Easy Money Ranch

You may have heard the horrible story about Sherry Arnold. She is the 43 year old woman and high school math teacher in  Montana who went out running the morning of January 7th and never returned. It is believed that she was abducted and is murdered. Her body has not yet been found.

Since Sherry was a much respected and much loved teacher, as well as wife, mother, several teachers from Fillmore Central and across the nation are exercising in her honor this week. You do NOT have to be a runner to do this. Whatever form of exercise you do, OR even if you don't exercise regularly or at all, even if you go for a short walk, that is perfectly fine.  As long as you are "Running For Sherry".  

At the bottom of the blog I pasted the bib in rememberance of Sherry. All you need to do is print it off, pin it to the front of your shirt, and do your exercise. The virtual day will be tomorrow, February 11, 2012.

Sherry's story really struck a chord with me as I am also from a small town, enjoy running outside on quiet country roads and am a teacher at our high school.  I never even considered the dangers other than the red wing blackbirds that sometimes threaten to divebomb me.  In fact, when my dad mentioned that it was dangerous, I kind of laughed the idea off.  What happened to Sherry definitely makes a person think twice.  

Our thoughts continue to go out to Sherry and her family.  You can bet that tomorrow I will be "Running For Sherry", even though it is usually an "off" day for me.  When a cause is worth it, you go for it.  

Courage.  Strength.  Grace

Pinterest.  That is what it is called and it is my latest addiction.  I totally did not get it for the longest time, but you wait - this is going to catch on like wildfire.  Do you bookmark your favorite pages to go back to later?  I have a better idea - PIN it!!  Sign up for Pinterest and start browsing the pins people have already pinned.  Then "repin" them to your board.  I have categories of pins for recipes (Mountain Dew cupcakes, yeah - I think so!) and humor (Who doesn't need a laugh break?), pins for the kiddos (games, crafts, etc...), storage and organization ideas that make my completely A personality shiver with delight and many many more. 

You don't have to just browse existing pins.  Just last night I was searching for links to DIY (do it yourself) dog agility obstacles and instead of bookmarking the ideas I found, I pinned them.  Now others can share my great finds and I can check out my bulletin board any time to find what I was looking for.  You click on the pinned image and it takes you right to the website. 

Seriously  - check it out!

www.pinterest.com.

Having daughters isn’t easy. There is just so much drama. I am sure with boys there are a whole host of different problems. With girls it is all about the drama. I feel so badly for Shannon. Poor guy. Just think, at some point in the future (coming closer all the time) he is going to live with 3 women all going through PMS at the same time. shudder

The drama is already starting. Just last weekend Libby and I had our first good argument. I didn’t get a door slammed in my face, but there was some stomping up stairs and some locking ourselves in our bedroom. Sigh. Here we go. Hang on little one, it is going to be a bumpy ride. Please know that through it all I LOVE you. No matter how mad we get at each other.

I thought I had more time with you as my sweet little girl, but you are growing up so fast. Too fast. That is a very scary thing. Some day when you are a parent you will understand the shear terror in watching your daughter grow into a young lady and the panic you feel that your daughter isn’t ready for the challenges and decisions ahead. Add to that the memories that come flooding back about your own teen years and it takes all my self control not to lock you in the house and protect you from the hurt and troubles headed your way.

A good friend reminded me that I should be thankful she is strong willed and independent. That her strength will protect her in the future. I’m thankful, really I am and I will keep reminding me of that every time we butt heads.  I will remember when she critiques me that she is just helping me, not beign a sassy little s***.   I will remember next time she deeply sighs when I make a suggestion that she is just expressing her opinion, not being an ungrateful little s***.  I will remember next time she refuses to follow the rules that she is just making a statement about her choices, not a disrespectful little s***.  I will remember that she is just like me and therefore MUST be an amazing young woman going through a tough time.  

I just hope that the next time we have a fight we are better by the next day again like this last one. I hate fighting with her!

