Jun. 1, 2009 - Summer Reading List 2009

We do not have many plans for this summer. Money is kind of tight so although camping trips are longed for, they may not be had.

So, preparing myself for a summer at home, I've come up with my own plans. I would love to get my novel done this summer so I'll be working on that, but I've also got a reading list. Made up mostly by my sister Eyebright who never fails to answer when asked what books should be read.

So, I thought I would share my list with you. I have already read Lord of the Rings, and Chronicles of Narnia, but it's been awhile and I always like to read them, so I figured why not.

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May. 28, 2009 - Bad Brahmer Bull

I found this at Eyebright's blog and thought it looked like fun!

1. Put your iTunes on shuffle.

2. For each question, press the Next button for your answer.

3. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly!

 4. Put any comments in brackets after the song name.
__________________________________________________________________________

If someone says, "Is this okay?" You say? - "Return" (Indiana Jones sound track)

How would you describe yourself? - Shes in Love with the Boy (Trisha Yearwood) [um... no]

How do you feel today? - The Devil Went Down to Georgia (Charlie Daniels) [I actually felt pretty good today!]

What is your life's purpose? - The River (Garth Brooks)

What is your motto?- Unanswered Prayers (Garth Brooks) [Ok... little weird]

 What do your friends think of you? - Don't Ever Sell Your Saddle (Randy Travis) [My sister tells me this one fits, what do you think. ]

 What do you think of your parents? - Don't Take the Girl (Tim McGraw)

What do you think about very often? - Good Ride Cowboy (Garth Brooks)

What do you think of your best friend? - Rodeo (Garth Brooks)

What is your life story? - Main Title from "Star Wars" (Grover Washington)

 What do you want to be when you grow up? - A Girl Worth Fighting For (Mulan Soundtrack) [Oh yeah!]

What will you dance to at your wedding? A Quiet Night in the Country (Terri and Chad Sigafus)

What will they play at your funeral? - Amarillo Sky (Jason Aldean)

What is your hobby/interest? - Are you Washed in the Blood (Alan Jackson)

What is your biggest fear? - Arlington (Trace Adkins) [I've afraid to die! Just kidding]

What is your biggest secret? Baby Moses (Terri and Chad Sigafus) [OK, for everyone's sake, I don't have any secret babies!]

What do you think of your friends? - Back in the Bible Days (Terri and Chad Sigafus)

What will you post this as? - Bad Brahmer Bull (The Booher Brothers)


Please feel free do it!

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Apr. 22, 2009 - What are Sisters For?

To stay up till all hours of the night, laughing till tears stream down your face because your so tired anything she says you find funny.

Then the next morning when you try to tell the rest of the family what was so funny last night, you find it really was not funny at all, and you begin to realize how silly you were...

Then your sister who kept you up to begin with is there and reminding you about chores, school, and everything else that needs done even though your eyes are heavy and you feel you can't keep them open a minute longer....

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Apr. 13, 2009 - It's All Mine!

Ever since Eyebright got a laptop for graduation I have put dibs on Mum's laptop. It was commonly known in our house that when Mum gets a new one, the old one goes to me.

So the day before Easter when she received a new one, I was pretty pleased.

Sure enough on Easter day I was handed a laptop, more specifically my laptop.

It's old, and big. It has a few problems, the F10 key is missing and some of the letters on the keys are worn off, but it's mine. My own.

Being my very first laptop, I'm overjoyed. I will probably disappear into a world of electronics and my friends online will know me better then the ones not. My brain will slowly turn to mush as I stare for hours on end at a computer screen. 

Don't worry, I'm still looking for a barn to take hunter/jumper lessons at, and how could I just sit at the computer when the world of Spring is calling. At least it was a few days ago, it was snowing again today.

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Mar. 6, 2009 - Cowboys Herding Cats Video

Even if cat's may be more dangerous, it is my opinion they are not as picturesque as cattle. Watch the video to understand what I'm talking about.  

Be sure to pause my playlist at the bottom of the page.

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Feb. 28, 2009 - I Am Thankful For...

Fuzzy sweaters, fuzzy socks, furry cats, chocolate covered cherries, and a good book!

