COGGINS TEST DONE

We went to Bobby's place at 8PM and worked with Terra.  It went pretty good actually, Bobby saddled her and longed her for awhile then gave the line to Meagan and she longed her awhile.  Terra caught on fast and while she gave a little resistance at first, she settled in and did well after awhile and it really is helping Meagan build confidence.   Meg then walked her three times around the pasture, unsaddled her and brushed her down.  Terra was sweating but not out of breath.  Then a vet, Kris Anderson, came out to the barn and did a Coggins test on both horses.  The cost was $105.00.  Man, these horses are costing me but I am relieved to have the Coggins out of the way as I knew I was going to have to have it.  Dr. Anderson was excellent with the horses and may have saved Bonnie's a**.  Bonnie, (bless her little heart)  has broken two lead ropes and a 4x4 post due to her fear of being tied.  Well, you can now add the side of a barn stall wall to that list.  We warned Bobby that Bonnie does not tie well and freaks out but he insisted and said to tie her to the wall anyways.  When we did, within 30 seconds she freaked out, backed up and took part of the wall with her.  It was still connected to her lead rope and following her as she was trying to back away from it.  Thank goodness she stopped when we 'whoa'd' her and she let us get it off her.  Bobby wanted to punish her by tying her to a tree right then and there and letting her flip out until she calmed but Dr. Anderson strongly advised against this saying they can kill themselves if they get upset enough.  Instead, she suggested using a special tie ring called an Equine Tie Ring which I have been trying to find in the local feed stores and haven't been able to find.  They had one there, tied Bonnie to it and she stood still for like 15 minutes.  The idea is not to punish but to teach that they'll be alright.  She told me later that Bobby tends to be 'heavy handed'.  We were a little nervous leaving last night as I was afraid they'd tie her after we were gone.  It's taken me about 4 months to get her to trust us as much as she does now.  I hate to see her mistreated and loose ground with her.  So, the rundown of what she told us about the horses is;
Terra:    Arabian/Quarter AKA Quararab, 7yrs old.
Bonnie:  Quarter/Thoroughbred, 5 yrs old
She said both horses are excellent horses with good personalities, just nervous.  She said she'd want Terra if she didn't already have too many horses now.

THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS

Finished this book in about three days but it could be done in a day.  Fast, easy reading and entertaining.  This is a fictional story about a nine year old German boy, born to a father who is a high ranking official in Hitler's regime.  He meets a nine year old Jewish boy along the fence line of the concentration camp where his father is assigned to work.  They become friends and continue to meet almost over the course of a year and his parents are not aware of this friendship.  The German boy however is pretty oblivious to what his father does and to what's going on on the 'other side of the fence' and with his friend.  A surprise ending wraps the book up well.  It's a good book, though sad, and I would definitely recommend reading it.  Interesting that the author came up with this little scenario.  A reminder of the horrors and sadness of the Holocaust.  Very good book, thought provoking-glad I read it.
Next on the list...The Sky Is Everywhere.

Daily Life-Tuesday

Bobby and Jolleyn called this morning and wanted to know if they could come get the horses today rather than tomorrow.  Of course we said yes and they brought their horse trailer over and loaded them up.  They loaded well, were very excitable, I was nervous but Bobby loaded them with no trouble.  Took them over to his house and turned them loose in the pasture.  Oh you should have seen them!  They ran and snorted and winnied, kicked up their heels, met the other horses and made quite a fuss!  They looked so beautiful, I wish I had pictures of them.  They did good with the other horses and Terra immediately hooked up with Leroy, the horse that Meagan took her first lesson on.  It was so good to see them with room to run and other horses to socialize with.  They seemed so happy!  It really made me think more about moving and boarding them there for long term.  Plus, there is room to ride there too with barrels and an arena and a washing stall and the stalls they stay in over night are nice too but mostly it's nice to have people on site who know what their doing so that when I go to ride I'll feel more confidant.

