read my daughter my daughters Blog, Life With Boys, he is her Buggy boy. Sheya is 7 and has no front teeth. Seth is next. He doesn't look like it but his hair is red and kinky curly. He hates it, I love it. They have had so much fun but the Granny is tuckered.Today, Bob and I drove over to the Idaho border to read a brand on a mustang gelding. We read it but I am not sure it is an Oregon brand. Its not just right and I think he is old. 21 at least. They can't sell him until they get a title or get it changed. Bob will call Angie in Wenatchee who is in charge of the Mustang Program in Washington tomorrow when he has a break at work.

It was too bloody hot to do anything much outside. The kids lived in the pool. I think they are all sunburned some and I kept sunscreen on them.

Remember: The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness. Anonymous

Saturday

This is what happens when you try to trim Amelias back feet, she just flopped onto the ground and laid there. Katie sat on her neck but she did not try to get up. Don't know what caused her to do that. It was startling. Raven did that the first time Bob trimmed her hind feet too. Its kind of hysterical really.

We decided today to see if you could ride Amelia. She obviously had not been ridden in a while but neck reined awesome and gave to leg cues. Katie said she never really touched her mouth. She does not like the cinch however. She spun her head and would have taken a hunk out of Katie if she had not moved. She only rode her in the round pen about 5 minutes. Then we had the episode with the feet and then put her back into her pasture. Bless her heart.

It was really hot today but thank God for a cool house. I am not complaining however. Can't stay out in it too long but I don't mind really if I dont have to do anything strenuous outside.

Got my first cup of raspberries today. I am going to eat them on my cereal in the morning. I can't think of any fruit I like any better than raspberries.

We have 5 grandchildren here tonight. They are out in the pool at them moment or jumping on the trampoline. I will have to round them up shortly. That group of cousins love each other so much and it makes me so happy.

Remember: Kindness is Christianity with its working clothes on. Anonymous

Wooooooooooohooooooooooooo pictures

The ugly porch is not so ugly. Just a little to do to finish it outside and the inside the. Its not so gross looking now.

Now just the white arount the top. Whatever it is called. The house doesn't even resemble out house. I am so pleased with it. Makes me want to leap for joy.

Amelia contented in her own little pasture shared with two billy goats that belong to a friend. They are eating the weeds. She is so happy over there with lots to eat. She still looks a little thin but is gaining and filling out.

She looks a little bored with me taking her picture. She gets her Senior feed every day and thought I was bringing it to her.

Her ribs are still visible but not sticking out. Doesn't she have a pretty mane. Dr. Doolittle, she loves you.

Today was a rather eventful day. It started off awful. First, I went out on the four wheeler to get the horses in. I usually leave the gate open and the horses have always gone to water first so I just can zip out and close the gate. Not this morning, they saw an open gate and they all went straight for it and out they were. I was so glad Steve was here working on the back of the house. Igot a couple in and he sent the others my way and I got them in. Ditto as usual when you yell at her she heads for her stall and hides in the corner. I got her and put her in. Guess I won't do that again.

THEN I went to check on the fish that I bought yesterday and put into the cow tank. The ground was wet with dew. I leaned over to look into the tank and whack, the electric fence got me on the top of the head and knocked me off my feet. I twisted my foot when I went down. I hate that. I assume the fish are fine. I have taken all day to get my wits really about me. A blast to the top of ones head is not fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

However, later I went into town and had my yearly eye exam and I don't have to have glasses. Just over the counter readers. Yeah. Haveing the cataracts removed and the implants put into my eyes was one of the best decisions I have made.

Remember: It is far better to forgive and forget than to resent and remember. Anonymous

July 16

No pictures today but I PROMISE tomorrow. I have not got them all in order yet. I got it figured out with the help of my patient sister Sharon. She walked me thru step by step by step. I can do it now. Thank you so much sweet one.

