I Won the Lotto and I Didn't Even Gamble

Extraordinary!  That is what my last 7 days were.
First, I spend Monday through Wednesday with my daughter in Las Vegas.  We didn't gamble really.  We didn't even know exactly how.  We shopped and walked and watched the National Finals Rodeo twice!  We got massages in a fabulous spa.  We dined like princesses.  We had filet minion in our hotel room for breakfast.  We drank mimosa's and champagne.  We laughed and we cheered.  It was a great week.  I was a bit disappointed that I did not get to connect with my friend Lee Ann, but I "snapped out of it" and moved on.

Our only set back was my daughter came home to a family full of stomach virus and a house full of germs.  She got it too several days later.  All are recovering now.

Then today I got a phone call from T-Paw who said "I've hired a helicopter.  What are the kids doing this afternoon?  Want to come over and ride in it?"  Well, yeah!  Consider me there.  I've never ridden in a helicopter.  Never really given it a lot of thought, but it sounded awesome.  Baby Gray and his dad were headed over too but my daughter unfortunately was still not feeling quite up to par so she stayed home.  BG, my SNL and I headed out first in the Ranger while T-Paw stayed at the house continuing to finish up some cake baking he had started.  Our Ranger group headed off into the pasture looking for deer and hogs.  BG was able to sit on my lap and drive the Ranger almost by himself.

We were fortunate enough to see deer and hogs on our drive.  When we went to find the horses for Baby Gray, we found Mosey with a couple of big cuts along his forearms and legs.  We got him back to the barn and doctored him up some.  There was nothing to stitch up, and it was really too old anyway, but a couple of pretty big jagged scrapes.  BG even had time for a little "giddy up Mosey".

About that time the helicopter showed up.  BG, his dad and I were on the second leg for going up.  BG had not brought a coat along and they told us it was cool up there so we had to make do with one of T-Paws old jackets.  BG looked sort of like a Pac Man.

BG had a great time.  He was not scared not one bit, of the helicopter or riding in it.  What a big brave courageous boy!!

After Baby Gray's short ride I was able to go with some other folks for a longer ride over the ranch.  It was so so cool.  This particular type of helicopter had no doors or anything, just open sided.  I was brave and courageous too!

What an amazing week.  Within 7 days I did two phenomenal things I had never done before...attend the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas and rode in a helicopter.  This week did feel sort of like winning the lotto!  And Baby Gray did two things he had never done before...drive and fly!

A big shout out to JT/T-Paw for making those two things possible!  He's got a generous spirit for sure.  Here's to a week of once in a life times and hope I get to do that agains!  Blessings abounding for me for sure!

Ephesians 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.

NFR Post #6 The Thomas and Mack...It's All Different When You Get Inside

Amazing, that's what I can say about the NFR.  The excitement of the crowd just oozes out of everything.  Eyes wide open.  Oh my!

But what I want to say is when you get on the inside of the Thomas and Mack, it's all different.  When  you walk down to the floor and you look at it up close, it's small; it's so small, no, it's tiny!  The arena is tiny.  The four walls are all so close together. There is very little room to turn around.  I do not not know how they get those horses turned around in ANY event.  It's near impossible.  But the barrel racing pattern has got to be the smallest most of these BIG horses have ever run.

The Crowd:
The crowd is beyond excited.  They've been waiting for days for the first event.  They are donning their cowboy hats and boots.   It's finally here.  They are pumped!  Their hearts are racing.  They are on their feet.  A rider rides in on horseback and posts the American Flag in the center of the arena.  The crowd is quiet.  A prayer is said.  The Star Spangled Banner is sung.

The Contestants:
Huge anxiety for some; just another day at the office for others; they said so in their interviews.
The announcer calls their name.  Then, two heart rates shoot off the charts.  A prayer is said by the believers.  The horse cannot wait to get inside the arena to do his job.  He's bouncing off the walls and his front feet are off the ground.  The rider waits.  She holds him back until just the right moment.  Then she releases his reins.  The bit falls loose in his mouth.  The cowgirl spurs him on.  She lets him go.  There's an explosion.  He's off.  The horse runs in at the speed of sound; the rider kicks, whips and sometimes hollers.  Then everything slows to almost a stand still.  The crowd takes a deep breath.  The racers turn.  The crowd breaths, cheers.  Again the rider kicks, spurs, and whips, and the horse blasts off like a rocket for 3 more seconds to the second barrel, slows to an almost stand still, turns, on a dime, and then they do it all AGAIN.  Seriously!  After the last turn at the third barrel, if their run is clean and no barrels are down, the crowd goes wild, screaming, clapping, hollering, cheering the horse and rider on to victory.  Again the rider kicks and whips as they race out of the arena.  As she races down the alleyway, the cowgirl listens for her time if she ran out with all three barrels standing.  If she didn't, she's shaking her head in disbelief.  They slow.  They stop.  They take a breath.  The rider gets off.  The horse drops his head and heaves.  They are finished.  In 14 to 15 seconds it's all over...until tomorrow night.

