I am talking about “living in a bubble” . . . . that place we all go from time to time(or longer) that is just “our” own world or life . .where nothing penetrates it to pop in unexpectedly. It revolves around family and kids, household chores and budget challenges, our “lives” . . I can see the benefits to being in a bubble . .you don’t watch the news because it is “tragic or upsetting” and you don’t let yourself get involved with others problems . . .the bad stuff that can happen “won’t happen to you” and you just go along with your head in the sand . .or a bubble, but beware that can be a dangerous place to become accustomed to . . . .

I believe the reason that the public reacts so violently or extremely to tragedy in the news is because they like their bubble and nothing gets in that is not presonally related to them unless it is really bad . . .there has been countless times I have heard “can you believe . .” after something tops the news . ..yes I can believe! Alot of terrible things happen in this country every day! Open you eyes and be aware . . . and situationally aware all the time!

We strive to live this way everyday, we have to!  It is a matter of survival . . .we live in a state that borders Mexico, a border that is more open then not, a border that flows a large number of illegal interuptions to our lives daily. It is more of a warzone most days then a working ranch.  We love ranching, it is more then a “career” it is our way of life.  My husband is a 5 generation rancher in this valley and I am a 4th generation rancher . . it is what we have done our whole lives, and pray we will be able to do as long as God allows us to be on this earth. But I am getting off track on to one of my other passions which is advocating for agriculture and how important its survival is to everyones lives LOL

Back to bubbles and how they don’t relate to one of our important philosophy’s of life . .

“We prepare so we are prepared for anything and everything that life can throw our way . .and then we pray we don’t need to be prepared for anything bad . .”

A large part of that is not “living in a bubble” and to know what is going on around you. To embrace and use the rights this great country gives you,  To educate yourself on the legislation that is going to effect your daily life . .the easiest way I have found to do that is creating a network of “like minded” people(social networks are handy for that) can help you keep you informed, I know I don’t have time everyday to check into every issue that is going to impact my life, there is to much other “life” going on around here some days Ha ha.

You may think what difference will one person really make . . . . but if everyone keeps thinking that nothing will ever change for the better “because of one person” our own lives and the lives of our children will never have the chance for a “better” future.

I am trying to articulate on this subject because it is so important to me. Over the past couple years my “friends” will tell you I have become more vocal on politics, gun control, border control, and agriculture advocacy. I always try to be well informed and not to emotional(but some of the most “important” opinions i  have are emotional because they impact my life so much), although at times it is hard since alot of  people do not understand the concept of “Agree to disagree” LOL I don’t like the idea of “sticking my head in the sand” or staying safe in my bubble when my beliefs or livelyhood or whatever are at stake.  I would not be proud of myself if I lived every decision as a “what if” or as a politically correct yes woman . .

Every “hot” subject out there can be debated so many diferent ways, because these issues effect each person differently . . .so all I really am trying to get through in this blog  is that it can be comfortable living in a “bubble” all the time but  . . . .  Please come out and visit the “world” . .  and know how your bubble can be negativly popped at anytime . .and be prepared if that time ever comes!

Thanks for reading

While I was laying around(and baking at a 103 temp) I started trying to plan decorating ideas for the “new house” . . . .we are going to be moving into my father in laws house soon now that he has moved for a different job. I am SO excited about it! I will have “bigger” rooms and each of the kids will have their own rooms. I want to make some changes like paint and such so the house is “new” and “mine” if you know what I mean. I am possible thinking of western wallpaper in the dining room(yay a dining room) and a tile backsplash in the kitchen . . .tile is frustrating and expensive! especially the “pretty” decrative kind, so the backsplash may just end up being paint Ha Ha.

Being an impatient person I want to move “right now” but I don’t want to try and paint after I have moved stuff in . .I had planned to start priming this week but with sick kiddos home from school and myself still recovering I have not made any progress next door except daydreaming . . .hopefully soon I will have more home improvement stuff to show off LOL if I can find my camera . .

What do you all think makes a big impact in changing a place into “your home”?

I usually change valances frequently since they require less fabric to finish, when you are doing large windows with ceiling to floor drapes it takes quiet a bit of yardage. My living room curtains have about 2 1/2 yards per panel. I made these out of suiting fabric that feel alot like microsuede, I used decrative stitching to add an embroidered look to the edges, after I made the first panel I was wondering why I had decided to do that since it took so long LOL, but it was worth it!

My newest kitchen valances are for my love of western decor, I have appliqued boots on them. I don’t use patterns and I ended up drawing the boot pattern freehand. The striped fabric I used some of the same green that is in my wallpaper. I made a “matched set” for over the kitchen sink and one over the kitchen table.

Every year I try and make a new christmas decoration to add to my collection, a few years ago I made christmas valances that go in place of these for the month of december.

One cost effective way to make curtains for a large window is with sheets. For my bedroom windows I bought a twin sheet set, one panel was out of the flat sheet, and one was out of the fitted sheet I trimmed the elastic out of. The Valence was made out of the pillowcase and the decorative top of the flat sheet. I was happy with they way they turned out, they even double well as a backdrop for my cowboy hats LOL

For my kids room I once again went with a western theme with cowboys and cowgirls on the valance. As you will notice I didn’t take a picture right away(Opps) and they have been “lived around” and have gotton dusty(another thing added to the to do list).