I went to the pet store today and tried to get Skeeter something that will keep him from pulling so hard on the leash. I got talked into an expensive harness that did not work. I am taking it back tomorrow. I know what I need but they did not have one small enough for a toy poodle. I will go to another store tomorrow. I also went to Walmart and got a card reader and it worked. Also got several things I needed like deoderant ect. It all seems to run out out at once. Tomorrow I will have an eye exam. I may have to go back to some glasses. I hope not but readers from WM seems to not be working right.

Bob is still unloading hay. He got 10 tons on Wednesday. He got the first load unloaded but he is working today and tomorrow and he is too tired to do much at a time. That will be our hay for the winter. I think we have about 18 tons. Some in round bales which I hate, some large square bales and some regular bales.

We got a trampoline for the kids. Bob will bring it home tomorrow evening. Hope none of them hurt themselves on it.

Remember: We are made to persist. That is how we find out who we are. Tobias Wolff.

Wednesday

I am getting closer. I got one of my camera cards of pictures on the computer. However, I can't get them into the correct folders or anywhere else except where they are. I am going to get a card reader tomorrow when I go into town. Sharon told me to get one and our friend Bernie did too so that is on my agenda tomorrow.

This evening we went to a potluck party to say goodby to Bernie and Sherri Lionberger. They are moving from Couer d'Alene to Helena, Montana. I absolutely hate saying goodby to friends. I know this is their dream but I wanted them to stay in the vicinity. They have been good friends and good riding partners too. They have encouraged me to go places I would not have gone and let me know they were glad I tried. It seems so many of our friends have left the country or died. I guess that happens when you hit the 70's. Can't say I like it much though. Life will continue though.

When we pulled into the driveway this evening about 9 , we got greeted by Yuma's song. It is quite funny. It like he is saying welcome home folks, I am still here.I am not sure he has forgiven me for body clipping him and taking him to a horse show. LOL. He did good tool.

Remember: The language of friendship is not words, but meanings. Henry David Thoreau

Have a great Thursday.

Thankful Tuesday

Today I am thankful for my new computer. I can get things I have never been able to do, still with our antiquated dial up. I would certainly do something different if I could. Just can't afford it. BUT, I am thankful for my beautiful new computer with everything on it except the ability to get pictures. I had a 15" monitor, big and clumsy and this monitor is a 20" slim line. Love it. I don't have to put my nose practically on the screen to see it. So you see, I am very thankful for this lovely new computer that does things I did not think possible.

Sharon, I have a card reader on the tower. And I have the device you mentioned. Just will need to find it. I put it away carefully but where that is, I can't remember. You need to get well so you can come help me.

I saw nearly a miracle today with Rusty. Our grandson Lane is with us for a few weeks and he was standing by her fence. She came right up to him and put her nose on him hand. I thought he would come unglued because he does not seem to be a horse lover but I told him to stand still. He reached up his other hand and rubbed her forehead. I could not believe it. That is the very first time she has ever let anyone that isn't Bob touch her willingly. And without a halter or rope on her. Lane is quite proud of himself.

Remember: When friends ask, there is no tomorrow. An Old Proverb

Be a friend to someone today or any day. I could not live without them

Thankful Tuesday

Monday July 13th.

Still have no pictures. It is all tied up with my printer and I could not get it connected. I need a disc. Jim is going to make me one and I will go out and get it. I can look at them but can't get them to go anywhere. So for now its just words. Sorry.

We found out today that Amelia had ear mites. We treated them and she just let us. Bob also trimmed her front feet last Thursday evening. She had such long toes he could not take her clear back. When he took off the worst and rasped them they bled so he just left them the way they were for now. He will do it about 2 weeks from now again. She is so happy. Thank you Dr. Doolittle for giving her an opportunity to have a good life.

Today when it was raining so hard we looked out and the horses were all out just eating and ignoring it. All but Ditto. She was under cover. Shes no dummy. The grass would still be there when the rain quit.

