Wow, it is already November 2nd.  It has been a month since I posted last.  Life keeps on moving and so much has happened.  Let me recap for memory's sake, I am doing stained glass on Monday nights with two friends, Laurel and Rebecca.  They come to my place and we work on projects from 5 - 10 pm.  It feels good to get back into being productive and creative.  I love the company and hopefully I'll get some Christmas presents made.  Laurel owns a French restaurant in town and is a Chef from The Cordon Bleu School in France.    Rebecca runs a store in town called Utopia on Main that has lots of beautiful things for the home.  They are fun and creative.  I have met so many people this month.  Crystal Davis at church, invited me to join her and 8 friends for lunch.  Carol LaRue attends my church and is good friends with Laurel.  I can tell we are going to be good friends.

I went to Atlanta last week for a visit with my dear friend, Rhonda.  I hadn't seen her in 1 1/2 years and it was so good to catch up.  I slept better than I have slept in years.  I felt so safe and comfortable.  Rhonda has the gift of mercy and hospitality.  It flows out of her and is a blessing to everyone around her.  She has such style and grace.  I always come away blessed after being in her presence.  We talk about so many things - relationships, starting new businesses, candles, dreams, hurts, etc. but it all comes back to God and his plans for us.  I have no doubt he put her in my life as a gift.

Hunters are here!  This is opening weekend and I saw a Huge buck they shot this morning.  This changes life at camp.  I have to limit my coming and going to certain hours.  No horseback riding on trails unless I get approval first.  I love the improvements they have done for the hunters.  New electric deer proof gate will be finished this week and a cell phone tower will be installed soon so I have cell service.  Yeah, I'll be connected to the world.  There is always good and bad with change.  The thing I have learned is to stay flexible and adapt.  It makes life so much smoother.

I got a new horse trailer with living quarters.  I can't wait to take it on the next trail ride.  I will be competing with Indira in early December.  I sold my horse trailer.  I am delivering it today to a ranch near Bandera. /I'll drive on over to Kerrville and vote early since Tuesday is a big hunting group and I'll need to stay here.  I think I'll go see the movie Argo while I'm in town.  I've heard it is good.  Tomorrow is the Art Fair in Utopia so I plan on checking that out.  Maybe next year I will have something to sell.  I'd like to start some kind of side business to make a little extra.

It is a beautiful day outside today.  I love this Texas weather.  Sunny and just right.  It is hard to stay inside and clean or do paperwork.  I love that my job duties are watering the flowers, taking care of the  garden and riding horses.  All outside stuff!

Have a great weekend everyone. This is November - Be thankful!  Everyday I am going to be thankful for something and post it on Facebook.

The Garden

These are before and after pictures of the garden.  I can't take all the credit for all that work.  I had lots of help from Antonio and his workers.  It has been many years since I have dug in the dirt.  It is hard work. I pulled up morning glory vines that were as thick as ropes.  I was dripping in sweat and the stack of vines was taller than I was. Sometimes we have to do some painful pulling before the seeds can be planted for new life.  Sounds like an analogy to life doesn't it?

I planted spinach, lettuce, carrots, broccoli and more to come.  Mom has bought some plants too so I'll plant those next week. There is something wonderful about planting in the garden.  We look forward with expectation to the signs of life and then the produce.  My friend Lori says we all need three things, someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to.

This month I will be flying to Atlanta to see my dear friend Rhonda.  I haven't seen her in over a year and I am looking forward to spending time with her.  She is a friend that I have no doubt God sent into my life at the appointed time. We walked together and talked of being grateful and thankful for the many blessings in our lives. We kept each other encouraged to trust His never-ending love for us. I am so blessed to have so many Godly friends in my life that are loving and wise.  God has loved me as they have poured out of their hearts into mine.

Now that I am settling into this little community called Utopia I am seeing opportunities to pour into others.  I want to plant and pour the hope that God gave me back into others.  I heard Beth Moore say that we should see that bad circumstance in our life as a way to show the devil that it was one of the greatest changes for God in our lives.   He is certainly making the opportunities for that to happen by placing people in my path.

I will continue to work in the garden and I'll post more pictures.  It is rewarding to see the little plants coming up.  We have no control over that growth but we get to enjoy the bounty.  How good is that?    

Happy Sunday

It has been a wonderful weekend.  It started with a steady rain that filled the Sabinal River that flows at our entrance.  I love the sound of rain on the tin roof.  It is like the world is at peace.  I really can't imagine a prettier place to be than sitting on the porch of the barn at Lonehollow.

Blake drove over Friday night and we cooked one of his favorite foods - fried okra.  We watched a funny movie on my laptop with his Netflix account. It was so good to curl up on the couch and just have some "Blake time".

Saturday it stopped raining and stayed nice and cool so we took a hike at Lost Maples State Park.  We hiked 5 miles up some steep trails.  It was good to enjoy the beauty of the creeks, ponds, ferns, and shady trails.  We walked and talked and worked up an appetite.  Of course that meant some pie from the Lost Maples Cafe and then a nap.  We had a wonderful 5 course meal at The Laurel Tree that evening.

