Horses Bite in Cold Weather?

Yes! Who knew? After church today I dropped Kelsie off at the barn to do her new job, ride Blackjack. She called me a little later and told me he bit her on the shoulder! She didn't seem too upset, but I thought maybe I should go back to the barn and check the situation out. Marcie, her coach told me that in this weather (it was probably about 48 degrees, brrrr) the horses get mad and don't want to be ridden). Kelsie was putting the blanket and saddle on and he pinned his ears back and turned and bit her. And it wasn't on her shoulder, it was on her back. She turned when she saw him getting mad and she has a big splotch of red on her back. I am not sure how comfortable I am with this. So what happened next? I guess you have to teach the horse who is boss so she took him into the indoor ring and somehow made him work for 1/2 hour -- she didn't ride him, but somehow they make them run and work...to show them who is boss. Oh my -- this is my little girl we are talking about! Kelsie said it's good for her -- I am not so sure about that! Well, I guess I know now, though, why she is getting paid.

Play Ball! And, Kelsie Gets a Job

Last night, Cameron's baseball team, the Coal Mountain White Raiders (pictures to come) had their opening night. It was a very exciting game. Cam's team led most of the game, but the other team tied it and won it as time ran out; final score 5-4. Cam played 2nd base and you know what, these kids are hitting the ball hard and playing really serious. This is baseball.

Kelsie has a new job at the barn. One of the horse owners needs someone to ride his horse a couple of times per week -- for MONEY! So, Kelsie is the girl! She rode Blackjack Friday for the first time and then again today after school and before her lesson. She is very excited about it. I met the owner on Saturday and he told me to tell Kelsie to treat the horse like her own. Oh my, she was really excited about that!

March Madness!

And I am not only talking about college basketball. I do love college basketball. I used to follow it pretty closely, back in the day, probably before kids. I loved Duke (much to my mother-in-law's chagrin) and loved keeping an eye on them. Now, there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day, or the weekend. I see tonight that Mizzou eeked out a close one -- go Tigers! Of course, go Blue Devils too!

We had a March Madness weekend in other ways. The kids were out of school on Friday, their first "inclement weather day". In Forsyth County, they schedule 2 or 3 days in the spring to make up for any days missed because of bad weather (I am guessing ice) during the winter. Since we didn't use any, Friday was a day off. Cameron and I basically toted Kelsie to and from the barn and to a play that her church group went to Friday night. Cam and I managed to have lunch at Golden Coral (after visiting Dick's Sporting Goods) (can you say "mooooo" - buffet) and dinner take-out from Sal's. Saturday Cam and I spent Saturday morning/afternoon toting Kelsie to and from the barn (pictures to come and a big announcement about Kelsie) and then...

Vicky and Dori came through town on their way to Hilton Head for the week. So, we met them at Chick Fil A off of I-75. Spent about an hour and 1/2 with them, tried to stow away in their suitcases, then, moved about 1/4 mile down the road and met the Linn's at Fuddruckers as they were on their way back home from Florida. Let's just say it was an eating w/e. We were so happy to see our friends and they all made it safely to their destinations.

Today we went to church, then spent the afternoon hauling Kelsie to and from a bowling event with her church group....does anyone see a pattern here besides me?

Happy Birthday Shout Outs

March is a crazy month for birthdays. Happy Birthday to my mother-in-law tomorrow, St. Patrick's Day. I hope your day is very special!

I know I will forget someone if I start shouting out, but here it goes...I think I already shouted out Emily in Colorado and my friend Janet in New York. In addition, Christopher and Joseph in New York, Tommy in New York and Nicole in the Quad Cities. Anyone else???

Political Outrage

Once in awhile I run across something so bizarre and offensive politically that I have to post it. Now is one of those times. I am watching Fox News Sunday and cannot believe what I just read on the screen and heard discussed:

Interview between Chris Wallace & a White House Council of Economics Advisor

A New Era of Responsibility: The President's Budget, Page 5:

"While middle-class families have been playing by the rules, living up to their responsibilities as neighbors and citizens, those at the commanding heights of our economy have not."

"There's nothing wrong with making money, but there is something wrong when we allow the playing field to be tilted so far in the favor of so few."

Can you say "re-distribution of wealth"? "Socialism"?

Crazy Cousins

More Rare, Never Before Seen Footage

First things first: Pictures from Kelsie's Western horse show last weekend in South Carolina. Kelsie and I made the trip and we had a good time!











Next...my sister, Shayna, Madison & Cold arrived in ATL Thursday night. We're having a good time together. Today we had lunch with our friends the Linn's from STL who were on their way to Disney, then on to the Marietta square before heading north to the outlet mall. Don't blame me for fuzzy pictures below - they are a result of all of the dancing and singing going on back in the back (check Kenny's blog, he will probably post the action).











We made it to Marietta for lunch at Cracker Barrel!

We did have to wait a bit for a table for 12...but the kind young ladies below, set us up as soon as possible. Girls, if you read the blog, please leave me a comment so I know you saw it!!!! Small world, but the young lady on the right is from STL, off of Chambers near our first house in Bellefontaine.

Until next time....

What a Difference a Week Makes

My last post, remember? We had snow. Tonight, I want to put the air conditioner on...I'm not kidding. It is 84 degrees in the house. It hit (at least) 80 degrees today. It's crazy! This past weekend, Kelsie and I went to her horse show in Columbia, South Carolina. Every time I say that, it still seems so weird. I went to South Carolina for the weekend, like it's close by! It is! About 3 1/2 hours (without traffic -- note to self: do not leave the metro area at 4:45 on a Friday afternoon -- you'll be sitting in A LOT of traffic). Anyway, we had a good weekend. Kelsie placed 5th in her first ride and 2nd in her second ride, she really improved. I'll post a picture of her in her western get-up as soon as I can remember to bring the camera in.

Sunday, March 1st, Cumming, GA

It SNOWED! We could not believe it. But, there it was coming down in huge flakes, really heavy. If only I would have had my camera to take a picture of Cameron trying to sled. I heard on the radio this morning that some places got up to 5 inches, but nothing stuck at out house, the ground was too warm. There were a lot of school cancellations, but not in Forsyth county. It was my kind of snow -- it was beautiful to watch, but I didn't have to drive through it. I heard tonight that New York may have gotten 8 inches? I need a report from our family up there! Hope everyone is ok!