Everything is off the old computer and on to this new one except the printer. Vista looks so different from XP. I am getting it though. Thats OK. I am thrilled to have a new one. I wish I was more computer literate. Oh well, I know more than alot of 71 year olds.

Remember: A friend is one who pushes you in the swing, pulls you up the ladder, pats you on the back and hugs you goodby.
Katherine N. Davis

Sunday

We had a great campout with kids, grandkids and great grandkids. It was really hot but not over bearing. I have a ton of pictures but can't get them here yet. Jim is coming tomorrow. I hope we can get things going here.

I did have a wonderful time with family but I really messed up. We were supposed to be in Longview this weekend to a mustang adoption. I wanted to be there so bad. I wrote the wrong weekend down on my calendar. I feel really stupid and very sad that we missed something so important to us.

Our two little great grandaughters kept us all entertained. Lilianna is 2 and Arawyn is 3. Both are really characters. Their Papa took them both fishing this morning. LOL. He was braver than me.

Remember - The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.
Thomas Jefferson

Have warm thoughts and have a marvelous Monday.

Wednesday

After alot of discussion...............Lane and I are going down to Banks Lake this afternoon when Bob gets home. He will drive the trailer down and set it up and then come back to work tomorrow and will come Friday AM. Lane and I are getting the trailer loaded. I am sure he and I will have a good time down there.

One of the things I put in the frig is stuff for salad. All out of our garden except the tomatoes. . In 2 more weeks I will have bunches of tomatoes. And more lettuce. I need to plant more radishes and lettuce so by the time we use whats there now, we will have more.

I put the horses off pasture late this morning. They are getting funny. I start the four wheeler and they come in. All I have to do is close the gate. If I don't take the four wheeler though, we are in for a chase. Ditto and Liberty lately have been the last ones to come. They seem to think they need one more bites.

I will be gone until Sunday evening. Remember: True friendship foresees the needs of others rather than proclaims its own. Andre' Maurois

Have a good week.

Thankful Tuesday

Again, same ole same ole -

Today I am most thankful for the love of books and reading. I think I enjoy just about any kind of book. I usually have 2 or three going at different places in the house. At the moment I have a history of the Ococho area of Oregon. It is like reading a history book but am enjoying the series. There are 4 books in the series and I am about half way through the second book. I also just finished a book by Susan Richards. Her first book was Chosen by a Horse. Her memoirs. It is kind of a tear jerker in parts but an enjoyable read. Her second book is Chosen by Life. Its about how writing the first book liberated her. I also just finished recently a book called Born to Ride. It is by a vet here in Washington. An easy read and liked it. Her name is Dr. Leslie Cunningham. Then I have snuck in a Debbie Macomber book and a Danielle Steele book. I keep a book in my purse so I have something to read if I get stuck sitting some place. I think my Aunty Lou got me started reading from the day I knew how. I can not remember not reading. Aunty Lou whose name really was Mary Louise but always Aunty Lou to me. She was severely diabetic and never married so she poured out to her 3 nieces of which I am the oldest.

I went to town today and finished Nikki's birthday present, got Isaac's, both of which are late, but they should know me by now. They always get there eventually. I also went to the used book store and got a months worth of reading. Lane was so patient and a good sport about tagging along with me.

Bonnie came to work with Cody today. We took his halter and drag rope off. We can walk up to him. Bob can and that is a miracle really. He no longer shakes when Bob reaches out to touch him. Now maybe we can start to work with him a little too although Bonnie saddles him and lunges him and long lined him today. We just have to overcome the fear that accosted him with that trainer.

Remember: Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself
Eleanor Roosevelt

Have a mistake free Wednesday.

Monday

I thought for sure I had the picture thing solved but no such luck. It still does not work. So another day with none.

Lane is here. He and I went grocery shopping this evening. We were out of alot of stuff. Have not used the trailer since March. It doubles as our guest cottage.