The rain started falling again and has kept at it all day today.  We had dinner on the grounds at church today.  It is held in the large fellowship hall so we stayed dry.  I sat at a table with some people I had never met.  I met a lady that loves to garden and talked to her about what I need to do with the garden here at Lonehollow. It is overtaken with weeds so I need to get busy pulling weeds when it stops raining.  It will be nice to have fresh greens this winter.

I worked on a stained glass project this evening.  I am using a piece of agate and I really like the way it is flowing.  It is good to do something creative, it makes me feel like I am going back to who I really am.  I don't know if that makes sense but I feel like I am being true to myself.  I put on Pandora radio and listen to good music (just discovered Needtobreathe and love them) and after a few minutes of getting settled I am in the flow.  The hardest part is going into the room and getting started.

Ryan and Tyler had birthdays this week.  Remembering the day they were born is a gift that only a mother can understand.  Holding that child for the first time and all the years of memories.  It is so special to see their lives unfold before your eyes. I am so blessed to have these boys in my life.

I have a busy week ahead.  I like that.  Dr. appt., women's bible study, staff mtg., women's group, competitive ride this weekend.  I want to live a full life and this week is going to be good.  So much to be thankful for...rain, son's visit, horses to ride, two sons' birthdays, spirit filled church, God's beauty outside my door, good health to ride 40 miles, room to create, inspiration, new things to do, new people to meet, God's protection, people to love and people that love me, good music, the best friends in the world. Have a good week everyone.

Friendship

I just got home from a trip to Kentucky.  It has been 14 months since I packed up my truck and horse trailer and headed south to Texas.  I was able to stay with my dear friend Lori.  This is a photo of the room I stayed in and yes, all those gifts were for me.  She spoiled me beyond my dreams. I opened a couple everyday and stretched it out over the three days I was there.  A 90 minute massage was pure bliss.  I am so grateful that she came into my life when she did.  She loves me. She makes me laugh.  She is wise and makes me think. She encourages me to be the best I can be.  I want to be that kind of friend. I KNOW that she is a gift from God.  

  

So now that camp is over I have 9 months of "normal" to work on life goals.  I want to work on getting to know people in the community and making friends, healthy exercise and eating habits, working on my art everyday, becoming a better rider, knowing God's character and hearing Him better. So that means structure, discipline, routine.  I have written out a schedule and will have to adjust it as I go.  Most of my goals are measurable but as long I spend the time working toward them I will be moving in the right direction.  I have a half marathon in March that I am registered for.  I have horse hair bracelets that need to be made and marketed.  I will join a bible study group.  I will find a trainer and take some dressage lessons.  I really hope to look back on this year and see that I have made efforts to improve and become closer to the person that God intends me to be.

As I listened to the iBloom calls tonight I thought about the qualities I admire in a friend.  

A good listener that is wise

challenges me to grow

uplifting and encouraging because they believe in me

thoughtful in word and actions

someone that has Godly values and walks them

they want to work toward their goals

like to laugh and have fun. 

I have so many friends that are all of these things.  I hope that I will always be striving and learning to be that kind of friend to them.  I have lived with 10 college girls this summer and that was a fun experience.  I look forward to the coming years and the opportunities I will have to be a friend to the people that cross my path. I hope they will see some of those qualities and feel loved and encouraged to be all they can be.

An idea is born

These are a few of the horsehair bracelets we made this summer.  I got the idea that it would be a meaningful gift for the Wranglers to make from the tails of their favorite horses.  I researched how to make them and bought the hardware.  We made thick ones, thin ones, one color, three colors.  They encouraged me to make it into a business so I am going to give it a try.   I would like to market them at horse events and have competitors bring me the hair from their horse and I would make the bracelet in about an hour. Hopefully, it would pay my expenses and I'd make a little extra too.  I would enjoy being around horsey people.
This is the final week of camp.  We are pulling shoes on some of the horses and moving them to the front pasture.  We wormed 30 of them yesterday.  It is hard to believe that this time next week this place will be still and quiet.  It has been non-stop activity since the middle of May when the Wranglers arrived. These young campers are so easy to entertain.  They say the cutest things.  Yesterday one of the boys noticed the brand on one of the horses and another camper said "that shows where the horse is manufactured".  They all got to ride in the pony cart today and loved it.  They got to meet their horses today and groom them.  They love just touching and loving on them.  Tomorrow will be their first day to trail ride.  I can't wait to hear what they have to say about that.
I am looking forward to going to Kentucky next week.   It will be so good to see the boys and friends.  I feel like I live in a bubble in my own little world.  I am so disconnected during the summer.  I don't mind missing the politics and news but I do miss being with the people I love.  It has been a good summer meeting all the campers and living with these wonderful Wranglers.  We have spent the last three months working long days in the heat, living together, eating together, we are like family, we know each other well and I love everyone of them. What a blessing and help they have been.

A Day In the Life...