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Feb. 17, 2009 - Valentines Day Pictures

Don't panic, I only have two pictures to show you from my Valentines Day.

We had a wonderful party with our family. Fun is one word I would use to describe it.

This is the table after it was all decorated and ready to go.

A close up.
The bags had candy in them.

We don't normally celebrate Valentines Day that much, so this year was a little different for us. 

In closing I would just like to say I am very tired of this,

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Feb. 11, 2009 - I Know, I Know, I Cheated Right?

Why is it every time I win, according to who ever I was playing with, I cheated.

If I play Yahtzee with my Grandma and win, I am informed that I cheated.

If I play Clue with Kekoa and I win, I am informed that I cheated.

If I take a multiplication test and do better then the other two siblings who took it, (I admit I am rather proud of this) I am informed that I cheated!

Why are all my victories so bittersweet.

P. S. For those of you who may be unsure, all of this accusing and name calling was all playful banter. My family does not really believe I cheated.

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Feb. 3, 2009 - Cabin Fever

That's right. I've got a really bad case too.

While staring out my Grandparent's window the other day I decided that I was ready for summer. I want the grass to be green so  I can play badminton and croquet again.

I want it to be so hot down where I live so that I can go up into the mountains on a long trail ride and cool off.

I don't want to see anymore snow, or mud.

Okay, now that I've complained a little bit,

I was tagged by Anna93, it looked kind of fun so here I go.

Describe yourself using the initials of your first and middle names.

Born again

Lively

Unique

Engaging

~

Joyful

Amusing

Nutty

Equine lover

I shall be tagging,

Narniagirl
Ashley
and SmaryJones

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Jan. 20, 2009 - Christmas is Over... Time to Start Planning for Next Year!

Well, our family's Christmas celebrations are finally over.

Last Sunday we had Christmas with my Dad's side of the family. Starting with a very yummy breakfast, then with the urging of the younger children we were quickly finding places to open presents.

The rest of the day was spent hanging out with my cousins, aunt, uncles, and grandparents.

Getting home late I fell into bed and was quickly asleep.

Since then I have been doing school, reading, and making jewelry. For Christmas Eyebright got me a very neat bead carousel full of beads, and I just finally got around to using it. 

The first time I followed the instructions it came with, and everything went great until I had to put the clasp on the end of the necklace. While I was struggling with the "crimp bead" the other end got loose and beads were all over the carpet.

I took a break.

A little while later I once again brought the beads out, and this time constructed a necklace my way. It worked beautifully. I decided I wanted to make earring to match and the ones I had instructions for I thought were ugly so I once again did it my way.

I thought they both turned out very nicely. I'm still not sure if the earrings are to big for my liking, or not. We shall see.

I may make more today if I have time. Now that I know how to do it I believe it should be much easier.

I hope so at least.

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Jan. 15, 2009 - My Reading Time has Doubled

                       I've traveled the world twice over, 
                                           Met the famous; saints and sinners, 
                                          Poets and artists, kings and queens, 
                                              Old stars and hopeful beginners, 
                                           I've been where no-one's been before, 
                                         Learned secrets from writers and cooks 
                                                  All with one library card 
                                           To the wonderful world of books. 
                                                      ~ Anonymous ~

I've been reading about the crusades for school. Putting a ton of books at the library on hold, and reading a whole bunch at the same time.

Today Mum looked at my stack of books beside the computer.

"How many books are you reading right now anyway?"

Here's the list.

One for pleasure: Jack Black and the Ship of Thieves.

One for school: The Crusades

One for a type of devotions thing: The Sword, The Ring, And The Parchment, book one of The Terrestria Chronicles

One Read Aloud With the Family: The Ruins of Gorlan, book of of Rangers Apprentice

One to Listen to on my MP3 Player: The Bronze Bow

Then of course the book I am always reading: The Bible

I have a huge stack of library books calling to me, wanting me to read them as well. Mum just left for town and she will come back with several more books that I had on hold.

I've got this strange feeling that I've been reading a lot. 

Ah, now I think I'm ready for a rousing game of MarioKart. Maybe Yoshi and I will beat that brat of a Peach this time.

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Jan. 12, 2009 - A Day to Remember...

The two enemies settled for the same bed without killing each other for it.