Okay, so you guys know that I excercise by running nearly every day.  I like to think I am kind of fit.  I'm not eating like I should, and I sure as heck am not putting hte effort into Biggest Loser like I did last year.  I'm really awful about it actually.  One of these days I am going to have to kick it in the pants and get back on My Fitness Pal.  It is the only thing that really shows me how crappy I am eating.  Otherwise I rationalize WAY too much.

Okay, so I got off track.  So anyway - I'm fit, right?  HA!  Not!  With Ella being boarded at Solberg Quarter Horses so that Libby can ride, that means that I get to ride Dan's horses again.  He is so generous to share his horses with us.  Some of them are the nicest quarter horses I have ever had the pleasure of sitting on.  I missed my chance last summer, but this year I finally got to ride this one, Silver Blue Hotrodder:

All 16+ hands of her.  She is awesome.  When you get her going in an extended trot and the wind starts flying by, wooot!  What a rush.  Nothing quite like that.  If she isn't sold and we click, I might even get to show her down the road.  The nicest thing about her is that she is only 5 and was started later.  She is built to last, hasn't been rushed and has an amazing disposition.   After I rode her last night, Libby hopped on and she walk/trotted around with her like they had been riding together forever.  They didn't lope since she was in my saddle, but I know she would have been a total gem.  Maybe Libby will get to show her in the 13 and under?  That would be too cute!

So anyway, I've been hopping on Silver Blue and yesterday I finally remembered to bring my English saddle.  Today I am walking a little funny.  Holy smokes do my butt and inner thighs every hurt.  Ouch!  For dumb and for out of shape am I!  A whole new set of muscles is getting a work out now.  I look like, well, we won't say what I look like.    Time to get back in the saddle and get back in shape!

While I hope that Dan sells her quickly for his sake, I am really going to miss seeing Blue around the barn once she is sold.  She is HUGE, but sweet.  A real gentle giant.  Someone is going to be very lucky to end up with Blue in the barn. 

Our two aussies couldn't be more different, even though they are related.  This is probably one of those things though that is like when people say, "I can't believe they are siblings." or "They are nothing alike!"  Gunner and Annies have somethings in common.  They both love to run and herd and chase as any good Aussie does.  They both love cuddling with their people and are complete love bugs.  They are both incredibly intelligent and adorable.  But then you have some differences.

Gunner is our older aussie.  He was born last spring.  He is a mini aussie and he is extremely intelligent.  He does best when he has a job and is being trained.  He can learn anything in about two lessons.  Can't go wrong with Gunner.  While he loves to play, he is getting better all the time at "sit and stay".  For example, today I wanted to take some pictures of him.  He was trying to come running to me and I said, "Sit!" and pointed at him.  He sat.

This look is so Gunner.  Total, "What?  Did you need something, lady?"  And then he got bored with sittting and posing.

The look says it all.  So I let him off the hook and called Annie over.  Which led to all hell breaking loose.

Annie always wins. Because, despite the fact that she is littler by far, she is a bully.  She is all about the win.  If there are two bones in the house.  She will get one, growl at any dog that passes and dares to think about even looking at her bone and then go get the other and horde them both.  Yes, that is the way Annie is.  See what I mean?

Even when she isn't attacking her friends and family, her furry little eyebrows still give her a slightly evil look.  But I think if you asked Annie she would just explain that she is surveying her kingdom.

Because, like all Queens - she is royal.  I did not mean to interrupt her nap.  But today I busted her on my bed, sleeping on my pillow.  I believe her look clearly states, "I am the Queen, I will sleep here and if you don't like it, get another bed!"

Website is not cooperating tonight. I'm praying that this short blog goes through.  I've tried a couple of times and am about ready to give up.  Don't want to go back on my challenge, but I am getting frustrated!