I've been meaning to keep a journal of my daily activities at camp this summer but it hasn't happened yet.  I thought I would recap what I did today on my blog.  I have been walking at 6:15 every morning with Joan Croome, a camp mom I met last year.  We became good friends in just two weeks.  She loved the finches I had and went back to Houston and bought some for her anniversary.  She now has 4 and I have none.  The last one I had a camper let out of the cage.  Anyways, it is a great way to start my day because we walk over the big mountain and turn around and we can see the sun rising over the mountains in the distance.  I get to see God's awesome beauty in this place.  When I get back to the barn around 7 the Wranglers and I begin feeding the horses, we walk to the dining hall for breakfast and I usually have a meeting with them about our plans for the day.  I attend a leadership staff meeting at 8 a.m.  Meg told me the surveys are coming back from first term and horseback is getting great reviews.   I led the 2 hr. trail class on Indira this morning and Lily Lou came along too.  I had to get off and put her up in the saddle with me when she got tired.  At lunch today, I drove one of the Wranglers into Kerrville to get a new radiator for her truck.  We stopped at Hometown Crafts and I bought some jewelry clasps and beads.  I had the idea that all the Wranglers can make a bracelet from the horse hair of their favorite horses.  I hope to send them home with many happy memories and a momento. When we got back to camp I had a Wrangler ask me for advice on giving the sermon this Sunday.  I gave her my devotional book, Jesus Calling.  The Wranglers and I judged the crew yell, cleaned a slimy green water trough, picked up a dead dear on the I Spy trail, drove a injured camper to the health lodge.  Now I am sitting in my barn apartment while 4 Wranglers are watching the movie A River Runs Through It and a group of campers are downstairs touring the barn and listening to someone sing to them on the front porch.  It is 10:25 and it has been a long day full of lots of good things.  Speaking of good things one of the campers lost her Father in September and she has really bonded to one of our horses named Arrow.  I told the Wranglers that what we are doing goes so much deeper than just working with horses, we are blessed when we get to see little glimpses of God's greater plan.  Lonehollow is a special place to many many souls.

This is my job.

So I was moving a mare and donkey to the front pasture this evening and had the funny thought that this is my job. This is what I do. I feel like I live in a bubble sometimes and the rest of the world is out there somewhere running a million miles an hour. One of my Wranglers posted this on her FB page and I had to copy it because it really describes well what my day is like..
So tomorrow begins another day of hoisting children onto horses, answering questions like "why is he named speedy if he's so slow", tugging on horses to make them trot, and repeating phrases like "pull back to your hips", "kiss to him" "kick with both legs" and "look where you're going, not at the horse"; all in the hot Texas sun, and loving every second of it!

Little town with a BIG show!

The little town of Utopia put on a BIG show last night.  It was better than the Bellagio in Las Vegas.  One of the new Wranglers is from Denmark and I was so glad that she got to see such an impressive show.  I drove into town with Shanna, Peyton and Nina and we were surprised to see so many people.  There were people from Uvalde, Leakey, Camp Wood and other surrounding towns.
I love that Utopia is a beautiful town tucked away from the fast pace of the world.  It still has a simple innocent lifestyle.  This is the part of Texas I love and I get to enjoy it everyday.  I have a hard time believing I live here.
The last two evenings have been so beautiful because the moon has been full.  We rode down to the river yesterday at sunset and took the horses swimming in the river.  It was dark when we were riding back to the barn and the moon lit the way for us on the road.   It was so bright we could see our moon shadow.  It was one of those moments I hope I will never forget.  The warm Texas breeze blowing on us after swimming in the clear river.  The sound of the horses hooves walking along the road.  I am so blessed to be able to enjoy the simple pleasures of the country life.

A Beautiful Sunday

It was a great day.  The Sunday Service in these beautiful hills is something that fills my soul with JOY.  I look up at those hills that have been here since creation began and the sky above and I am filled with gratitude that I get to live here and enjoy this place everyday.  That God has placed me here with a purpose and it is to fill the lives of others with good things.  Today we took 30 counselors trail riding.  52 signed up and we had a drawing to select 30.  Many of them had never ridden a horse
before and they were so grateful and thankful.  All the Wranglers went on the trail so we had 22 horses out on the trail.  I think we enjoyed it as much as they did.  I feel it is a privilege to be able to teach someone about horses.  Hopefully, they will remember the experience as a positive one that they will want to do again in their lives.  The peace I feel when riding a horse is something that I am thankful for.  It takes me away from the cares of this world.  I hope it will do that for others too.
This evening the Wranglers and I took some horses to the Sabinal River and took them swimming. It was so much fun to cool off and swim with them.  How many people get to go swimming with their horses?  It told the girls on the way back to the barn, "Doesn't it amaze you that God knew we were going to do this today?"  He gives us priceless gifts!