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Jan. 9, 2009 - One Long Day After Another

Nine hours away from home + aching feet and knees + half empty gas tank  = One big shopping trip.

My Grammy called the other day and said she wanted to go shopping with Mum, Eyebright and I. So at eleven o'clock yesterday morning we headed off into the great well known to pick her up and head for the stores.

It was a long day as you can probably tell from my little equation above, but we all had a lot of fun. I wound up coming home with a new skirt, (Mum and Eyebright each got the same skirt so now we will match) an adorable recipe box, and matching recipe cards.

New skirts + new camera + old, but still pretty boots = one photo shoot.

I'm not sure how long it took us, but I think we both had fun, and Eyebright got some great pictures. I'm sure she will be posting some some on her blog fairly soon.

I would love to continue this post, but I have a pile of books as tall as the Eiffel Tower that I need to get read before they are once again due at the library.

So if you need me, I'll be at my house, reading a book.

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Jan. 2, 2009 - Goals for 2009

I'm not really sure how I feel about 2009. Several things have happened that have made me dread it, on the other hand, I can't wait to get started! I'm not as scared as I was about a month ago though. I've learned to trust in God. Such a wonderful feeling.

Now, I am not going to use the word resolutions because I don't really like that word, (don't ask why) but I do have some goals for this year.

1. Learn a new event on horse back. Maybe dressage, although I've really been thinking I would like to learn more about reining.

2. Finish the novel I am working on. I had hoped to have it done by now, but things got SO busy. It looks like it might take me a little longer then planned.

3. Have my children's book be accepted by a publisher, or at least to give it my best shot!

4. To watch my temper. Something I've been having trouble with.  

5. To keep a better journal. You can read one entry dated 3/16/08 and then move to the next one written on 7/3/08.

6. Not to spend as much time on the computer.

7. To improve the relationship I have with my brothers, it has been lacking for far to long.

8. To learn to play guitar, or at least start to learn.

9. To grow closer to God, and glorify Him in everything I do.

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Jan. 1, 2009 - Celebrations Galore!

I've had a great Christmas so far.

Like every year my family and I traveled to my Aunt and Uncle's house for Christmas day and stayed with them for almost a week. We had a great time.

I was really glad to see Eyebright, and have her come home with us. That's right folks, the long lost sister is back. For a short time at least.

While at my Uncle's house I was asked if I got anything cool for Christmas by a distant relative.
I informed him that as yet I had not opened any gifts from my parents so I was not sure yet.

"So your stretching Christmas out through the week?"

After I told him I would not be having Christmas with my Grandparents till mid January, and I had no idea when I was having Christmas with my Grammy his statement changed to.

"Oh! So your stretching Christmas out for a month!"

We opened gifts from Mum and Daddy the night we got home. I myself got an I-dog. I know it's rather silly, but I've been wanting one for a while, and it's really cute!

I also unwrapped a beautiful, soft, green scarf. It looks great with the sweat shirt my "riding partner" gave me.

To Ride, Or Not To Ride? What a Stupid Question

A saying I've been told fits me well.

The second to last present was for all of us kids, and after ripping the paper open with zeal we discovered a Wii!

You can just imagine the excitement.

New Years Eve we once again stuck with tradition... almost anyway. We took a spur of the moment trip over the mountains and through the woods to a strange Best Buy store to get Eyebright a new camera. Our Best Buy didn't have the right one.

The good thing about this was that Mum and Daddy got her old camera and I got the family's old camera. It worked out for everyone.

We got home in time to play the Wii for a little while and set up our New Years table of treats. The list goes as follows.

Chocolate Covered Cherries, milk and dark

Blondie Fudge, with walnuts

and Sparkling Cider

On some years orange sticks could be added, but this year they celebrated at another table.

With three cameras going, we got plenty of pictures.

The normal would be to watch the ball drop on t.v, but we no longer have our satellite and don't get the channel. I was not to bothered by the fact.

This year Daddy watched the clock on his computer (we had to be sure it was accurate) then rushed to the table counting down the seconds from ten.

It was fun to hear the neighbors fireworks as we sipped cider and nibbled fudge.

Us children then stumbled off to bed, with the music from the Wii drifting to our bedrooms from the living room.