We got there about 6PM and unloaded the horses and Bobby told us to come back at 8:30PM for training.  We did and he got Terra and worked with her for about 45 minutes.  Poor Terra, she's used to being in charge and has no respect for people so when Bobby got a hold of her it must have been somewhat of a surprise.  She was completely ignoring him and prancing around and when Bobby began to lunged her, she kicked up in protest at first, then when that didn't work she tried to turn into him and threaten him but he didn't budge and after about 15 minutes she started doing really good.  Bobby just had to let her know who was in charge and Terra started to listen.  Hope I can do the same.  I'm learning by watching him though and it's good training for me and Meagan as well.  Good first lesson for Terra.

In other news, Shane went home today.  He wanted to stay here and work his job and go to school but he does not have his own transportation.  His parents have been supplying that and they refused to let him bring their vehicle here so he went back home.  All for the best I'm sure.

Travis still going to school and doing his homework but has been late and missed several psychology classes which is his first class at 9:30AM.  Seems to be trying to get back on track though.  I'm going to be really mad if he doesn't pass as those classes cost me about $500.00 including books.  I think he'll do good though.

Jacob-no problems as usual.  Playing Shogun via computer with Kyle, staying up all night and enjoying his lazy summer days and nights.

Need to get ready for reunion coming up this weekend.

Daily Life-Monday

Shortly after getting up today Kyle called and said that the battery in his car was bust and he needed a ride to the store to buy a new one so off I went to Fuqua in South Houston and we pulled the battery out of the car, brought it to an auto shop where they tested it, sure enough, dead, bought a new one for $100.00, went back tot he apartment and put the new one in.  He and Dena took me out to eat at Panchos and I was in heaven!  It was so good.  Thank you Kyle and Dena, made it well worth the trip.  Also got to see their cat Genesis who I had not seen in a long time.

Genisis

Such a pretty cat.

Meagan's first riding lesson was last evening and it went really well.  I was running late so my sister Reisa took her there and I met up with them a little later.  When I arrived, Meagan was on Leroy and Bobby had her doing several different things, riding right, then left, riding in figure eights, trotting, etc.  She looked so good up there.  Glad she's getting to learn.

Daily Life-Sunday

So, Bobby and Jolleyn came to meet our horses today and they seem quite optimistic.  They want to come and load them up on Wednesday to take them to their place to begin work with them.  They also said that instead of pasturing them they would let them each have their own stall and stay in the 6 acre area for the cost of pasturing instead.  Pasturing costs $80.00/month and stalling costs $180.00/month which includes feeding once a day.  How nice of them.  Meagan's first lesson ill be this evening at their place riding one of their horses, Leroy, who is very well trained.

Another issue I have to decide is whether I am going to stay here in the house we now rent or move.  The house we rent now is $1500.00/month which includes the barn in the back but the area for the horses is really small, maybe a quarter of an acre and they have already worn it down to dirt.  There is room to move the fence line out which will give the horses about half an acre.  Still not enough but a lot more.  And I want to start a garden in back also.  If Anne, the owner, will allow me to move the fence line than it will be worth $1500.00 a month to stay.  If she will not than I need to seriously consider moving to some place cheaper and boarding the horses.  It's just too much to pay for just the house and not enough pasture area.  After seeing the types of places where I could board the horses we could pay about $400.00 a month to board and move to a place that costs about $850.00-$950.00 a month which would still be less than we pay here now.  It's time to sign a new lease agreement so I'll be talking to her soon.

Kyle and Dena went home today.  Travis and I got into a big argument over his drinking too much and not staying on top of school like he needs to.  Jacob, as usual is giving me no problems.  Bought Meagan her first cowboy boots.  Need to get ready for family reunion coming up.

I started reading The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and it is really good.  A page turner.  I'll finish it soon.