Just a Minute

I just started reading a book called Just a Minute.  It is about stories of children that were encouraged by words or actions of others.  You never know when you are making a memory.  Tonight the Wranglers and I took some of our advanced riders on a trail ride and had a steak dinner at one of our cookout locations.  These kids are great, they talked about their families, told stories, laughed and said it was the best night they had at camp so far.  They have all been here three weeks so I take that as a successful trail ride.  When we got back to the barn they unsaddled their horses and bathed them.  Then a water fight started and a few of them ended up in the water trough.  I think those are the happy memories I want them to have when they remember the barn and their time with us at Lonehollow.  Enjoying friends, horses and the outdoors.  I am so thankful that God has put me in a job where I can serve Him and others because it always comes back around and blesses the giver.  The joy and laughter that I get to be around fills up my heart.  I know the other Wranglers feel the same way too.  That is the best legacy we can leave on this earth. A life can be greatly influenced with as little as a single word, an uplifting comment, a prayer, a compliment, all in just a minute.

Life Lessons

We have three newborn fawns that arrived at camp today.  As the Wranglers and I were walking back from lunch today we stopped in to see them.  It is a wonderful feeling to love and hold them.  It is a blessing to work here at Lonehollow.  We get to feel the same joy that these kids feel when they hold and feed a baby deer.
The lesson plan for riding today was to introduce various styles of riding to the campers.  Today we took the horseback classes out into the big field in front of the barn and played "horse games".  We did pole bending, egg & spoon, toilet paper relay and barrels.  We did a jumping, barrel racing and dressage demonstrations.  As the horse was getting ready to jump he stopped and refused the jump.  He did that 3 times. We changed the jump from a vertical to a cross rail and used guide poles.  He finally went over it at a walk and then a trot.  I used that as an example to the kids to show how we have to continue working on the problem to fix it.  Getting angry at your horse doesn't work and will usually make the situation worse.  The way to solve a problem is to think about alternate solutions until you can ultimately get the horse to do what you want.  I think that is a great life lesson.  When we came back to the classroom I asked them what they learned today.  The answer was not to get angry at your horse.  I hope they will remember.  That wasn't the original objective of the lesson but it was even better.  Thank you God for using horses that refuse jumps to show us how to work on solving problems.

This is Jess and Pizaz.  Tonight we had a theme night and it was holidays.  Jess came up with the idea for our booth and the kids made construction paper ornaments in the shape of gears and taped them to our pony-tree.  Pizaz wore a green slinky, a star on his head, and a little red nose.   I am happy with the way the horseback program is going.  I have never experienced the kind of joy you feel seeing a kid "get it" when they gain their confidence around a horse.  I am so blessed to be a part of that experience with them.  The first time they trot and they are scared and then when they realize they are safe and having fun; their faces light up.  I have had so many kids just this week that were scared to even lead a horse and now they are feeling so good about their new horse friend.  I remember how much I loved horses and how I felt as a little girl and it is a gift to get to be a part of this kind of giving to others.

I am so proud of Kristi for training GiGi to bow.  This is her 3rd day of training. Kristi loves to train the horses.  It is her gift. She will be co-teaching our Natural Horsemanship class.  All the girls are different in what they are gifted at doing with the horses.  It makes it fun for all of us to watch and encourage each other.
I have hired a Wrangler from Denmark and she will be arriving soon. We can't wait for her to arrive and meet her.  I think it will be so much fun to have someone from another country living with us.   We all have the common thread of loving kids and horses but there is still so much variety.  Looking forward to spending time on the trail with the kids, horses and great Wranglers.

The smiles will say it all

I just love this photo of Kristi and Azul.  The smile says it all.  I love my job and that I have the opportunity to share my love of horses with others that love them too.  We get to play and learn from each other.  The Wranglers and I have been putting in some long hours riding the trails at Lonehollow. It is beautiful here and we all have our favorite places (mine are usually in the shade along a creek).

For now the focus is on getting ready for the campers.  We have all role played teaching the many classes we offer.  I think we all like the mounted games class the best.  The good thing about role playing is that all the Wranglers can lead a class if needed.  They can also take ideas from one class and use them in their own.  I am so impressed with the creativity and imagination that they have written into their curriculum.  I can't wait for the campers to get here so we can put it all into action.  The smiles will say it all.

Here is a little bit of life at camp.  The girls and I got out one of the minis and took him for a spin yesterday.  We a having so much fun.  It is so nice to have a passion for something and to get up everyday doing that very thing.  I know the days will get long and hot but the excitement of the kids and the horses will keep it fun and interesting.  Today the Wranglers will be role playing and teaching different classes.  They are all so different and I think that is going to add so much variety to our program.  It is going to be a great horseback program.  Have I told you I am having fun?

These are my Wranglers.  I love them!  They are a great group of girls.  Hard working and they all get along so well.  I am so excited about this summer.  We have been riding for the past week and the horses are getting lots of attention.  The barn is clean, inventory is done.  One of the girls is helping me with a spreadsheet of all the horse usage.  It is so great to see how each of them uses their gifts to help the whole.  Some of the girls were working with a horse in the arena yesterday.  He wouldn't take the correct lead and they all gave suggestions until something worked.  It is that kind of cooperative spirit that is going to make it all come together this summer.  I go to bed tired but it is a good tired.