It's been a busy night.  First we loaded Ella up and dropped her off at Solberg Quarter Horses.  We found her stall thanks to the cute little sign saying, "This stall is reserved for Ella Enchanted and Liberty Onsager", with a funny little pony sitting on it.  We had a good laugh, Dan!  Thanks!  We unloaded Ella, lunged her (with a strange horse in the arena) and Libby saddled her up and hopped on.  Her first day in a strange barn with strange horses and Libby loped her pony for the first time.  She is so dang quiet.  Only problem with this pony is that she is lazy.  Of course she is out of shape too  - I'm sure she will be plenty energetic when she doesn't get tired just loping a few circles.  Very proud of both our girls!

After dropping off Ella we had the middle school spelling bee.  Libby did very well - made it all the way to round 3!  Darn jubilant anyway.  Who uses the word jubilant anyway?  LOL 

Off to bed.  Fingers crossed this goes okay.  Pushing publish ......now!

Nope, not for my daughter.  Remember when sports used to be for fun?  Not these days, it is all about the big win.  I've told Libby that she can do whatever she wants.  She can go out for volleyball, basketball, track, softball, you name it.  We'll support her in whatever she chooses to do.  But she was relieved, as was were we, to hear that many of her "idols", her "mentors" at the high school were not active in JO volleyball and/or the young  basketball programs.  They concentrated on their grades and their success in academic, not athletic, programs. 

I'm not going to take away from the importance of extra-curricular activities.  But so far, I have to admit, I am so thankful that my daughter is happy with horse showing and band.  Libby is already thinking ahead.  She wants to know what she can be active in next year that will help her with her college aspirations.  She wants to know if she "has" to do sports.  Ummmm.. no.  You don't HAVE to do sports unless you want to.  There are tons of activities to be involved in that are not related to sports.  She has plans to be in tapestry (a select singing group), jazz band, regular choir and band, FFA, SADD, newspaper and, would like to try out for knowledge bowl. 

The reason she doesn't want to be in athletics?  Drama.  She comes by it honestly.  Her mother is competitive to a fault.  Her dad is definitely an athlete and competitive.  But neither one of us want her involved in a middle school activity where winning is everything.  Where all members don't get to play.  Where there is a "top" team and a "bottom" team.  At 5th and 6th grade (heck even 7th and 8th), it shouldn't be all about winning.  It should be about skill building, TEAM building and participation.   How did we lose track of that?

Lord almighty, in 7th grade I was completely awful at basketball.  I played.  In 8th grade I was completely awful in basketball.  I played.  I quit after that as I knew it wasn't for me and I didn't want to ride the bench for the next 4 years.  But I had the opportunity to see if I liked it or had potential.  These days, if you aren't in the 5th and 6th grade programs and winning, you don't have a dream of playing in later years.  This family is not in the market for that. 

You could argue that we should recognize the committment and level of intensity it takes to win since we horse show.  You're right, we do.  But my daughters don't have to worry about their "team" mates belittling them in the hallway and/or ridiculing them on the court.  They give it their all and if the judge decides they didn't quite cut it, they pick themselves up by their bootstraps and try again the next day.  Their "team" mates are their ponies and their ponies ALWAYS love them.  As long as the girls bring their hay, their ponies will never give them one spiteful glare. 

It isn't easy to teach young girls.  I know, I've been there.  It is one part coaching, one part team building and 2 parts parenting with every group of girls.  But it isn't just the coach's responsibility to say "enough is enough", it is the parents.  It is the parents' responsibility to let their child know that it isn't all about winning, it is about making memories with your team.  That even though a team member isn't bringing home the baskets (or the kills) it is more important that everyone gets to play.  It is the parents' responsibility to let their child know that since it comes more naturally to them, they can help their team mates by guiding them instead of belittling them.  When did winning in an athletic event become more important than a child's feelings?  Take a step back, look at your competitive edge and ask yourself, "Is it worth it? Is my daughter winning that game, worth that little girl feeling like she is a lesser human being?  Is my daugher going to be the next Misty May or WNBA all star?  Or should I be telling my daughter to concentrate on her ACADEMICS and not athletics as that is what is going to pay the bills in her future."  Something to think about.  Something to question.  Something to ask yourself.

So what have I been up to?