Daily Life-Saturday

   Today we settled on a trainer.  His name is Bobby Hoke and he works with his friend Jolleyne.  They both barrel race and have for years.  They are 50 & 60 years young.  Very active and friendly.  The cost for lessons is $25.00/hr and the cost to pasture them is $80.00/month.  The pasture is 8 acres with good grazing grass.   But, they have given Meagan and I a deal we couldn't pass up.  Although I told them I could only afford lessons for one horse, Meagan's, they insisted that I bring both horses for the price of one so I can ride the other (Bonnie) while Bobby is working with Meagan & Terra.  They would like for us to bring the horses to their place and board them so they will be on site to work with them and Meagan.  Our horses really need more room than they have here with us and this will be a good change for them as they can stretch their legs and run and they will have other horses to socialize with.  This will do our horses much good, the longer I have horses the more I see how very social they are.  They need other horses like people need other people.  They are coming tomorrow to look at our horses.  I am excited to get something going and these people are more like friends that want to help then trainers who want to make money.  Once again, thank God for kind people.

In other news, Shane is still here with us, took Meagan and Rae skating in Alvin.  I skated too.  Bought a couple of new books to read; The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, referred to me by Meagan's friend Rae who read it and said it was good.  Told me a little about it and it intrigued me.  Fictional story about two nine year old boys, one a German and one a Jew who meet along a fence line during the Holocaust.  The Sky Is Everywhere, referred to me by my brother who read it and was adamant that I should too about a girl who's sister dies and Blogging For Dummies which I just saw while I was there and picked it up since I'm learning about blogging now!  Got the books at Borders Book Store near Bay Brook Mall which, much to my surprise is going out of business.  Also bought Meagan her first pair of cowboy boots, Justin's from Cavenders Western Store.  That was not an easy spend as they were $155.00 but, her new trainers said she needed them and the guy at the store said that for safety they should not be rubber bottomed to prevent her foot getting hung in the stirrup which made sense to me.  She loves them though and is wearing them everywhere.  She looks like a real cowgirl.  Lets hope we can make her one too.

Dena cooked a really good beef stew for us for dinner which we all enjoyed.  Hope they decide to go with us to the reunion.  I think we could all use a change of scenery. 

Daily Life-Friday

We have decided to get help with training our horses and to get riding lessons for Meagan.  We are novices and have not been able to train them or gain their respect and as a result we have been able to do less and less with them every day.  They know they have the upper hand, especially Terra.  I have been visiting trainers and boarders over the last week and price ranges for training is between $25.00/hr and $60.00/hr.  This includes working with Meagan and her horse (Terra).  We have to decide if we can get Terra manageable as she is very high spirited and doesn't listen to us.  If we can't then we need to trade her in for another horse, maybe a younger gilding, that Meagan is able to ride.  I love Terra but if we can't manage her than we can't ride her.  I thing she'd make a great horse for someone who knows how to handle her but we just don't have the experience.  Will decide soon who to use.

Kyle and Dena here for the weekend.

Daily Life-Thursday

So, today, the day after Travis' birthday, Travis and Jacob went to take Shane home (to his grandparent's house) and his grandparents got mad at him because Travis and Jacob were there at their house and ultimately evidently told Shane to pack his bags and get out.  I am sure they were also upset that Shane came here for Travis' birthday as they don't like for Shane to be here at all and always get upset when he comes here.  So Shane packed his bags and...showed up back at our house...to stay!  Oh well, that's the story I got anyways.  We'll see what happens.  I really like Shane and have had no trouble out of him but really don't need another kid to take care of.  Hopefully everyone will calm down and things will go back to normal.  We'll see.

UPDATE ON OUR HORSES

Hadn't posted anything about our horses in awhile and thought it was time to update.  Here are some pictures of them after we've had them about three months.  They gained weight nicely and while we are still working on being able to handle them better they are coming along well physically. 

Terra in March

Terra in June

Bonnie in March

Bonnie in June

Me riding Terra

Meagan riding Bonnie

They have their issues and it seems like it's going so slowly to get them easier to handle but we've decided we love them and we're going to keep trying.  Wish us luck!