I have made other customized window treatments through out the years but these were the pictures that were on this computer to share at the moment. I hope you enjoyed the look into my decorating style that I can indulge in since I sew.

November was filled with everyday ranch chores and yearling cattle in the corral that required alot of time to settle into their new “for now” home. By the end of the month they were all pretty much starting to get over any sickness they had and starting to gain weight . .which we hope they do more and more of as the days get closer to sell them . .Yay for a high cattle market at the moment.

December pretty much equaled holidays, family, and hunting . .the order of which changed daily. I had lots of sewing projects that needed done for christmas so that took up time and I also became very focused on bowhunting season for deer . .I hunted hard and had a great time but did not tag . .my husband did though . . .

We headed into January with snow and cold and more hunting for me. I had a pulled muscle in my left shoulder so had to take a little time off since I couldn’t actually pick up my bow to the right height . .it got good enough for me to hunt the last half of the month . . . . hunting is always a “learning process” but would sure have preferred if at the end of the month I would have had a picture with any size trophy Ha Ha. I am hoping that the early fall season is better for me since december is always so hectic with holdiay stuff.

My daughter turned 6 this month, it is hard to believe that my baby is getting so big. She made out very well for her  birthday booty. She got a new “big girl” bow . .with pink, barbies(dressed in pink), a jewelry box, electronic ear protection for shooting . .in pink, and other some other stuff.  .alot of it in pink. Can you tell she likes pink? I made her a barbie cake for her birthday which she loved.

Well that is a quick basic summary of the last couple months, I know there was more if I had written week by week and more I will think of after I end this LOL Thank you for visiting.

I have decided that i really like the 4 day school week. The days are longer for the kids but it seems that we get so much more done on the 3 day weekend. The first quarter of school is over and conferences from the teacher went better then i expected it to, so i have my fingers crossed for the next 3 quarters. The only uproar the first quarter is that my daughters “favoritist teacher in the whole world” ended up resigning a couple weeks into the year and being replaced by a not so favorite teacher, she has adjusted though and seems to be back on track, for the first bit she didn’t want to go to school with the new teacher. 

We have accomplised gathering, vaccinating(most of the herd) and weaning for now and are now moving into winter feeding. The corral has been full of bawling calves which is a sweet song of money, I really enjoy having them close and being out with them every day. Yearling calves are just like kids, curious and troublesome all rolled into one. I already have “favorites” that I will kind of miss when we sell this spring.  Here is my favorite from last year, he was always out to greet us first and followed us around the pens as we went about chores. He was much bigger by the time he went to auction.

I just realized that all the pictures i have taken of our recent residents are on my phone or camera and not downloaded onto my computer for easy access, so i will add downloading to my ever revolving “to do” list.

This last spring my heeler passed away. She was the only dog on the place that was all “mine” she preferred me to everyone else, the dogs have a way of leaning towards the kids LOL I have finally found another dog, not a replacement but a perfect companion since i have been kind of lost with the kids in school all day. His name is Cahill. We name all our dogs after John Wayne movies or characters from John Wayne movies.

And here is a pic of him sitting next to my husbands Catahoula “pup” named Duke who still believes he is a lap dog.  These pics were taken the end of august, they have both grown since then LOL

I never believed that i was an inside dog type of person but having these two in the yard and easy to invite in has changed that, it is nice to be followed from room to room as i clean and have “somebody” in the house with me.

Well that is a small summary of “life” around here lately. Thanks for visiting!

Well as for me and my time management without kiddos at home. . . .Still struggling to adjust to the changes going on around me. It seems that everyone is progressing and moving along and I am stuck in my same patterns. My husband seems to think that my daily activities should change since the kids aren’t home but that has not completley not been the case. No I am not playing with barbies anymore but after creating a pattern of daily chores and “to do’s” for the last 9 years I am not changing quickly. I used to say “I will get so much more done . .or I will exercise more and focus on me” but that has not really been the case. Now that I have “realized” that I need to make a change for me and not as an “us” or as a parent I am hoping my days will become more smooth and productive . .we shall see LOL.

The month of August has been full of canning for me. All the neighbors trees have more fruit then they want and I keep getting calls saying  ”they are falling on the ground come get them” So far this year I have made alot of jam and jelly.  Some of the bounty includes wild cherry jelly, peach, blue berry, and apple butter. I have prickly pear jelly planned when the fruit is ripe. It has been nice to stay busy with something productive and not just mope around because my nest is empty.

This is the first time that both of my kids are in school during the day, my baby is in kindergarten this year. For the last nine years I have been a stay at home mom with kids “at home” it is weird having them gone all day. I am used to doing household chores around their schedules and now I have all day  . . . .I am having issues managing my time. I am a big into procrastination and I still find myself hurrying through last minute things right before the bus comes in the afternoon. I realize part of being a parent is watching your kids grow . . i just didn’t realize how much it would bother me to see them both leave each morning on the school bus. I used to look forward to the occasional day to go shopping or get stuff done “by myself” but now it just isn’t the same as the “stolen time” of before.  Thankfully this year both the kids like their teachers and so far are still excited to go.  We shall see how “we” all progress throughout this school year.