I have had a blast this week.  We have ridden horses everyday, two trail rides a day.  An easy one in the mornings and a challenging one in the afternoons.  The Wrangler girls are amazing.  They love the horses I have assigned to them and they are all hard workers.  It feels kinda strange being their boss and teaching them but that is one of the areas I am growing in.  We are leaving early in the morning so we can be in the Hunt parade tomorrow.  That will be a fun thing to do.  We will also go to town for some supplies.
I am keeping a journal of all the things I am teaching so that I can learn and improve every year.  I want to make this the best program it can be.  We turned out some of the horses this afternoon to let them eat grass in front of the barn.  As I was sitting in the grass looking at the horses and the mountains I was overcome with the feeling of peace and gratitude.  I am so blessed to hear the birds sing, to look at these mountains that surround me, to feel the soft breeze on my skin.  One of the girls said it is heaven here and I have to agree.  I am so blessed to be doing something I love and to have others around me that appreciate it too.
We talk horses, we ooh and awh at the beautiful things on the trails, we appreciate an honest horse and the challenge of training and riding a difficult one.  It is a thrilling thing to teach these girls about being aware of their body language, tone of voice, eye contact, etc. as they work on the ground training the horses.  It makes me focus on why I do the things I do and how I have learned to read horses behaviors.  Then I have to be able to explain it in detail to them.  I can tell I am going to grow from this summer in my leadership skills and my teaching skills.  I love it.  I want to always be striving to grow, learn and be better.

Our second family camp weekend is over and it went so smoothly this time.  I learned from the previous weekend and got more assistance, added another riding class, more small saddles, took boots to the arena for riders wearing tennis shoes.  This weekend I felt prepared and the classes were full of "happy campers" and happy parents.  I am encouraged and tired in a good way.  I enjoy working with the kids just  look at those smiles.  Something new is always happening at camp, we had 3 lambs born Friday and I have been taking care of them over the weekend.  The camp is quiet and peaceful now.  Everyone has left to go back home.  I stay here with the horses and get to enjoy this beautiful place to myself this evening. What a wonderful way to end the weekend.  Enjoying the present moment and where I am blessed to be.

GO back to it-MY SOUL

The highest form of intelligence is being able to observe yourself without judging yourself.~ Deepak Choprah.  

I want to go back to who I am.  To my SPIRIT.  After a year of struggling with understanding why my life has turned upside down, I think I am getting closer to accepting and seeing it as a transformation opportunity.  I want to love and forgive and be a blessing to others in my life. I can't do that if I hold onto negative energy and don't let go.  I will never understand but I know that I am more than what has happened to me. I will learn to communicate better, to set healthy boundaries, to be aware and confront when my gut tells me to. I will remember the past (but I am not victimized by it), I am going to celebrate the present.  In God I move and breath and have my being.  I will remind myself that I have my spiritual self and I don't want to get confused by what others say or think I am.  I have a choice to make in the kind of energy I give and receive. To be aware of God  in me always.  The most important time in your life is NOW, the best way to prepare for your future is to be present NOW.

A Busy Week

This is the beginning of a busy time at camp.  We have family camp for the next two weekends.  We had 150 people here this weekend.  I planted LOTS of flowers. I had horseback classes for 6 hours on Saturday and one hour on Sunday.  We painted the horses in the mornings and I gave rides in the arena in the afternoon.  We played horse games like egg and spoon, potato drop and jousting.  I think it all went well and I am tired in a good way.  It is satisfying to be doing something that comes so naturally to me.  I love the kids and I love the horses.
The vet and the farrier are coming out tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m.  Another busy day giving shots to 60 horses.  Last night I stopped and looked up at the night sky, the stars were amazingly bright and I reminded myself to enjoy the present.  To take time to realize what I have to be grateful for in this day.  This week I am grateful for the great weather, the people I work with that are fun and supportive, the horses that are my therapy (it is wonderful to have such a great variety of 60 horses to choose from), my boys who send me little presents(from Columbia) in the mail and call to check in, the massage I got today after a year and a half without one (lots of knots in my neck and shoulders), the horse crazy little girls that love to hang out at the barn, for a God that gives all of this and had it planned for my life. 
Do we have the power to do the things to make us happy?  Yes, with God's guidance and we listen to that voice within.  May you be blessed with a sense of purpose!

Happy Easter Everyone

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter and that you are able to go outside and see the awesome wonder that our Lord has before our eyes. NEW LIFE!

There was a beautiful moon last night and I took this picture of the horses grazing by the water tank. This is the water crossing at the entrance of the camp and I have been going down in the evenings and jumping in the river to cool off. A gift from God to sit in the cool water and cool down while watching the ducks and feeling the soft breeze on my skin.

I am surrounded by the beauty of spring. Blake and Mom are coming today to stay for the weekend. I am looking forward to spending time with them. We will cook out on the grill and enjoy the outdoors.

As we celebrate Easter, I think of the gift of life we have been given and I love this verse from Romans 8:11-

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to you mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Invasion of the body snatchers

Yep, I think this is the culprit. I woke up a few nights ago to discover that the rabbit cage had been broken into and one rabbit was gone, one was dead. I set a trap under the cage and caught a wild tom cat the first night. The second night I caught this raccoon. He was missing his right front paw so I think he was caught in a trap before. I took him down the road 5 miles and let him go.