Daily Life-Wednesday

Well, today was Travis' 18th birthday and we had a get together here this evening with his friends Shane and Josh and Josh's new girlfriend (don't remember her name) and of course, Jacob, Meagan and I.  My friend Carl also came over and he gave Travis a $50.00 gift certificate to Gus' Restaurant in Texas City which was really nice.  I gave him $75.00 to go shopping for new clothes with and he did a really good job and bought several nice shirts and a couple pairs of shorts which he really needed.  He got the PC game Total War: Shogun 2 Limited Edition from Jacob, Meagan and I.  It's a game that Kyle got for his birthday on the 10th of this month and now he and Travis can play online together.  Kyle and Dena came down and they gave him a Warhammer 40.000 book he had been asking for called Codex Imperial Guard.  That made him happy.    I cooked Chicken & Dumplings along with cornbread for everyone and we had cake and ice cream and a cookie cake for Travis which he asked for.  Good birthday all in all I think.

Daily Life-Tuesday

Went and cleaned a house with Lori this morning.  First house cleaning job I've ever done and it was a biggy.  House was extremely dirty.  We worked two hours together and made a big dent but didn't even finish one room.  Job would take weeks to do it all.  Made $30.00 each.  Went home and showered then Meagan and i brought lunch to Lori at her work from El Valle's Mexican restaurant which really hit the spot.  Good day over all I guess. 

DANI'S STORY

Finished this book yesterday and spent some time looking up the details on the internet which proved the book to be true to fact.  This was a real page turner and I had a hard time putting it down.  It is newly published so you don't see many (any) reviews about it yet or star ratings but I would imagine they will be good.  It's the story about a child removed from a house in 2005 in Florida that had been so severely neglected she couldn't talk, wasn't potty trained, drank from a bottle and weighed 49 pounds-at seven years old.  She was placed into foster care and then adopted by a family who  loved her and helped her tremendously.  The book is written by the adoptive mother with the help of a writer.  But it is definitely the mother's voice that comes through.  I liked her and the way she presented their story and found her description of events very unique.  She does not try to sensationalize Dani or herself as she could so easily have done.  She tells a heartfelt story and their love for Dani shines through above all else.  Dani's story is one that needed to be told.  I fell in love with her.  She would be about 12 or 13 years old now and I hope to be able to follow her progress as she grows.  Thanks to all the people out there who choose to adopt and make a difference.  God bless you all.  And a special prayer to all children who have not been rescued.  May you be found soon.  Really good book.

Daily Life-Monday

Finished reading Dani's Story: A Journey from Neglect to Love tonight.  See my book review on it if your interested.  Very good book, looking for a new one.  My brother Ricky told me about one that sounds really interesting called The Sky Is Everywhere so that will probably be my next one.

Daily Life-Sunday

Well today is Sunday so Kyle and Dena went home.  Kyle is doing his work outs with his new P90X: Tony Horton's 90-Day Extreme Home Fitness Workout DVD Program.  Tonight was yoga which surprised me because I didn't know they did that.  Kyle had a hard time with it but he's still sticking to it and doing pretty well on his diet plan as far as I can tell.  It looks like he's beginning to loose weight.  Dena has been doing it with him too.  We fixed steak on the grill and baked potatoes and corn on the cob for dinner which was good.  I enjoy the lazy days of summer so much.  Will be sorry to see them end.  Andi, our new puppy is looking better, putting on weight and plays a lot.  He seems smart and corrects easily.  Meagan is doing a good job with him.

Daily Life-Saturday

Jacob and I went and saw the new Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 today.  I liked it but I'm not a huge Harry Potter fan like Jacob is and he really liked it.  It was nice to do something just Jacob and I.  We don't get a chance to do that very often.  Kyle and Dena are here for the weekend again which is nice.  Still reading Dani's Story: A Journey from Neglect to Love, almost finished.  Good book.

Daily Life-Friday

     Changed my blog design today, can't seem to settle on one yet.  But am enjoying blogging more every day it seems.  Told Jacob I'd take him to see the new Harry Potter movie today but that didn't work out, maybe tomorrow.  Did take Meagan and her friend roller skating this evening and we had a really good time.  I skated with them and we were there about three hours.  I was the only adult skating for awhile then I saw four other adults skate later on so I didn't feel like such a loner.  I am reading a new book not called Dani's Story: A Journey from Neglect to Love which I am having a very hard time putting down.  Between that and this blog I'm not getting much done.  MUST GET OFF.

