Cinderella's Cowboy Hat

     Something about my Grandpa always made me feel like a princess. He was such an amazing man, who I dearly miss.
     My recent visit to Seattle meant seeing my little sister, who brought me some special gifts.
     The most important one to me...my Grandpa's dancing hat. He was a true cowboy from his Stetson hat to his worn cowboy boots.
     Well, it turns out that his dancing hat didn't fit anyone else in the family, and, of course, no one expected it to fit me, but when I tried it on...it was a PERFECT fit! And, trust me that's something with all that hair I have, right?
     I just cried when it fit me! It makes me want to write a children's book about the story, and I just might.
     I miss you Grandpa. I miss dancing on your feet, when I was a little girl. I now wear your dancing hat proudly.

Whatta week...coming up!

     So, we have a BUSY week ahead of us!
     Football games (INCLUDING the Backyard Brawl III!), a volleyball game, pep assembly, tailgate party, birthday parties, Girl Scouts, and then it is finished with a trip to Seattle.
     I'm tired thinking about it! LOL! But, it will be fun; that much I know for sure!

Perfect weekend!

     It feels like this weekend has gone on for days! LOL, but I say that in a good way!
     Thursday I drove to Leavenworth, watched Jordie play football, and then he came and stayed with me at my best friend Marti's house. That was a good time, as always!
     Then I drove home and got all ready to go to Chelan with the cheerleaders and our rooter bus to go to the football game. Unfortunately we lost the game, but we have good fans, and it was a good time! Jordie came up to the game and rode back with us on the rooter bus, yeah!
     Saturday we went to the Autum Leaf Walk. I loved doing that! This year was my first time, and I definitely know it will not be my last. My cheerleading team and our Bulldog went, so we had a super time with everyone. What I really liked about the walk the most was just seeing so many friends from the community there! It felt like one big get together.
     It's so amazing to me how many people I have met and know! I know I have said this before but I feel my family and I are so loved and accepted here! Good people all around us.
     Yesterday after we got home from the walk, we messed around the house, and then we took Jordie back to Chelan. We always have fun car rides! Ricky went with us, and he just cracks me up.
     After we returned from the Chelan trip, we went and rode horses. I saddled my horse all by myself, and I was able to mount no problem. We went out for a long ride. Then we galloped up and down hills...what a blast!
     I have trotted a lot, and I have done some galloping, but not like yesterday! Yeehaw! I found out that I love that feeling of reckless abandon!!!
     When we returned home, I was about out of breath with all the excitment, and I decided to ride Joe in the field more, so I galloped him all around. I was laughing so hard because it was such fun, well, maybe nervous fun! I told Rick that riding Joe like that felt like as if I were driving a motorcycle on the road at 80 mph with NO hands!!!!
     I know I am an andrenaline junky, but my oh my! I can really get into this horse riding!!
     My saddle is too small. I have found the exact saddle I want, and I am saving the money to buy it, but for now, I just use the one we have. However, I know I will feel safer when I have a saddle that fits properly.
     After our horseback riding, we did a bunch of winterizing around the place, and some other chores.
     Our very good friends, the Lockwoods called, and we headed over to their home. We always have fun when we go to their place! We laughed, chatted, listened to big hair bands, and played Phase 10, which the girls kicked butt, of course.
     I am excited for the fun things upcoming that we planned, liked going to the Taste of Two Valleys auction (this is a tradition for us),and then we are going to a fun Halloween party! Gotta start working on the costume ideas!
     Today I was a BUM! I slept in until after 11! I can't remember the last time I did that. WOW, what a treat.
     I mostly lounged around, and then finally I went out and saddled Joe and headed out for a ride on my own. It was perfect weather and so relaxing.
     I came home and did stuff that I needed to in order to prepare for the busy week ahead. And, boy it's busy!
     Now, we have the little one tucked away and fast asleep, after our nightly reading, and Ricky and I are watching E.T. (I forgot how much I LOVE this movie.)
     Perfect, indeed.

Truly GREEN

     Today I had the pleasure of hosting Washington State's poet laureate Sam Green in my classroom for two periods.
     What's super cool about that is he will also be back in my room tomorrow, and I am excited to see what he has in store for us.
     The Methow Valley Arts Alliance sponsors his visit to local schools, and I am lucky to be a part of this visit.
     Sam has a story to tell. He does so with the magic movement of words, whether on paper or in the poetry of his candid discussion that at times feels like a stand-up comedian.
     Today as I sat and listened to him, I thought to myself, "What he just said sounds like a poem, and yet I know it wasn't."
     Everything about him breathes lyrical. I love it. He inspires me to return to writing poetry, and I know he touched his teenage audience.
     Sam lives on Waldron Island off the "grid" and truly green, just like his last name.
     You know, it really doesn't surprise me that he has published 10 books of poetry! His life is filled with such interesting experiences.
     We did this cool exercise today...check it out on my other blog!
     I can't wait until tomorrow!

Bareback all the way, especially in October!

     Tonight we went for a ride, and because we wanted to hurry before darkness took over, we decided to go bareback.
     I am happy to say that even when Joe thought MAYBE he didn't want to go, I was able to get him to go where he was supposed to, and all while I was bareback.
     I thought that I needed the saddle, but really I didn't, and a GREAT reason to ride bareback is to stay warm!
     I couldn't believe how much warmer I was (it's getting cold, cold, cold)!!
     So, two good reasons for me to go bareback tonight, one being to keep warm, and then I also once again built up my confidence, woo hoo!

Guten Tag!

     I had the best visit to L-Town this past weekend!!!!! We went to see Jordie play some football (in the pouring down rain). We stayed with my good friend, and I cherish visits with her.
     We did the whole tourist thing because our youngest hadn't been there before. You have never seen something so cute as watching a 6-year-old's eyes in the Wood Shop!!!! We also hit up some of my favorite places: Candle Connection, Taffy Shop, Clock Shop, etc.
     We got there super early since it was Oktoberfest! But, that strategy worked because we had NO crowds or lines!
     I was also fortunate enough to know all the people who own those stores, so I even was given a locals' discount! I guess since my heart is there, I still count as a local!
     We had such a great visit, that I am going to make plans for all of us to return, and I want to bring my mother-in-law there, too.
     Now, I can't just decide if we should go in November of January.
     I am headed back for a quick trip this next week to watch Jordie play again, but this will be a solo trip.
     I love living here, especially at our place, our little farm, but I love and miss my Leavenworth, and my river!

Kinda quiet, mostly busy

     I haven't blogged in what feels like forever. Mostly I think this lack of writing has been related to a surge in busy!
     I love the Fall. I love the weather. I love football and cheerleading. I love to ride my horse at dusk. I love to snuggle inside on the couch. I love to read a book. I love to drink coffee from one of my MANY cups (I have a ginormous collection.). I love to go for drives. I love to spend time with family. I love to teach. I love to read. I love to write. And, I even remembered that I love to blog.