Hoss is coming to the Ponderosa

On Wednesday 5/5 Hoss will be rounding out the bunkhouse here at the Ponderosa. Some of you probably think we are crazy, and I've got to admit, I wonder myself...it is already a bit of a circus around here. Dira went into her first heat cycle a couple of days ago, so we have been shuffling dogs between the kennels and the garage to keep her separated from Booner. Anyone who knows Booner, knows he is too old to father puppies, but he is determined to keep trying and he is very vocal! We know one of the gals is cycling when Booner starts the moaning and carrying on. It is almost painful to listen to him, ya gotta love the big lug.

Today was a trip to the vet with Dira and Sadie, Dira got her microchip and Sadie got her shots. Both were a little unsure about the car ride and way too curious about all the smells in the vet's office. But they did great. Sadie weighed in at 67 lbs and Dira right behind her at 64 lbs.

Back to Hoss, he was born about 8 weeks ago in Kalispell, MT. He will be flying to us (big trip for the little guy) on Wednesday. We are excited about having him come to live with us, it will be exciting and a lot more work to have such a young fella, but I'm guessing he will fit right in. And now instead of 6 walks a day, there could be more or at least some wrastling (yes wrastling) to help him with the energy levels. Stay turned, more pictures to come.

My new job

I spent time in Sioux Falls, SD this week with my new team. We decided to take the opportunity to explore just alittle bit (well mostly the exploring was for me) They took me to the falls for which the city is named. I had no idea (guess I should have figured with the name, duh!) that the falls would be so beautiful and huge. As you can see from the pictures, spring run off is in full force. The building across the river is the old Queen Bee Mill, they thought at one point that they could harness the power of the falls to run the mill, that was in the spring, by the fall the water is just a trickle. The ruins are what is left of the mill, pretty cool place to spend the evening.

I am really loving my new job, it is a lot of work and a lot of learning, but this week it has really taken off, so it is getting fun. My team has been great to work with and I enjoy spending time with them, you gotta love the folks from this area and the "you betchas" I even slip sometimes. So in the picture from left to right are Pam, Jean, Jon (my boss) Dick and me. I figure I will be spending a fair amount of time in the upper midwest, so I better figure out everything thing I need to see and explore while I'm there.

Thoughts...

I have been struck lately by the resiliency of some people who are facing down life changing events. It makes me think about events in my own world and how they might not be as big a deal as I make them. I was looking through my box of positive affirmations today looking for something that would change my perspective a bit. It is sometimes difficult for me to stay on the positive side of the street, so I take all the help I can get (reminds me I need to down a couple of St. John's yet today...) anyway, here is the affirmation for today. If it fits, take it, if it doesn't well, keep moving along little doggy.

"I speak and think positively" "I listen to what I say. If I hear myself using negative or limiting words, I stop myself and change them"

She's here!

Dira made the long flight from Slovakia to Denver last week arriving, safe sound and happy to be in her new home. She is a great addition, after a little bit of growling and eyeing each other up, Dira and Sadie are best of friends. As you can see from the pictures, the one thing they definitely have in common is a love for orange balls and chasing after them. Our daily walks have increased from 2 to 4 or more, yes I have even lost a couple of pounds so far. I swear they would both run until they died. Yesterday we took them all for a long walk in the middle of the day, it was pretty warm, so as soon as they caught wind of the water, they were gone. Booner is the swimmer in the picture, but trust me, they were all in.

Dira is amazingly smart, she's a beautiful shiny black and about 11 months old. Sadie is a 2 year old sable and incredibly quick and athletic, I don't think I've ever seen a dog run as hard and as fast as she does. I looked out the window today to see Dira and Sadie wrestling on the front lawn, I'm glad they are such great friends already and Dira is so smart, she's bi-lingual!

All animals understand love. Welcome to the Sleepy Turtle Ranch Dira!

Happy Birthday Kary Berry Bean Blossom!

The most fun, hang around, take a few pictures, tour Europe, eat ice cream, bawl our eyes out, laughing, silliest, bestest sister around. Happy Birthday Karen!

Pink Popcorn

Bird and Monk Doo Doo

Way back when...seems like yesterday but a life time has passed. I had the opportunity to go to lunch with some old friends, I wish I had taken pictures of everyone. Paulette, Patty, Patty me and Teresa.

After high school, me and Teresa, aka Monk Doo Doo, worked together at Zions Bank in St. George, we had not seen each other since we both got married almost 30 years ago. What an awesome reunion for us. It seemed like almost no time had passed, although we have both lived many adventures and lifetimes. Very special, I love her tons.

Kicking off the day I got to spend a couple hours with Patty GB and what a treat to be able to wander through her old homestead, such great memories came flooding back as some things sparked times or memories and brought back pieces of childhood and growing up in the innocence of a small town. She probably doesn't realize how much I love and admire her, it was a treat to spend such great time, thanks Patty!

And Paulette, how do you stay so young looking????