Mark 10:27
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.

NFR = $14.95

                                 

The NFR vs TV

For years I used to go to bed and set my alarm for about 12:45pm to watch the barrel racing at the NFR.  I'd wakc up from a dead sleep to watch the girls run.  I just couldn't wait til morning.

For years I have set my VCR/DVR for the NFR!  It is set again....but I had to pay.
The NFR is only on GAC (Great American Country) this year.  I didn't have that channel on my channel line up.  So for the month of December I have upped my TV to Premium Choice!  Seriously!  $14.95!  I figure it is less than the price of one ticket and I get to watch all 10 performances.  It is also LIVE vs taped.  So I'm pumped.

Round 1 tonight!  9:00p.m.  Consider me there!

Go Team Lee Ann.

Stay tuned!!!

Isaiah 40:27-31

New International Version (NIV)

²⁷ Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God”?
²⁸ Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.

Blessings and love!

Who's on Your Team?....God

You may be a little tired of my going on about the NFR.  However, it's still holding lessons for me.  This is a piece of an interview I saw with Lee Ann Rust on Barrel Horse News...

Who’s on your team? Shelly Fair – her job description is to take care of me and babysit me. I’ve got Gena Franklin – her job description is to take care of Harley and babysit Harley and Mule. Gena rode Harley as a 3-year-old; she’s got as strong a bond with him as anybody. I’ll have Kathy Butkovic, she’s got Equi-Sports Therapy, and Kelley Mills. This time right now is so critical for me, soaking up and developing an excess and a reservoir of mental preparedness, because there’s not going to be any one-on-one time for me and Rhonda Byrne and the Bible. I’ve never been to Vegas, I’ve just heard about it. With all of the emotions that come with making it to the Thomas & Mack, is there anything about it that scares you? I know I’ll come up against things that are new, probably some things I hadn’t considered or thought about. But I’ve got this deal about fear, it just don’t hang out around me much. I don’t know what it is, but they say that perfect faith casts out fear. My faith’s not perfect, but I have a pretty even spoonful of it. What’s your strongest emotion? Gratitude. I’m so thankful for where I’m at, and like I said, there may be some people in awe of what I got done, but there ain’t none of them in as much awe as I am. But for the grace of God, where would I be? What would I be doing now? There’s no such thing as a self-made man, in my opinion, and I sure won’t ever claim that title. Maybe if I had a fear, and I wouldn’t call it a fear, but my concern would be disappointing the people that are looking at what we’re doing. There are a lot of people on Facebook, and I don’t know where they get it but the word “inspiration” keeps coming up. I guess my greatest concern would be letting them down. But that’s secondary, because if I let them down I’ve let Harley down first. I’m not going to let them put an undue amount of pressure on us. When I came out of the arena at Albuquerque last year, I knew I’d missed it. My ex-husband called me, and said, “You’ve worked hard, gone above and beyond the call of duty, and busted your tail. Not making it to the NFR, I can understand your sadness. I’m going to give you one hour for your pity party, then I’m going to call you back and you can go on and be grateful for what you did get done.” Harley has taken me places I didn’t think I could hang with him to get to. I’m going to shoot for the moon and if I miss, I might hit the side of the barn. Just getting there is big, but every round is another rodeo, and I know how I am, when I hit the alley at the rodeo, it’s really hard not to try to win something. I’m going to go out there and do the best I can by Harley, uphold my end of the deal, expect him to uphold his end of the deal, and let the chips fall where they may.

I felt kind of bad that she spoke of folks thinking of her as an inspiration as putting undue pressure on her.  That was not my intention at all.  In my previous post which does call her an "inspiration", here is the way I meant it.  I meant she makes me want to be a better person.  It's not so much what she did, it's how she did it.  She's just a person who makes her mind up and finds a way to get it done.  I know I should be more like that, have a little more drive, a bit more ambition.  I'm just sort of a fly by night and by the seat of my pants kind of girl, and make very few commitments.  She's not.  She sets her mind to something and then she gives 100 till she gets there.  No matter what happens to her in the NFR, she will not be letting me down.  She has already achieved a goal...to do all she could and do her best to qualify for the NFR, to get there...that deal is done.  Truly I do not know if her goal was or is to win it.  I suspect it is to do the best she can and give it everything she's got.  I know that she will do that.  I couldn't be any prouder for her probably than I already am.  Along with me, I think the folks she's referring to on FB are happy for her, want her to have fun, to do well, to stay healthy both she and Harley, and have the time of her life.  
Lee Ann my friend...
Leave those three barrels standing and the dirt flying and you and Harley just soak all that in like a sponge.  We'll be watching!