It has been a busy week at Camp Lonehollow. We had a sick skunk show up in the barn, sick horses that are getting penicillin shots for shipping fever, the rabbit incident, etc.

It hasn't been all bad news. I had good friends come for the weekend and we enjoyed beautiful weather. We spent the afternoon at the river, fishing and swimming. I love it that I have had a life that has prepared me for all of this. I have a knowledge of how to set traps, doctor horses, and even animal behavior with catching a skunk (without getting sprayed). When you look back on your life do you see how God is preparing you for something? Little or big it is wonderful to see how he uses us.

Friends are Here

I have friends visiting this weekend. The Akers have been dear friends for almost 30 years. Ashley, their daughter came along with Karlie, their granddaughter. Karlie is an animal lover and she loves horses. She took off her boots beside mine and I just thought it looked adorable. We took a walk around the lake and visited the goats, pigs and sheep. We have two horses missing. I turned them out to eat some grass and they have wandered off so tomorrow we will go on a horse search. We will be cowgirls. Big and little.

Life is far from boring

The camp is coming to life this spring. The lake is almost full. The grass is green and the horses are happy. I just returned from Waco where I attended a horse instructor certification class. I am happy to say I passed with a Level III certification. Makes me want to take more lessons and continue learning. My Mom came to help with the dogs and horses.

I just came in from working around the barn. I noticed a skunk in the barn aisle and he was sick. I was able to trap him in the tack room. I called Jeff, the camp manager, and he came with his gun. I had to go into the tack room and find the skunk and shoo him out for Jeff to shoot him. Luckily he was too sick to spray me. It was another "camp adventure". I love it that my life is far from boring.

Storm is a comin - Look Up!

This is the sky at camp this evening. I took this picture out in front of the barn and I was working Indira. We are expecting rain. They say up to 4 inches tomorrow. I hope it fills up the lakes.

As I stood there feeling the wind whip around us. I just looked up in awe at the beautiful mountains and the clouds moving overhead. I could feel the energy in the air, so could Indira and she wanted to run. I have been practicing gratitude and I had to say "Thank you God for your awesome beauty and allowing me to live here and enjoy it". I became aware of the gift of HIS beauty is for everyone. We all can look up - no matter how much money we make, or how little we own, it doesn't matter what country we live in, how old we are, whether we live in the city or country,etc. We just have to LOOK UP.

SPRING

I am feeling myself awaken with spring. It has been so many years since I had a Texas spring. I have missed the smells, the sight of green grass under oak trees, the white chalk bluffs, the blue sky. It is good to be back home where I belong and where my heart will always be. It is a familiar and comforting place.

I took a walk just to the gate at the top of the hill when I got home. I took Indira, Calvin and Lily and I think we all enjoyed the breeze and nice cool weather. It was refreshing and the view of the hill country always inspires me. We walked back home in the dark with the full moon peeping out between the clouds. I saw a skunk down in a gully but luckily the dogs missed seeing it. I am so thankful for this place that I am blessed to call home.

A thankful heart brings back many blessings

It is good to be home and in my own bed tonight. It has been busy this week. I am driving to Houston to work at a competitive trail ride this weekend. That is something I did 25 years ago when Ryan and Blake were little. We would camp in a tent and I would ride the two days. I have good memories of those days. Now it is time to go back and enjoy it again. I will be helping the judge this weekend so I will learn what they are looking for. I hope to compete with Indira in the fall. I don't have my fancy trailer with air conditioning and will miss that but I am trying to figure out how to make it somewhat comfortable by the fall. I may get a slide in camper for my truck. For this weekend I'll take a sleeping bag and will fold down my seats and sleep in my Prius. I have a little bit of pioneer woman in me and love the adventure.

We have a "horsey" couple coming out to the camp Thursday afternoon to look at our facilities for doing a Parelli horse clinic here. That would be wonderful if it works out. I live out in the middle of nowhere and horse people are coming to me! I am just so thankful for this time in my life and where I am blessed to live. Part of my job is to buy horses for the camp. I sold 4 Friday that weren't kid horses and I have bought a total of 9 in the past 2 weeks. I probably need to get 15 more. I am going to look at one in Marble Falls that was a prison horse. They are wonderful because they were ridden everyday and have been desensitized to spooking. I bought one last week and you can identify them because they all have a star branded on their left shoulder.

It has been drizzling rain the last two days. I did walk 4 miles to the gate and back in the rain. It felt good, the temperature was just right. I am enjoying the hill country and the birth of spring. Some of the mountain laurel is starting to bloom and the hint of sweet grape is in the air. Tonight I was out working around the horses in the barn and heard a whiporwhil (I'm sure I spelled that wrong). I love the peaceful sound that they make at dusk. I am thankful for all the sights, smells, sounds that God has given me as little gifts in my day. I pray that I don't get to distracted to notice His daily gifts. I have been reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. She tells us how important being thankful is to God. When we cease to give him the glory we loose our way in this world and begin to follow our own sinful desires. He lets our hearts guide us. So my prayer is...Lord keep my eyes open to your works and your truth. Make my heart pure and clean as I turn to you for forgiveness so that you can flow through me. I want to stay on your path for my life. That is my prayer for all of you too. Count your Blessings!

