End of an Era

While I haven't been a fan of Michael Jackson for some time now, I did enjoy him when he was little. I think I even had an album or two of the Jackson 5. Some of his songs in the 80's were OK, but he just got a little to freaky for me.
I'm sure that there are millions of people out there that will miss him terribly. Especially his three children, who I pray will be able to be spared from the media and keep some normalcy in their lives. RIP Michael Jackson..........



Another celebrity that we lost this month was Farrah. Now I did love her. And it has pained me to see her struggle with this horrible cancer the last few years. I always hoped that by some miracle she would find a way to beat it, but in the end it took her life. I pray that her son Redmond finds his way in life and I pray for comfort for Ryan O'Neal



RIP Farrah

New in the neighborhood

We arent' sure just how he got here, but he has been a visitor on our street for about a week now. It's an good thing that he is fairly friendly. He even stopped grazing (sort of ) to pose for a few pics for me!



We think that he may have escaped from one of our neighbors down the street, but you'd think that after a week they would be looking for him ??



He has been a great source of entertainment, Danielle has his routine down. It seems he frequents different farms at different times of the day. Too funny !!!

Glam Day

So, Danielle and I deceided that we were in desperate need of a Glam Day !! So we drove out to our favorite stylist and got the works. We just love Carolyn. She does awesome work at affordable prices.




Turn around is fair play so I let Danielle snap one of me as well :)


And at last......

My July Forecast

An exciting astrological month begins with zany Uranus turning retrograde on July 1. When eccentric, independent Uranus turns retrograde, it's best to expect the unexpected. This planet symbolizes the need for change, and emphasizes the importance of flexibility in every aspect of your life.

On July 3, Mercury enters Cancer. For best results, put your logical mind in hibernation for now and speak from your heart. When Venus enters relationship-oriented Gemini on July 5, your desire for new experiences is strong. If you are single, this is a great transit for meeting a new love. In a relationship? Spice up you love life by doing something totally different from your ordinary routine.

A dramatic full Moon lunar eclipse occurs on July 7 and it's time to refocus your attention on your career and worldly concerns. Optimistic Jupiter and spiritual Neptune come together in a conjunction on July 10, and your idealism may open up brand new worlds. Then active Mars enters verbal Gemini on July 11, and everybody will be selling their ideas, projects and plans.

You will be assessing your most important relationships when Venus squares serious Saturn on July 21. And you feel extra protective of loved ones with the solar eclipse in emotional Cancer occurring the same day. The Sun enters limelight-loving Leo on July 22, and boldness replaces sensitivity. By July 26 when Venus trines Jupiter, you'll be more than ready to go out and play! As the month comes to an end, pay attention to your dreams and let them guide you as Mercury opposes the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction on July 30 and 31. Your imagination is in full bloom! Love planet Venus enters homebody Cancer on the 31st, encouraging you to hang out at home and give your mind a rest.


Wow! A dramatic full moon lunar eclipse on my Birthday !!!! What a great gift! I LOVE full moon nights!

High School Rodeo Finals

Danielle was in the top 15 at the NTHSR Finals last month; She and Mia had a phenomenal year. The finals were held in Fort Worth at the coliseum.





Pictured below are the top 15 finalists;



(I think a couple were missing)

Danielle and Mia were in the top 4 in the 1st go round but hit a barrel in the second go, so didn't make it to State this year! But they'll be back even stronger next year.

Father's Day

All Dan wanted to do on Father's Day was hang out with his best friend Jack;





Unfortunately, Dan's father's day gift was a new weed eater and the yard required him to put it to good use! He did a great job and at the end of the day he and Jack shared a much deserved beer!

Hopper Ranch Tuesday Nights

Another Tuesday night at the Hopper Ranch, this particular one just happened to be Danielle's Sweet 16 !! Merry Hopper brought out the birthday cupcakes so everyone could help Danielle celebrate her 16th B-day!







The birthday girl didn't spend much time off her horse so the only pics I got were on horseback.





Jack Hopper, owner and operator of Hopper Ranch along with his wife Miss Merry (not pictured)



Got a few good pics of Danielle's friend Kara, she boards her horse Judd at our place;

BBR Finals Photo Oklahoma City, OK

A Tribute to Bunny

We lost our beloved Bunny on Mother's Day. She had been part of our family for 11 years and will be dearly missed.

ADog's Purpose
(from a 6-year old).

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolf hound named Belker.The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer.I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure.They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him.Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'

Startled, we all turned to him.What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'The Six-year-oldcontinued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy..


Take naps..


Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

45 lessons life has taught me

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch .

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

The Holy Alphabet

For those who are fighting their own personal
battles....whatever it may be... NEVER GIVE UP!

The Holy Alphabet... This is Beautiful
Whoever came up with this one must have had some Divine
Guidance!




Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
X-alting God most high
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!



"I AM Too blessed to be stressed!"

May 4th 2009

It's been one month since my husband got the news that his company was moving him to Houston Texas. On May 4th 2009 the world as we knew it was turned completely upside down. It's been a roller coaster of emotions from anger to fear, uncertainty to hopefulness, and in the end compliance. As a family we decided that we did not want to relocate to Houston, with our teen age daughter going into her Sophomore year of school and all the other activities that we have become so used to here in North Texas, we decided that Danielle and I would stay here and Dan would stay in Houston during the week (hopefully returning on the weekends, but that is yet to be seen). To make ends meet having to households to fiance I have gone back into the grocery business working for Tom Thumb. It has been 16 years since I have had to do the old 9-5 or in this case 6am - 2pm with an occasional 10-6, 12-8, and 8-4.



Dan found on E-bay his new living accommodations and travel vehicle, a very well worn travel trailer that he drove to Florida to pick up and a 1997 Chevy Lumina that he flew to Ohio to get and then drove home. The travel trailer will be parked at a RV park somewhere in Houston and hopefully the Lumina has a few hundred thousand miles in it to get him back and forth.




Things are falling into place, and everyone is getting used to the new routine. We have a new maid, her name is "Daniella", she is pretty cheap, she works for room and board. It has been nice to come home to a clean house and she even cleaned my room and bathroom the other day. In addition to keeping up on the house she makes sue all the four legged critters are cared for too.

I'm hoping that once Danielle turns 16 she can get a part time job at the new Dennards or maybe Sonic, as cute as she is I'm sure she'd make a killing on tips.
With my schedule, working every weekend and holiday and my days off during the week, and Dan's schedule with weekends and holidays off, I'm hoping that we won't leave Danielle with too much free time on her hands (especially if she can get a part time job) I know first hand the dangers of teen age girls with too much time on their hands!



Dan called last night from his new office, a shared cubicle on the 13th floor of the metro building in downtown Houston, he said I may like it, the hustle and bustle of city life with restaurants and shopping only blocks away, but with my schedule I'm not sure when I will be able to make a trip down there to see it. They tell me that Tom Thumb (at least the one where I work) is even open Christmas Day.

Time will only tell how this will all play out, for now we will have to focus on the quality of time we have together instead of the quantity.