1 Thessalonians 1:3
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Encourage One Another, Continuing the journey on fresh paths.

Blessings and love to you!

Head 'Em Up, Move "Em Out" ...NFR/Vegas Bound!!!

Can you say speechless?  That's what I was last night when I opened up a little  paper bag with four NFR rodeo tickets in it and a note that said ....  "Surprise, your going to Las Vegas to the NFR!"

Christmas early this year will be two round trip tickets to Vegas, one for my daughter, one for me, two nights stay at the fabulous Bellagio, two nights and great seats at the NFR rodeo, a visit to "Fanfest", and some shopping at the famed "Cowboy Christmas"....ultimately, an all expense paid trip to the National Finals Rodeo!  That's a big ole "CHECK" off my bucket list!
Oh, and did I mention a very beautiful "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" outfit which included this Free People Antique Rose Cardi and raspberry top for Monday night which is the TEtoWP night!


OK, on top of an unbelievable trip, I get to spend three full days with my daughter.  She's been busy the last couple of years raising my grandson, Baby Gray, so we have not been able to get away to do much together by ourselves.  I'm as excited about that as I am the rodeo.  We took many vacations together when she was little and since she's been grown we've been to NYC three times together.  We do make good travel companions.

I'm excited...I'm beyond excited!  Next step is to shop my closet for other outfits that'll be perfect to take and to start thinking about packing.  

I'll have to let Lee Ann know I'm coming.  I've already thought about what to put on the sign we'll make for her...maybe--

"LEAVE YOUR THREE BARRELS UP AND THE DIRT FLYING LEE ANN"
(her motto is "three barrels and dirt".  

Oh and Gotta get a pupsitter for Ikey!  Anyone want to volunteer?  

Right now if you drove by you'd just see me sitting on the front porch...smiling!

Psalm 23-26
The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
Though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
I was young and now I am old, 
Yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be a blessing.  

Encourage One Another

Blessings and Love to you...

Previous blog link   

http://thegoodlife54.blogspot.com/2012/09/an-inspiring-story-and-lesson-learned.html

AND

http://thegoodlife54.blogspot.com/2012/10/updatean-inspiring-story.html

    

An Inspiring Story AND a Lesson Learned

"Grit" a positive, non-cognitive trait, based on an individual’s passion for a particular long-term goal or endstate coupled with a powerful motivation to achieve their respective objective. This perseverance of effort promotes the overcoming of obstacles or challenges that lie within a gritty individual’s path to accomplishment and serves as a driving force in achievement realization; "perseverance," "hardiness," "resilience,” “ambition”.

A woman with grit, determination, and a passionate desire, that's how I would describe Lee Ann Rust.   The definition of grit above could not more positively identify her I don't think, including powerful motivation!

Last year at the NFR, I saw the barrel racing rookie of the year, Lee Ann Rust, step forward and accept her belt buckle.  She inspired me.  As I read her story, she seemed like a great person to know.  She's close to my age and when at the time in her life she actually could, and when she had a fabulous horse that might could take her, she set her mind on running barrels at the NFR.  I guess almost every girl who has ever barrel raced has a desire and a dream to run in the National Finals Rodeo!  I know I have had that dream.  As I began to follow her, I realized she was coming to Odessa to run in the rodeo there.  I decided to try to meet her.  I found her on Facebook and we "became" friends.  We had numerous conversations via email.  Lee Ann is a strong believer in "The Secret".  You'll have to read the book but it's about how your thoughts attract your outcome.  Since she was coming to my area, I invited her to sleep over and have a home cooked meal.  I figured she would probably be tired and need a comfortable bed to sleep in and a hot shower.  Unfortunate weather occurred and it snowed in Odessa and Midland.  Staying off the road was the best thing that evening.                 

I was able however to drive over to see her run the next morning.  The weather was cold, but sunny.

Harley and Lee Ann coming clean around the first barrel in Odessa, Texas 2012.  Unfortunately she hit the second barrel and did not get a time.