We certainly needed the rain that we got last night. If it thundered I slept thru it. It seems to be clearing up this evening. A little cooler day was not bad. Everything was so wet this morning that Steve did not stay and work on the house. That is OK. No pounding on the house when I am trying to sleep. He comes a little after 6 and starts. He is on the other end of the house so it won't be too bad.

Remember: No one is rich enough to do without a neighbor.
An old Danish proverb

Sunday

I didn't write yesterday and still no pictures. Have found where to put the card from my camera but don't understand the rest of it. We had great fun yesterday. Two of our children - Christyn and Tom along with their families came out. We had a wonderful day. We bbq'd, watched the kids play in the pool (aka a large round stock tank), looked at the critters and sat in the shade. Had the best talks with the kids and laughed until I thought I would pop. It was a great day. They were going to go watch the fireworks but Bob and I stayed home. No fireworks allowed in Spokane County and there is a huge fine if caught. However, our neighbors used to do it anyway and I did not want to take a chance.

Today was a very nice day. Still hot but thats OK its July and it is supposed to be. Our church has been building a new building and today was our first service in the new building. It was awesome. It is not quite as large as I thought it would be but for the time being instead of 2 services there will be just one. That is nice because we saw people we had not seen for a long time and it was great. I did not amble down the childrens wing but am sure it is wonderful too. We have a flag pole and a flag that was dedicated after the service. That was very moving. We had about one minute of rain and it felt good and then it was just hot again. It was a very special day for us at the Turning Point Open Bible Church.

Bob was going to trim Amelia's feet today but it was too hot so we took a long nap this afternoon. He will do it tomorrow. Then we have a pasture to put her in with alot of green grass. I will do her final worming tomorrow and we will giver her her final round of shots and then she can come out of isolation. She has probably gained close to 200 pounds since being here. She is a sweet old mare.

Tonight our grandson Lane is coming to visit for 2 or three weeks. He is such a kick. If you read Nikki's blog - Life With Boys, he is the Buggy boy. Then Isaac will come for one week after Lane goes home. He is Monkey. He has never come and stayed by himself and we are looking foreward to it.

I have about 3/4 of my pictures reduced in size so we can get them off the old computer. Jim will come tomorrows. I am anxious for it to go somewhere else.

Remember: Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.
Sir James Barrie

Have a sunshine filled day.

Friday July 3rd.

Whew, I am getting things on to the new computer. Not everything yet, but its getting closer. I am working on getting all my pictures organized and reduced in size on the old computer. I am irritated with myself for not doing it in the first place.

I did not do much outside today. Said howdy to Amelia and Cody but that is about all. I worked in the house mostly. Got the potato salad for tomorrow put together except the mayo so I won't be doing so much first thing in the morning. Wish we had the patio all done but we don't.

Today we went into town and got the light fixtures for outside on both the front and the back. Shannon finished the electrical until the siding gets done. She will put the fixtures on when Steve is done. All he has left to do is the north end and the other half of the back side and to put the new door in. I am so thrilled with it.

Remember: The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.
Thomas Jefferson.

Have a sparkling Fourth tomorrow.

July 2

A new computer and I get befuddled. It is hooked up for me to use, sort of. We are having trouble getting stuff off so have both set up. This one is getting the essentials on it so I can use it. It has Vista instead of Windows XP and things are different. There won't be pictures until after Monday when Jim will be back. I am not connected to the printer and that is what reads my camera card. So, don't despair, I haven't gone anywhere.

The house is coming along and today the wiring is going in for the outside lights on the patio and the ugly porch which isn't so ugly anymore. I am so happy with how the house looks. Not like the same place at all.

Have not done anything with the horses this week except put them out on grass and back in. Yuma was so glad to get back out into the pasture.

I will try to keep up with this blog minus pictures. I just have to get stuff loaded on this computer and get the printer hooked up. Cross your fingers that it will work with Vista.

Remember: It is noit fair to ask of others what you are unwilling to do yourself.
Eleanor Roosevelt