Daily Life-Thursday

Got the call from the doctors office early this morning.  They said Meagan has a "mild" scoliosis.  They want to keep an eye on her and x ray her again in 6 months.  On researching, most scoliosis has no known cause, especially if it is mild.  Some can be from trauma.  I have a strong suspicion that the very heavy backpacks Meagan would carry to school and had to tote throughout the day may have something to do with this.  For the last three years, as soon as school would start again, she'd begin complaining of back pain.  This year should be better as they are restricting the backpack sizes and need to carry so much.
     Also today, did a good workout of about an hour and a half today beginning with 30 minutes of Shaun T's HIP HOP ABS which was a good work out and I intend to do it again but I'm not really all that into Hip Hop dance, followed by 30 minutes of a Country Line Dance DVD which is kind of dorky but I like it anyways and finally 20 minutes of pilates using the 10 Minute Solution: Pilates for Beginners DVD which I liked more than I thought I would.  Hope to get back on a regular working out routine.
     Otherwise, went to Feed store, Home Depo, Petco, Subway, Grocery store and McDonalds today.  Did get some much needed rain today (yea) and my friend Lori came with us so that was nice. Oh yea, can't forget the rat Jacob discovered in the horse feed today when he reached in to scoop some up.  That was a surprise!  Glad it wasn't me, I'd have squealed like a girl I'm sure.

Daily Life-Wednesday

     Took Meagan to the doctor today to get her physical for school to play vollyball.  A couple of surprises.  One, her vision is 20/30 & 20/40 so we'll have  to have her eyes checked for glasses. She has complained that she thought she couldn't see the board that well at school and wanted glasses but she also just got a new friend who wore glasses and she thought they were really cool so I guessed she wanted glasses for that reason.  Guess I was wrong.  Surprise number two:  she had to get three shots.  One for meningitis, one for td and a hep C vaccination.  She took it well though, two in one arm and one in the other.  Third surprise:  doctor says she seems to have a slight curvature in her spine and sent her for an x-ray.  Results should be in tomorrow.
   Otherwise on the home front, Travis doing well in his first week of community college, Jacob came home early from a visit with his older brother Kyle which was nice to know he loves us.

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL

Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back

.  This book is an easy read and could be finished in one or two sittings.  I have mixed feelings after reading their story.  I liked the book but am not sure how convinced I am that the whole thing happened.  It's the story of a little boy, Colton, who is very sick and undergoes surgery.  He doesn't code or anything but he does have an 'after death' experience while under anesthesia.  I lean more towards believing that something did happen to him but think there is a lot of room for parental 'tweaking'.  (If it did happen, I owe an apology I know).  The story is told from the point of view of the father, Todd Burpo who is also a preacher.  While I love God and preachers I do think there is a tendency to 'add lib' in an effort to 'do God's work' and think it's OK so I tend to be skeptical on that end.  Not to be too harsh though, it was a good book, glad I read it, but remain not totally convinced.  I do however think that kids have more of a hot line to the other side than we do and we tend to loose it as we grow into adult hood so.......who knows?  Maybe, when Colton gets older, he may remember and tell more of the story himself.

THE WORST HARD TIME

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl
Finished reading this book by Timothy Egan.  I did not know at the time I started reading it but in 2006 this book won the Washington State Book Award and the National Book Award.  It was referred to me by my brother who read it and like it.  It turned out to be a really good book, one I will remember.  I learned more about the 1930's depression, politics of the times, agriculture and of course the dust storms which I had seen and heard about on TV but did not know the real reason for the dust storms and that there was actually a "Dust Bowl" area.  The story is non fiction and is told from the points of view of people who, instead of leaving the area when the drought began, stuck it out (which, by the way, I would not have done-I'd have been out of there.)  But the author interviewed several different people who stayed and lived through these 'hard times' and had first hand knowledge of surviving these extreme conditions.  The stories are told from a personal point of view so you come to feel their hardships and while I was reading I could actually feel the heat and dust and cold,  the hunger and discouragement.  It did get mildly redundant about half way through but that does not last long and I feel like I have learned a great deal because of reading it.  Would recommend it.