Daddy was up for awhile last night trying to figure out how to cast his fishing pole.

Our next celebration will be tonight with my Grammy. She is finally ready for Christmas, so she is making us a big dinner and we will be exchanging gifts.

I know it's hard to believe, but this post was much longer the first time. I was almost done when the computer froze up and I had to shut down the computer. After banging my head on the desk, I wrote it again. You lucky readers.

I leave you with the one Christmasy picture I took that I am willing to share with you, at least until tomorrow.

Remember the reason for the season my friends, and have a very wonderful 2009!

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Dec. 22, 2008 - The Sad Tail of an Uncrafty Person

The snow is falling, my hands are freezing, and the paper cut from wrapping gifts is smarting. Christmas must be just around the corner.

My family and I decided to go the creative route this year, and try to make more handmade gifts. However the one creative person in our family not being here, things have been just a little difficult.

It all started with the pillow cases. Mum said lets make pillow cases for this group of people. It will be really easy, I've got a simply pattern.

My Mum and I can not sew, I reminder her of this fact, and she continued to remind me it would be easy. I reminded her Eyebright was not here to rescue us if things should go wrong. She said everything would be easy.
I told her Eyebright was not here to simply do it. She said it would be easy.

The other day as we stood in the fabric store staring at all the many cottons, polyesters, silks, and velvets, my Mum decided we would not make pillow cases.

Yes, that's how uncrafty we are.

As if that was not enough and didn't warn us away we started on a memory game for some of the younger children we know. A home made one with pictures of family to pair up.

In the end the cards looked great, however Mum could have bought a game for how much it cost her. Whoever said homemade gifts were cheaper I would like to know?
As if that's not bad enough, one of the cards is now missing. We are very afraid it has fallen somewhere into the snow, and if it has we may have to wait till it all melts before we find it.

I was then silly enough to decide and make bookmarks for a friend of mine. Hours on Photoshop, and many yards of used laminate later (I didn't know I was laminating nothing. The whole machine was put together wrong!) The bookmarks turned out, I am hoping years of keeping a place in a book will flatten them. They don't look as professional curved like that.

End of story right? Wrong.

I wanted to make stationary to go with the book marks. Another hour on Photoshop, that ended with satisfaction until the paper came out of the printer. I can't stand pixels. They are always to big, and not enough of them. It all looked fine on Photoshop!

So anyway, I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

I hope your preparations went better then mine.

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Dec. 18, 2008 - The Satisfaction in Reading that Last Page.

Let me tell you something.

Do not stay up till midnight to finish a really good book because you know it will not take you that long to get it done.

It's not worth it if all the rest of the next day you are going to fall asleep anytime you sit still for longer then five minutes, if you are going to feel like your head is going to blow up and  a strange buzzing will haunt your ears.

Stop at a reasonable time, close the book, go to sleep, and pick it up again in the morning. Don't let the book draw you in and hold you hostage till you get to the last word on the last page.

Anyway, if you need me I'll be at my house, trying to remember how many times I've told myself this before.

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Dec. 17, 2008 - A Pair of Jeans That Fit Just Right

I've been needing a new pair of jeans for awhile. After all, riding wears some pretty big holes in some pretty embarrassing places, and some of my jeans were really needing some help. 

So when my Mom said we were going to Big R, I got down on my knees to plead and beg. We went to go look, and after trying on a pair, I walked out of the store triumphant.

I always get excited about getting new clothes, but for some reason, I get even more excited about new blue jeans.

I love the smell, and the feel, the color of that new pair.

Ahhh, life is good.

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Nov. 26, 2008 - 101 Facts About Me. Facts 1-50

I got this idea from Jocelyn, Vintagegirl, and Maggie. Thank you girls!

Anyway I enjoyed reading 101 and one facts about them, and thought I might share the same amount of facts about me. I also added a few pictures. Some of me, some of not me. Don't get excited, my face remains mysteriously hidden.  

So here goes.