Lily Lu and Pizaz

I love traveling around and talking to people. I have been recruiting college students to be counselors and wranglers for the camp. I ask them about their passions and what they want to do with their lives. It is a joy to listen to their dreams and watch their eyes light up as they share their hopes with me. I am so blessed that I work for Meg and she wants people to do what they love. She says that when you are doing what you love it doesn't feel like work. She is right. I have been looking at prospective horses to purchase for the camp. I will be buying 15-20 horses before May. I have traveled off the beaten path to try out these horses. Some good, some not so good. I have met some interesting characters. They start out telling me their history with these horses and pretty soon they are sharing their stories too. I love driving down these back roads of Texas and seeing the beautiful ranches. I enjoy talking with the owners and riding the horses. I can usually tell by the horse's personality and demeanor within a minute if he will work or not. Does he trust people? Does he stand still or fidget? Does he have a relaxed kind eye? When you get on him is he nervous, attentive or uninterested? Does he like to be touched or just tolerate you? These are all things that I naturally notice after spending many years around horses. I think these are the reasons why horses help us to be better listeners, better at being honest about our own feelings, hopefully better people. I love what I do. I thought you all would enjoy seeing a picture of Alamo's Rowdy Pizaz. I went to buy two lesson horses on Saturday in Marion, Texas. He was out in the pasture with them and I made a package deal. I think he is going to get lots of love this summer from the kids and he will be a great addition to our program. You just never know what you are going to find on these adventures.

Recruiting at West Texas A&M

I woke up to snow this morning in Canyon, Texas. We recruited at the college and talked to lots of students about working at Lonehollow. It took me back to my college days. I'm now in Lubbock and will be recruiting at Texas Tech tomorrow. We will have a pizza party tomorrow evening. I am enjoying this road trip. Talking with the college kids and hearing about their hopes and dreams is very positive. It makes me think about every "season" of our life and how we all have a future with potential for living our dreams and pursuing our passion.

Moonlight Hike in Palo Duro Canyon

I met Stephen and Justi at the office in Ingram this morning at 8:00 and we began our trip to the Texas Panhandle. We drove to Lubbock and dropped of Justi at Texas Tech. Then Stephen and I drove further North to the Palo Duro Canyon. After driving for 7 hours we arrived around 4:30 and checked in at the entrance to the state park. The Ranger said it was a 6 mile hike to the "lighthouse" and he didn't think we would have time to do it before dark. Stephen and I took that as a challenge and we did it. It was a good hike with the last part having a pretty steep climb but it was worth it. On the way back we saw the full moon coming up in the pink sky. It was the best time of the day to be hiking. The temperature was in the low 50's and the light on the rock formations was breathtaking. I am now back at my comfortable hotel room. I've had a hot bath and I think I will sleep well. Tomorrow we go to West Texas A&M to recruit for camp. I'm looking forward to talking with these college kids. God has blessed us with beauty all around. Have you seen the moon tonight? Here in Canyon, Texas it has a rainbow of colors around it. I guess you call that a moonbow.

What a great weekend!

It is Sunday afternoon and all is quiet at camp. It rained a little while around lunch and now it is beautiful with the sun is out. I love peaceful Sunday afternoons. It has been a fun and busy weekend. It all began Friday afternoon. I picked up Liz Nance at the San Antonio airport. She is from Fort Worth and her son attends camp here. She is a new friend that I have really enjoyed spending time with. We had a wonderful dinner and made beaded bracelets Friday night. I didn't have my iphone with me so I didn't get any pictures. There were 9 women that came to camp for the retreat. It was the perfect size. Saturday was filled with massages, manicures, pedicures, horseback rides, crafts of all kinds, good wine, conversation, mountain biking, hiking, more good food. I was in charge of the crafts and I think they were a hit. We had to literally pull some of the women away to do other activities. You know how it is when you get into the creative flow and don't want to stop. They were enthusiastic and happy to participate which made it easy. We are going to hang the birdhouses and feeders up around the camp so their children will be able to see them this summer.

Stephen played his guitar and sang for us after dinner. We were up til after midnight. Everyone was gone by 9:30 this morning and now it is quiet here. I am going to rest up and pack this afternoon. I leave bright and early for Amarillo and Lubbock. I have to say I am loving my life right now, the balance of beauty, quiet and solitude and then entertaining and meeting new people, recruiting and hiring Wranglers, it is just a happy place to be. Someone asked this weekend what would you change if you had six months to live and I have to say I don't feel a need to change a thing. I think I am right where God wants me to be at this point in my life. There is a peace and contentment in knowing that. I think I have some maturing to do so that I can always have that peace no matter what the circumstances but I am also going to be appreciative for the wonderful circumstances I have around me. Attitude really is the key!