Since March alot has been going on in my life. The school year ended and it is almost time for it to start again. This august it will be a bittersweet moment as my youngest of 2 heads off to school for her kindergarten adventure, I have been a stay at home mom for 9 years with at least 1 kiddo always in tow so I am already at a loss of what I am going to do with myself. I have lots of “ideas” but we shall see if any of them actually grow from into something more then an idea.

Calving season is over and our calves are growing by the day. There is nothing I enjoy more then going and looking at our herd. Monsoons have kind of started and the grass is all turning green. Still waiting for enough rain for tank runoff water but I am confident I will get what I need.

The last couple months I have found myself drawn more into politics, local affairs, and agriculture awareness then ever before. If you are not involved in what you are passionate about your message will never get out, who better to explain and educate about a livestyle then those that live it. Let me break down a couple of abreviated points dear to my heart. 

1. Ranching(and farming) is more then a job it is a lifelong passion and commitment.  We don’t only raise our own beef but we raise beef for America, it is important to support all forms of agriculture . . you like to eat don’t you? I know I do LOL

2. Our borders are not safe, we live in a war zone everyday! There is illegal activity from border crossings that effect us in every aspect of what we do. I don’t just tell my kids “watch for snakes” when they go out I also have to say “if you see anyone run home”. When I go out to check waters and livestock I am aware the one of my neighbors or myself may end up like our dear friend and neighbor Rob Krentz who was murdered on his ranch this spring while out checking his ranch; if we are not always aware of our surroundings even in the ”middle of nowhere” on our own property and prepared for anything.

3. If you are not happy with our government and our elected officials do something about it. Get registered to vote, research your canidates, tell everyone you know which canidate you like and why, and last but certainly not least VOTE. Primary’s are Aug 24!

And on that note I will close this blog, I hope to be back before as much time passes as before.

I am glad I don’t have to mow this morning but I most likely am going to have to go feed cattle. We are coming to that time of year that the stockpile of hay we bought last summer is getting smaller. . . and hay buying season is getting closer.  I like feeding horses this time of year because I don’t have to climb tall hay stacks to get a small bale down much quicker to feed but I know the time is coming when my checkbook is going to have to come out to refill the barn, a bittersweet moment to say the least LOL. I am looking forward to the start of hay season, I love the smell of fresh cut alfalfa and the look of the bright green bales in my barn.

The cows come runing whenever they hear the diesel truck coming hoping to get anything to munch on. It is good they aren’t to picky since the “good” cow hay is more scarce then in the begining of the winter feeding season. I enjoy going out to feed, I can see all the herd up close and personal, see any new calves, and get a solid count. Sometimes the “up close and personal” is a little to close, we have a herd bull(named Cocktail)that learned as a yearling that he could easily ride on the hay trailer and not have to push and shove to get to the flakes given out and he didn’t have to “lean down” to eat . . he hesitates until the last moment after you stop to come back to the trailer to reluctantly get off . .maybe.

This is the time of year that the feed stores ask for premium prices for not so premium hay because it is getting harder to come by. The story of supply and demand.  If you have some extra money, and room this year think about  buying your winter supply before the winter begins because prices always go up.  We are working on gettting a new hay barn up so we don’t have to tarp everything this year .I have to say the big billboard tarps are amusing but a pain to deal with. Right now we only have a “verizon wireless” stack  still tarped. 

Well off to go pick through which bales to take to the herd, I am glad their is a slight breeze today to carry the dust and flakes away from me as we feed. Hope everyone is having a great sunday. Miles of Agricutural Smiles!

I discovered a Leather factory supply store that is affiliated with Tandy Leather Company in my area and discovered a place that was just as much fun as Joann or Hancock Fabrics which have and still are long time favorite places of mine. I was in heaven digging through scrap bins and numerous hides envisioning what part of a purse each could be. The first day I walked away with a shopping bag full of leather(light weight upholstery 2-4oz), magnetic bag clasps and zippers.

Most people prefer patterns but I always seem to change the pattern so much I have stopped using them for some things and just flying by the cut of my scissors. The first purse I made was a rounded body shape with two straps and a snap closure. The main design flaw I came upon was underestimating how much leather my machine could actually sew through. Always test what your machine can handle and use strong needles. Sewing slow through thicker areas is also recommended so if a needle does come upon problems hopefully it will just bend instead of sending flying pieces of a formerly perfect needle your way. I also noticed that even if my machine and needle will power through multiple layers sometimes it will not bring up the bobbin thread all the way and lock each stitch so watch closely for missed stitches. Decorative stiching really makes pockets and edges look finished off.

I have sewed multiple purses since the first “try” and I have found that I love leather as much as I do fabric. And carrying a purse that I custom made for myself gives me a little thrill every time I head off to run errands with it. If you don’t have a leather supply store in your area check out online there are numerous places to find something that will catch your fancy. I am an avid fan of eBay and especially the leathercraft section LOL.