I'm Still Here!

I am still here! I promise! Life has just been super busy and I haven't had much computer time. I will try to do a better job of posting and visiting you all! I have been reading blogs, but just haven't been commenting. So here is a rundown of some of the things that have been going on in the last month and a half.

Flirt is doing well. I have just been doing ground work with her and I haven't really had time to do all the things I wanted to do with her before summer ends. I'd still like to get a saddle on her before that happens and that is coming soon, so I better get that goal accomplished!! Since she is only 2, I will not ride her until spring. She is growing and filling out nicely.

Miss Flirt looking pretty as always!

Chance has had her ups and downs. She is still a baby, so she has her baby moments. I took her to my sister's ranch for a Mustang event and she had a mental breakdown. She just needs to grow up and needs many more wet saddle blankets. I had to put her back in trailer loading school because she decided she didn't want to load in the horse trailer anymore. It still takes me about 10 minutes to get her in, but she is doing better. I think what happened is she doesn't like being up on the wall in the trailer. I had to start putting her in that stall because I needed to pick up a friends horse as well. After a few rides in that stall is when she started not wanting to get in the trailer. So I am now putting her in the middle stall until she figures out how to balance herself in the trailer.

Chance learning to accept scary umbrellas.

I have been having my best friend, who is the assistant trainer at the Arab farm I used to work for, come out and put a couple rides on Chance. I wanted her to help me with some things that are more her level of expertise. I wanted to make sure I didn't mess anything up too bad. She told me I did an excellent job so far with her. That was great to hear!!

Chance and I at the Mustang Rendezvous.

Rio is still a tough nut to crack. She has come a long way, but she just can't let go of the wild. She is having a hard time trusting completely. I have been spending a lot of time round penning and desensitizing her to ropes. Getting her over her rope fears has been quite challenging. She is still not halter broke and won't be until she can accept ropes. I have been able to rub a lead rope all over her neck, shoulder and even her face. I have even gotten the nose band of the halter over her nose, but that is as far as I can get. She panics and flees if I go to fast or if she starts to get uncomfortable. I can pet and brush her pretty much anywhere, but she still gets nervous about human touch. Once I start petting her, she usually relaxes, but one wrong or quick movement and she's says "No way, I'm outta here!" So I continue plugging away. She has so much potential and is probably the sweetest horse I have ever had. Sometimes wild ones can never tamed. I am hoping that is not the case with her.

My OH getting his Rio time in.

Cooper is still a trouble maker. I sometimes wonder if he will live to see his one year birthday.

Pooper Cooper.

He gets himself in so much trouble. He gets the buzzies and races up and down the house, running head first into tables and chairs.

Cooper trying to get on the ceiling.

He thinks he runs the household now. He is definitely the boss around here.

Looks like a good place to take a nap, I suppose.

One morning while my OH was in the shower, Cooper was in the bathroom window sill and he slipped and fell and got caught up in the double towel bar. He injured his leg and we had to rush him to the vet. Thank goodness nothing was broken. He just had soft tissue damage and had to be put on "stall" rest for a few days. That was not easy. Who would have thought that a cat in a large dog kennel could still get himself in trouble? Only Cooper. But he healed up quickly and was back to his crazy and clumsy ways.

Cooper on "stall" rest.

My chickens are pretty much all grown up now. Those cute baby chicks have become cute adult chickens.

Such big combs.

We are now getting about 9-10 eggs a day. We have already given cartons of eggs to our neighbor, friends and family. I am finding myself using a lot more eggs now then I ever did before. I love eggs, so that is not a problem. And believe it or not, farm fresh eggs are a million times better then store bought eggs!! I did the taste test challenge last week. Huge difference!

Eggs!! Lots of different sizes and shades!

I love taking goofy chicken pictures, although they are very difficult to photograph. They don't hold still!!

Well, HELLO there Rosie!!

It is now that time of year where we spend weekend mornings and most evenings at the river fishing.

My view yesterday morning while fishing. Beautiful sunrise!

We have had a lot of success fishing and have already completed one batch of smoked salmon. Love that stuff!!!

My fish and I.

I got my limit of 4 salmon by 8:00 a.m. yesterday, so I sat on the beach and waited for the guys to catch up. They never did. Yes, I still out fish the guys!

My view yesterday morning while I was waiting for the guys to limit out.

That is only a brief run down of the last month and a half. I will get into more details about certain events in future posts!