1. I love pajamas. Especially ones with Eeyore on them.

2. I ride in an Australian saddle.

3. I really, really, want to go to Australia, Snowy River country mostly.

4. My favorite movie is The Man From Snowy River.

5. I can think up boys names better then I can girls names.

6. I like most boy names better then most girl names.

7. Some of my favorite names are Tristyn, James (Jim), Luke, Taliea, and Jane.

8. My favorite smell is the smell of leather.

9. I love to curl up under the covers of my bed with a good book while it's raining.

10. I've been told I rip movies apart. For me it's not just a matter of did I like the movie. I look at how well the acting is, why this character did that, and that character did this. I like to go online and read interesting facts about the movie and actors... the list goes on.

11. I can not stand Kiere Knightly, Orlando Bloom, Zach Effron or, Hannah Montanna.

12. Some of my favorite actors/actress: Bing Crosby, Danny Kay, Harrison Ford, Nicholas Cage, Viggo Mortensen, Johnny Depp, Judy Dench, Julie Andrews, and...

13. I love old animated Disney movies, like Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Robin Hood. Yes that's the one with the fox as Robin Hood.

14. I can not stand The Little Mermaid.

15. When both my brother and sister  were asked what made them laugh they replied, "Bluejane."

16. When I write my characters come to life... they do for me anyway.

17. At sometime in my life I've wanted to be an archaeologist, and actress, a movie producer/writer, a horse rancher, and a horse trainer.

18. Right now I would like to be a horse trainer, and a hippothereripist, and yes I would like to get married and have a family some day.

19. People with Australian accents fascinate me.

20. I've always wanted an Australian accent.

21. I can do good impressions for some people/things.

22. I can never decide what my favorite book is.

23. I've never fallen off a horse, I keep being told I will, and I'm waiting for it.

24. I prefer to write fantasy, it's so much easier because I can be in my own little world and have anything happen. I don't just have to stick to facts.

25. I enjoy reading fantasy and historical fiction.

26. I look more like Diana in Anne of Green Gables, but act more like Anne. Eyebright is the opposite.

27. My best friend is Eyebright.

28. Before I started blogging I couldn't stand blogs.

29. Green is my thing.

30. I don't do pink.

31. If you ask me what football team I like, I'll either look at you blankly and ask what football is, or I'll say "GAG!" Depending on who you are.

32. When I say I like an actor it does not mean I think he is "just SO cute!" It does not even mean I think he is good looking. What I "like" is his acting.

33. I've been waiting for almost 2 years now to ask a nerdy looking water/waitress for a diet  water.

34. I'm much weirder after you get to know me. Ask my family.

35. I didn't learn to read  till I was in third grade.

36. A month later I was reading The Hobbit.

37. I use my dreams as inspiration for my writings.

38. I've never really enjoyed stories about little animal. Redwall, Rascal, and Mr. Tweety never made it to my favorite books list.

39. Avatars are my newest craze. I love the little things.

40. When I pull out a book at the library to take a better look at it, and it has something I really do NOT approve of, I make a face while putting it back, and then feel as if I need to wash my hands.

41. I was born in the middle of the night.

42. It was a full moon.

43. I was almost named Laura.

44. I don't really like the name Laura.

45. My Dad got the idea for my "real" name from the lady at the drive in window at Arby's.

46. When I was 3 I wrote a letter in gibberish then told my Mom, "I made a mistake."

47. My favorite stuffed animal is named bear. He is a bear.

48. I've had him since I was 1.

49. On my birth announcement there was a picture of a rocking horse.

50. If someone is going to be mean to me, I would much rather they punch me in the face then say something not nice about me.

Look for facts 51-100 in the near future.

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Nov. 20, 2008 - Clean, Glorious Clean (sung to the tune of Food Glorious Food)

Oh, the satisfaction of having a clean room. After living in a pigsty for a month I finally decided to clean my room. It really was not that bad, just a few things laying about, a few beds needed to be made (we have a bunk bed) and a good vacuum.

So I walked into my room waved my little magic wand, closed my eyes, and said,

"bibbity bobbity boo."

When I opened my eyes, you wouldn't believe it!

Everything was still there. I guess next time I should try praying instead.

So I set to work and two hours later I walked out feeling like I had accomplished something. 

I always know I did a good job, when one of my parents walks into the room and says

"Wooooow."

Really long, slow, and drawn out while turning in a circle to see everything.

Let me tell you, one of the best things in the world, is a job well done.

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