MARLEY & ME

Just watched the movie Marley and Me staring Jennifer Aniston  and Owen Wilson and what an awesome movie it was!  I wasn't that excited about it to begin with thinking it would be your typical kid show, funny but not too deep, but what a surprise it was.  I laughed and cried through most of the movie.  I now want to buy it to have it for keeps.  This movie is primarily about a big, rowdy, misbehaved dog that you are sure you would want to kill if you had him. But it also encompasses so much more.  You watch this young couple in love, played by Aniston and Wilson, grow into a family of six (including Marley).  These two make an excellent husband and wife team and you travel with them through the stages of their lives from getting married, landing jobs, deciding to have kids, pregnancies, children, moves, losses, joys and the very real struggles of marriage and family life and you feel their pain and their joy.   This movie is almost sure to make you laugh and cry and you will keep remembering it long after you watch it.  One of the best movies I've seen in a while. Loved it. Oh, and BTW, loved Jennifer Aniston's wardrobe too.

Kids Are Home

My kids are finally back after 30 days with their dad.  I missed them so much and the last three days were really hard.  They had a good time but were glad to be home.  Fells normal around here again.  Computer and video games going non stop, cooking and cleaning again non stop.  Hearing "hey mom" every time I turn around and seeing their smiling faces.  Ah, heaven.  Thank you God for my family.

Parvo Scare

Okay so we panicked a little.  Andi had blood in his stools and we recognized the  hallmark smell immediately from when our little dog Coal got Parvo and died from it.  It was a horrible death and I never want to go through it again.  Meagan was crying and yelled for me when she saw it.  So, because it was Saturday there were no vets open and we had to take him to an emergency clinic.  They were very good and saw him right away.  He weighed in today at 6.7 lbs which is a 3 ounce gain from Friday when we weighed him.  Vet said he did not need to be checked for Parvo as he was not showing the typical signs of it.  Beginning signs of Parvo are:

1.  They stop eating and look depressed
2.  They start throwing up
3.  They start having severe diarrhea
4.  They have bloody diarrhea.

Not blood in formed brown stools and not first.  So that was a relief.  And, it took me $93.00 for peace of mind.  But, I don't regret it.

Vaccinations

 Today we vaccinated Andi and wormed him at home.  Went to the local community veterinary clinic and got him some Comfortis  for flea control which is the only thing I have discovered so far that really works and I love it.  He weighed in at 6.4 lbs.  Gave him his first dose.  Also took him to PetSmart and bought him a couple of chew toys, some more food, medicine for his skin rash and a name tag.

Andi playing with new toy

Andi sporting his new collar and name tag.

New Name

Meagan's puppy has a new name; Andi which I think suits him well.

Our New Addition

First night home 

Today we added a new addition to our family, a little puppy.  We haven't given him a name yet.  He came from my sister's in-law's house and was one of four puppies left, three boys and a girl.  They looked sad to me, kenneled and hot, covered in fleas and we felt like we were rescuing him.  My daughter had wanted a puppy for a very long time, every since she lost her closest companion Jack, a chihuahua she had for three years.  Since then she found another puppy, a toy chihuahua we got from a feed store in town which died of parvo ten days after we got him.  So this puppy took a lot of decision making for her.  He is three and a half months old, father is a Jack Russell and mother is a Rat Terrier.  Both of them in pretty sad shape as well, chained to separate trees on about four foot long ropes.  Sad.  But after two days of grueling contemplation and repeat visits to the puppies and their parents, Meagan decided on this little guy.  He weighs about 5 pounds at best, is covered in fleas, skinny and his skin is in pretty bad shape.  As soon as he got to the house tonight she brought him straight to the bathtub and washed him twice using Dawn dishwashing soap to kill the fleas followed by Johnson's baby shampoo for more of the same and to help his skin.  She fed him and watered him and he seems to think he is in heaven.  Deciding on a name.  He seems very smart.