A Creative Day at Camp

Here are a couple of the craft projects that I will be doing for the women's retreat this weekend. The birdfeeder has stones that are similar to the buildings at Lonehollow. I have a couple of other projects we will be doing and I'll post those in a day or two.

Today I helped Lori decorate the health lodge. It looks warm and inviting for the women. They will arrive around 5 tomorrow. I think it is going to be a great weekend. I am exhausted so I am off to get some rest before the fun begins.

A day at camp

Well I am officially living at the camp now. I got everything moved (thank you Mom for your help) and my apartment over the barn is very comfortable and nice. I don't know if everyone would love to live over a horse barn but God has certainly given me my heart's desire. This isn't your ordinary horse barn either.

It is February 1st and it is hard to believe the wonderful weather we have had. Almost 80 today. I am enjoying my outside chores-no more sitting behind a desk crunching numbers. Today I woke up to feed all the animals. I have a menagerie to care for and they all know my car now. First it is the hungry horses, then the lambs, pigs and goats. Then I go to the lake and feed to ducks, then down to the Sabinal River to feed more ducks and geese. Then back home to feed the rabbits. Of course, Calvin and Lily get fed too. I gave a horse a bath, cleaned 10 stalls, hauled hay and feed 100 pounds of feed.

I spent part of today getting ready for the women's retreat that is happening this weekend. I will be taking some of them horseback riding and doing craft projects. They will also be getting massages, manicures and pedicures. These are women that Meg has hand picked to be representatives for the camp in the cities they live in. They will be promoting Lonehollow and recruiting new campers for us. She wants this to be a relaxing and inspiring weekend for them. I have been decorating the health lodge where they will be staying. I'll post some pictures tomorrow. I bought great smelling candles and framed some of the fused glass projects that the campers have created. I'll be working with Meg's decorator tomorrow to put some more finishing touches on everything. I can't believe this is what I get paid to do.

The days are flying by and I have to say I am tired at the end of the day. I am glad I have a few months to build up my stamina before the 10 wranglers arrive. I leave Monday and will be gone all week to recruit at colleges in North Texas. I am looking forward to getting to know the girls that will be living across the hall from me from May to August. It will be a new experience for me after spending most of my life raising 4 boys. There will certainly be more talking. For now it is peaceful and quiet and I remind myself that I need to enjoy it. I couldn't be in a more peaceful and beautiful place. I am doing what I love. I would have never imagined this would be my life.

Yes friends, this is the view from my front porch at the horse barn. I took some time to do my Bible Study Fellowship lesson today and I just had to take a picture to share with you. Although pictures don't do it justice. The camp sits in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. It really is HEAVENLY. There is a peace and quiet that fills your soul. I will be moving out here in February so I can start riding the horses daily. Wow, what a job and what a place to live. I am so blessed to love what I do and do what I love. My dogs are going to love it too!!!

The Holidays

New Years Day - Venison, elk, and beef chili lunch at the Scudders house in Fredericksburg
New Year's Eve - Watching fireworks in San Marcos with the Akers.
Karlie and Lily Lu taking a train ride at the Akers' property in Wimberly.
Bebo came for Christmas, he loves Calvin and Lily Lu.
The pictures above are a collection of good times spent with friends and family during Christmas and New Years.

Somethings I am grateful for over the holidays:

- To work with positive-energetic-caring-creative people at Lonehollow. Meg surprised us all with a trip to Fredericksburg and Enchanted Rock. We had a fun Christmas party. I had two weeks off of work-that hasn't happened for many, many years.

- It was great to be in Texas this year to celebrate in warmer weather. Not only Texas but the beautiful hill country. Not only the hill country but to have access to 3000 acres anytime. It just keeps getting better as I will be waking up everyday with the beautiful hills and the horses outside my door as I call camp "home".

- I am grateful for the time with family and friends. The gifts are wonderful but we remember the TIME spent with others. Bebo flew down from Kentucky and was here for 10 days. It was great to tour the Alamo, Buckhorn Hall of Horns, eat great Mexican food, ride the river barge on the Riverwalk, shopping in Fredericksburg, seeing a show at the Rockbox, etc. Mom and I spent Christmas day at camp (she enjoyed picking a few veggies from the garden). I took my cousin Sherry's family horseback riding-it was her boys' first time to ride. I spent New Year's Eve with my dear friends, the Akers & their granddaughter Karlie, watching the fireworks in San Marcos. Considering I had no definite plans for the holidays they filled up perfectly.

I think that is the way life is...we plan and prepare the best we can with the knowledge we have but ultimately things change and we have to adapt. This was my first Christmas being divorced and I had some concern over how the holidays would play out. Honestly, it was bumpy, but I kept looking up and looking ahead. There was encouragement, laughter, beautiful warm days and love and I soaked it in.

I made some stained glass etchings over the holidays and the one I like the best says...

It is our attitude and faith, not our circumstances, that determine our destiny - by April Baxter.

My word for 2012 is STRONGER. I am ready to push on toward a new year, new beginnings, new life.