Stephanie Russel 1990-2009 I lost a dear friend and loved one today - I will be gone for a bit. I lost my friend Stephanie - whom I have featured on this blog. She was the one I took pictures of last summer ( see post called "What's in a Cowgirl") - she was the sweetest, nicest , most beautiful kid in the world with so much going for her (recently she won a couple of scholarships to pay her way through school) I am just so freaking heartbroken..... She went on vacation with her boyfriend

Friday, June 26, 2009 We are packing up to head out to the River for the 4th. I have taken 2 days off work and combined it with the 3rd - which we have off for a 5-day mini vacation. At my work if you don't use it, you loose it, so I am going to use it all by the first of August - when my vacation resets itself. I am so excited to head out to the River for some camping and fun in the sun - the weather is supposed to be outstanding for once (or at least that is what they are saying now) and the

We get visits from all kinds of creatures at our place. I never get tired of this picture - this is the sun coming up off my back deck. My little black cap (I have no idea what this bird is only that he likes to hang out at my feeder) Same bird. My Quail - we like having them around in the yard but will still hunt themin the fall. There is more than enough to hunt. A ton of them died thislast winter in the deep snow - people quit feeding them and they couldn't get away from predators. Roper is

Saturday, June 20, 2009 This is what it's all about - County Living at It's Best! Acouple of weeks ago Hubby and I headed up to a lake back behind ourhouse. When the weather was really hot - we worked our butts off all day getting house work done and then when we finished up, we threw our gear in the boat, hooked up to the truck and took off for the lake. It's called Horse Shoe Lake - of course because of it's shape. It's also a"no-wake lake", so you can't run your

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 So there are some people interested in Stretch - who have actually hadmore than one conversation with me! I'm excited! They sound like excellent homes with knowledgeable horse people. One person is local -who would use my trainer. One is really far away but really has the best interest of Stretch in mind, after a couple of conversations with her I am judging her to be a very honest, nice, lady. Buying a horse from a distance is always tough so I sympathize with her. Onefamily

Earlier this spring I won Oregon Sunshine’s book drawing. And so I was soooo excited when I got this in the mail just before I left for my Nashville so I could read it while I was traveling. The book I picked was The God of Animals by Aryn Kyle. I just love getting these packages in the mail. I love the cover. I was familiar with Aryn Kyle as she was featured in “The Best Of American Short Stories 2007” I sometimes pick up those “Best of Books” as there can be some really good stuff in them. She

Thursday, June 4, 2009 Ok I’m really tired today and crabby – cause I am tired I am sure. Theheat up here lately has been amazing. It’s been in the high 80’s forthe past 3 weeks. That is really unseasonable for the weather up here. Usually our Eastern Washington weather is like this: (You see, isn’t Eastern Washington Cool!? Not. Go tell everyone you know not to move here unless they have a show shovel fetish.) Early to Late October (depends) = Winter – freezing temps, some snow, rain. November

Tuesday, June 2, 2009 First before I start this post Iwould like say that it is not a “negative” post on AQHA. This ridingfault is common through out the world of stock horses, so APHA, and ApHC judges, exhibitors, and trainers are just as guilty. Also I want to mention that this is my opinion based on showing in the breed circuit for 11 years, showing horses for 24 years and owning and riding horses for a lifetime. I am not a trainer, nor a judge – I have been schooled in English/Dressage style

Wednesday, May 27, 2009 Camping and Visiting My Boys ! We camped way up in the Mountains behind my parents place, somewhere around 4000 ft. Home Sweet Home. Camping Buddies - they've missed me ( I am usually at a horse show ). Thisis Chubs - Husky/Chow mix, way better suited for a cold climate - buthe enjoys camping anyways. He is Roper and Kaiser's pal. Chubs belongsto my Hubby's best friend. Thereis a small pond up there which Roper just loved. It is creek waterthough (so it's snow

Thursday, May 21, 2009 I swear sometimes my horse life feels like one long string of bad decisions. When was young and stupid (allow me to be more specific - more stupid than I am now) and already into the Quarter Horse Show game I sold a really cool broke show gelding that was winning consistently with me and decided to purchase a weanling – the thought behind this error was 1) I was going to get married this coming summer and knew that I wouldn’t be able to afford to show much or find the time