I walked over and met her at her trailer.  We visited and she showed me around.  We then went into the barn and I met Harley.  Here he is modeling the new halter he won at the Texas Circuit Finals just before the end of his first year of competition for the NFR.  Just listening to her talk about her upcoming week and her upcoming year wore me out.  Watching her load all her stuff up, load Harley, manipulate that huge rig around all the other rigs was just this side of crazy.  It is a LOT of work.  You HAVE to be on a mission to work that hard.  And Lee Ann is truly on a mission.

Just as Lee Ann was about to leave, a gal on horseback snapped this photo of us.  Me and Lee Ann, standing outside the barn after her run at the Odessa Rodeo.  She's a great gal I am blessed to have met her.

The lesson for me?  While I would love to hear my name called out in the "Thomas and Mack" arena in Las Vegas, after watching Lee Ann document her travels on Facebook since January, I don't believe I have in me what she has in her.  That's not necessarily a bad thing for me, it's a lesson in how hard those girls work and how deserving those girls are that make it to the Thomas and Mack.  They have ridden many a barrel pattern and traveled thousands of miles across the United States and into Canada to accomplish what they have.  It is not just fun, it is hard work.  It is their job more or less and they have to love it to do it.   I'm impressed, I'm astonished, and I'm amazed.  I'd had a little thought of wishing Lee Ann would have asked me to "ride along" so I could have documented the hard work of a barrel racing rodeo cowgirl, but I'm not sure I could have even done that.  She had many sleepless days and nights getting from one place to the other.  She did a good job of letting her FB fans know how she did and where she was on the road.  Everything you read or hear about her every where she goes states what a great gal she is.  She never meets a stranger.

While I am still prayerful that I have not run in my last barrel racing in competition, I am doubtful it will be at the NFR.  But I am grateful to know someone who will be!

Lee Ann is currently sitting at #12 in the Women's Pro Rodeo Association standings for barrel racing with close to $70K in winnings.  The top 15 barrel racers qualify.  Unless something unforeseeable happens, you and I will be watching my friend Lee Ann compete in the 2012 NFR.

To Lee Ann, who I am priviledged to call friend, my hat is it off to you!  Although I would love to go to Vegas (maybe still maybe) and cheer you on in person, you can be sure I'll be hollering and crying with excitement from my living room in south central Texas as you round every barrel.  I'll be living vicariously through you, each time you come down that famous narrow, long, blind alley at the Thomas and Mack.  On day number 10, as you round that third barrel for the last time, give Harley a little kick for me, as I urge you on.  I'll be prayerful for all clean runs and that you'll be picking up a big check and a saddle, and hopeful you'll soon be headed home for a good rest, a home cooked meal and some green pastures for Harley.

"You are a great champion; when you ran the ground shook; the sky opened and mere mortals parted, parted the way to victory where you'll meet me in the winners circle and I'll put a blanket of flowers on your back." from DREAMER

2 Peter 1:5-7

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.

Explore; Dream; Discover!

I found this quote a couple of years ago while looking at a website in preparation to travel to Big Bend.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did.  So throw off the bowlines.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover."  Mark Twain, 1879

I remember thinking, if I don't want to look back and regret what I didn't do I  better get started.  In twenty years, I'll be 78 and much less likely to be able to do things I could do now.  

On my list (in no particular list) is a white water rafting and camping trip.  The kind where you go and you raft and the guides do most of the other work like cooking, preparing the campsite, etc.  Many of these are in Utah on the Snake River.  I have rafted the Snake but not camped.  I'd like to do something I would need to be "fit" to do and do a good job.  




I'd also like to go on a (wild) horse round up.  Somewhere in the high country where they gather the horses for the winter.  They don't even really need to be wild, just wild at heart.  

I'd like to go on a women's trail ride, just women, once again with someone doing most of the work and me just doing the riding.  I'd even be willing to do the work if there was someone to show me how and or what to do.  I can always cook, just don't have the equipment to do this on my own. 

I'd like to go back to Italy.  I'd like to stay a month and get a job there and live the life and eat the food and speak the language.  I'd like to be an Italian for a month! 

It

I'd like to see the northern New York countryside and spend some days just driving around.  I'd like to visit NYC about a million more times.   

And of course mosey on to Las Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo starting the first weekend in December every year.  I have no idea how long I've wanted to go to the NFR, but it's been a long time.  It's the best of the best in rodeo, doing their best to win the best, most valuable buckle of them all.  Of course, the barrel racing is where my heart just pounds as they run and I literally cheer them on from my living room.  One day I plan to actually be there cheering them on.  

While just a start, and it's fairly short, looks like I have some homework to do.  Next summer is just around the corner and this year isn't over yet!   

Acts 2:17
“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.