it's the broncs and the blood, steers and the mud

For those of you that have been Garth Brooks fans at one point or another, the title of the blog will make sense.

So last Thursday, I was given two free tickets to the Texas Stampede Rodeo at the American Airlines Center. We went today. As some of you can recall, back on the 4th of July, Ryan bought me a hat down in Luckenbach which I have not worn since. You may also recall that the whole reason Ryan got into making jewelry was to make me a new hat band. So on Saturday evening while watching football, he made me my hat band, earrings and bracelet so I could be all "cowgirl" for the rodeo. They are so pretty! He has decided he wants to put the stampede strap back on, so it is not done yet, but look! Isn't it beautiful :o)

I haven't been to a rodeo in a really long time. I went with Jennifer a couple of times during college to the Houston rodeo which was a lot of fun, and I've seen a few bull riding events at Billy Bob's, but a true rodeo, I had not been to in quite a while. They did not have a great turn out, so our nosebleed seats were exchanged for first tier seats. We were on row D, section 117 if you want to look it up. Anywho, due to the weird staring of the guy next to me, and the odor of the guy next to Ryan, we moved about ten rows up...where we actually could see a little better. All those animals were so pretty. And really cool to get to be so close to them all. We got there about 12:15, got in the doors about 1:00, rodeo started at 2:00, and we left about 4:00. They had eight contestants from all the different events compete, and the four winners from each event were going on to a final...which we did not stay for. Could have, but didn't want to spend money on food so came home. One thing for sure, those bronc riders and bull riders are brave fellers. Several were wearing helmets instead of hats, and the announcer would tell the crowd about a recent injury, etc. Just amazing. OH! And only one of the bull riders stayed on for 8 seconds. So I think they said he automatically advances to a Las Vegas event, but they let the top four from the previous rounds all advance to the finals tonight. Anywho, it was a lot of fun! I really enjoyed it. Bare Bronc riding, calf wrestling, barrel racing, mutton bustin, saddle bronc riding, team roping, tie up, bull riding...and I think I might be missing a couple events in between. Good times and very family friendly...have a great week everyone!

Funny

After a beautiful day perusing around Southlake Town Square and a wonderful lunch at Anamia's, my mom gave me five boxes of stuff that have been crowding her garage.  So I came home and needed to find a spot in my garage to put them :o)  This started a mini project.  Our garage isn't dirty, just cluttered and unorganized.  I put a couple old chairs (one of the legs was broken and the once burnt orange chair was now a light tan) by the curb along with several old empty boxes we don't need, couple trash bags with actual trash in them, etc.  And success!  Garage is MUCH cleaner, not very organized yet, but at least now we can move around in there to start organizing.  So it was still pretty light outside...I would say about 5:15-5:30ish when I see a man walk up, take one of the old ratty chairs, then open an empty old tent box we had (which I had put a bag of grout that had gotten wet and was now a solid rock) just to make sure there wasn't anything in it.  I couldn't help but chuckle.  I mean, he lives two doors down...and I was still outside in plain view.  Isn't proper "taking someone else's trash" protocol you at least wait until the person has left sight?  And if you do decide to take it, you say something to your neighbor?  Not in Irving my friends.  Not in Irving.

Truck Donation

We finally got rid of Granddad's old truck.  This is the first time I have been without a pick-up since Dad and I went to the police auction and bought the ole red Ford.

Charity Motors came this morning and picked it up while Dayna was at her SAFY conference.

It had 86,179 miles on it.

Very Serious...

I am very lucky because Ryan and I carpool and I get to enjoy the scenery most days from the passenger seat. Friday night I started looking at drivers. Lots of people on cell phones, some people singing, some smoking, but most…frowning or VERY SERIOUS! I mean, you would have thought some of these people were in a staring contest with a rival. So I paid attention again this morning on the way in. This time I saw one person on a cell phone, but everyone…I mean EVERYONE else was frowning. So I consciously made myself have a half smile the whole way in. I mean, not a big goofy grin as we drove past people or anything (which I have been known to do before…Ryan usually will honk and we both wave…it’s quite funny really), but just a half smile. I found it odd that once I put that forced half smile on my face, I started thinking about all the things I am thankful for. Thankful for Ryan. Thankful for my wonderful family. Thankful I have a job that I drive to each morning. Thankful we have a car that takes us to work each morning. Thankful for beautiful autumn mornings. Thankful I have warm clothes and a coat to put on. Thankful for so many things. And then I caught myself with a full smile. No longer forced. So I encourage each of you to this week watch yourself in the car…on your way to work, the store, dropping your kids off at school, on your way to the doctor’s office…to remind yourself to smile. You may just end up in a completely different place than you started.

Restful Sunday

Yesterday I volunteered out at the Dallas Race for the Cure. It was a really really early morning...I left the house at 3:15 am! Yikes! I stopped by Taco Cabana and got two bag fulls of breakfast tacos, because as you all know, I am not very easy to be around when I am hungry. Our first volunteers started arriving about 4:15 and kept coming until about 10:15. All went really well and our booth was pretty well cleaned up by 11:15. So amazing seeing this giant sea of people out there supporting such a wonderful cause. I am honored I was able to be a part of it. The last figure I heard yesterday was about 26,000 runners/walkers, but I bet they beat that...and we had about 1,000 volunteers come out, along with all those who just came to support their loved ones, etc. I bet there were about 30,000 folks out there. Not to mention it was a BEAUTIFUL day so I'm sure that helped participation quite a bit. I came home and needed to eat, so Ryan drove me over to Fuddrucker's at Irving Mall for a burger. I'm suprised I made it home before falling asleep (about 2:30)! Finally woke up about 4:30 and had to get out of the house in order to wake up. So Ryan and I headed up to Linen's and Things to see if they had any good specials for their going out of business sale. Things weren't extremely cheap yet, but we did buy ourselves a comforter, shams, etc for fear if we waited too long, they wouldn't have any queen size stuff left. Sage green Damask set. Simple and looks really nice in the room. I got the new pillowcases and dust ruffle washed, ironed and on the bed about 9:00 and immediately got in bed. I didn't even hear Ryan come to bed...I'm sure it was after the end of the UT/Mizzou game though.
So after several busy months, it is about time for a restful Sunday. What a beautiful day today too! Woke up at nine, headed to church, stopped by the grocery store, we grilled, and I've been cleaning/relaxing since. I'm kinda in one of those meandering moods...maybe I'll go walk around Big Lots or Target...
I hope everyone has a fantastic week!

More Pumpkin Stuff

We went to visit Krystal, Howard and their kids this weekend. I believe carving pumpkins on Texas/OU weekend has now become tradition...at least, according to Krystal :o)

Oh...and how about those longhorns! Have a great week everyone!

PUMPKINS!

So yesterday my coworkers were kind enough to indulge me. We all headed off to the Farmer's Market for lunch and pumpkin hunting! HUNDREDS upon HUNDREDS. I did better than I did last year and only picked up what Ryan told me to. I could hardly wait to get home and show Ryan...but what...I get home and see that Ryan couldn't even wait for me! He had gone to Kroger on his way home from work and bought a couple himself :o) Here is what he carved for me. For those of you that don't know, the little green turtle in the picture is my new obsession. I love him! There is something about it that is so cute, I just can't help but stare at it! I know...it's weird. But, I fully contend he brings luck with him wherever he goes...maybe he'll visit you soon :o) Happy Autumn!!!