Work.  Well, yeah - that's no surprise.  Chores, yup - still have chores and always and forever.  Some people would, heck, have said to me that we should get rid of some of our animals and I wouldn't have as many chores.  If only they knew that chores and the animals that come with them are what keep me sane.  Something about the work in the barn, the smell of animals, their gentle breathing, their welcoming nicker (or  their - feed me nicker)  wash away the day's worries and troubles and keep me on an even keel. 

so what else? I have been on a push to get some of my graphics projects done.  I seriously have mental block most of the time and then all of a sudden something clicks.  After 15 or so drafts later, I am usually half satisfied.  I was really excited when my friend, Laura, asked me to do her ad for the SEMSCA book.  She even had an idea of how she wanted it to look.  I love getting a little guidance to kick me off.  I'm so happy with how it turned out.

I also have been working on one for the WI POAC and the MN POAC.  Those aren't done yet and sometimes I think my brain took a permanent vacation with those projects.  I did get ours done for the SEMSCA book and we bought a page in the spring edition of the MN POA newsletter.   Two drafts, first one for SEMSCA.

And then one for the newsletter:

What else?  Oh yeah - writing.  I'm going to try to write a few more of my stories again!  Stories for the little ones.  Stories for kids who love ponies and horses.  I even have an amazing artist lined up as an illustrator and maybe together we can get one published.  It has been a lifelong dream and it is kind of fun to think about it even just a little bit.  Want to read the one I wrote for Libby years ago?  Comment on the blog and if I get over 15 comments (from 15 DIFFERNT people) I will post it.  Let's see who's reading out there!

Today's blog is in honor of a very fun young lady.  She is a total sweetheart and I am wearing her boots today.  Keeley - you got me to wear skinny jeans, you deserve a medal or a hero's cape or something!   I've talked Keeley into a few pairs of skinny jeans and after the last pair she ordered a pair of boots at an amazing price.  She was disappointed when they arrived and were too large.  It all worked out in the end because they fit me and I was able to buy them from her.  Of course that meant I had to get my own pair of skinny jeans which I said I would NEVER do.  Wow, talk about out of my comfort zone.  But I did it!  Libby says they look great and she is my fashion police so I will take her word for it!  

This blog isn't about boots and jeans though, it is about cupcakes.  Keeley has another talent.  She is an amazing baker.  On Monday she made all of the teachers these awesome chocolate chip and peppermind cookies.  Yummy.  Her real talent lies in her cupcakes.  She makes the most amazing cupcakes from scratch.  All different flavors.  I love the vanilla ones and the red velvet.  But the oreo are good and so are the German chocolate and the... oh heck!  They are all awesome!  

Not only do they taste amazing, she has a real knack for presentation too.  Check out these that she made for us before Christmas break.

Good enough to eat right!?  I told her we should start a bakery together.  I'll make the pies and she can make um.... pretty much everything else!  I think Keeley's Kreations would be an awesome name.  Nothing like a little dreambuilding to keep the days moving forward!

Right now the Gods of Winter have been appeased.  We were all bragging about how beautiful it was and they decided to show us how well they can really blow.  After that blast and all of our complaining and frozeness, they were appeased.  And now all of you beach bunnies are going to ruin it! 

I have a favor to ask.  For all of my friends (and apparently everyone under the sun is going or has been) that are going to or are coming back from the Tropics, whether it be the Bahamas, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, the Dominican, Jamaica or wherever else I have missed, please do NOT comment on the weather.  Do not feel the need to complain that it is "so cold back here in Minnesota".  We get that it is colder here than the TROPICS.  Really we do.  But it is decent right now, nice even.  It is liveable.  This is, after all, Minnesota.  It was cold when you were gone, it is nice now.  And if we complain too much about how cold is, then the Gods of Winter will again feel the need to remind us what winter really is all about. 

Feeling chilled?  Put on a sweatshirt, open a bottle of Malibu and look at your vacation pictures.  You'll be warmer before even half of the bottle is gone.  I guarantee.