Still More Rodeo

There are lots of events at a rodeo. Here we have Team Roping. The idea is for one cowboy to lasso the horns and the other to get the back feet. The calf won in every instance. I don't know how they ever do it. It looks nigh unto impossible!

The One That Got Away

Next up was Bronc' Bustin'. These guys are nuts. It looks spine jarring not to mention you could get trampled by a horse!

Kickin' Bronc'

Still Hangin' On

In the Air

 This guy was still hanging on when the buzzer sounded but that isn't the only thing that determines the winner. The rider gets a score and then there's a score for the ride the horse gave and they are added together. It's much more complicated than I ever thought!   

More Visitors

 And then more folks came along from the rodeo people and this time they were bearing a wonderful gift. It's a blanket embroidered with this year's logo. And it's a warm blanket too. I've already tried it out. 8^)

Blessings,
gk

More Rodeo Pics

Bronco bustin'

Steer Won

Steer Wrestlin'

I don't know how they stay on those broncos at all!

Most of the steers won but that guy on the left got his down finally.
















Then there were the kids......

Mutton bustin'

There were lots of adults around making sure the kids didn't get hurt. One refused after they got out there and looked around at the arena. I don't blame that little one at all! In the end every child got a BIG trophy and the big winner also got a belt buckle. In case you didn't know, the right belt buckle is a very big deal for cowboys. This buckle was big enough that the child may have to grow into it.

Then, of course, there are always people to meet. It was nice to get to thank the committee that invited the military leaders for the evening. The guy on the right is Buster. He and his wife, Katie, were there with us the whole evening. Katie told me that they are there every night during rodeo. Wow!

Bob with the Guys

Blessings today!
gk

RODEO San Antonio Style!!!

I secretly wanted to go to the rodeo but I figured Bob would never buy the idea so I didn't even bring it up. What a nice surprise when he came home with free tickets! The San Antonio Stock and Rodeo Show honored the military Friday night. We were the fantastically fortunate recipients of tickets for box seats up top and center. I have never been up in the box seats and didn't really have any idea what they were like. Let me tell you, it was GREAT!! There was plenty of food and drink. Jo met us downstairs and handed us off to another lady who took us straight up to our seats, no having to figure out anything at all. Everyone was so incredibly gracious.

This girl from Muleshoe, who has hardly ever been near a horse, loved seeing all the animals and hearing the 'country' talk. Yee Haw!!!

Jo met us

Up top and center

 Jo is a little blurry but I was concentrating on her bling. Every year there's a new emblem issued and she was wearing all of hers. This year it's the words San Antonio with the S shaped like a hat.   Check out that food there by Bob. It was yummy!

Opening moments

Stupid me did not think to charge my camera battery during the day. It was about gone so I was lucky to get any pictures at all! I did manage to get a few though. 8^) Check out Bob in his Navy 'aquaflage' uniform during the opening. All the top military were introduced and then this guy did an extra fine job with the Star Spangled Banner. I don't think I've ever heard a guy sing that song at a public ceremony!

Lotsa Horses!

The palomino horses have real silver saddles. Talk about bling! They were really flashy!

Rear Admiral Kiser's Introduction

Star Spangled Banner

I have lots more but that's probably enough for now. Gotta get all I can out of this. After all, how many times does a girl get to go to the San Antonio Rodeo?!

Blessings,
gk

Window Visitor

There's a window very near my computer desk and this window has a pipe next to it that runs up the side of the house. The pipe is covered in black foam insulation so maybe it's for water but I really have no idea what it's for. I _can_ tell you that the squirrels use it to climb up and down the house. I've tried to get photos of this before. Today I finally did it!

Window visitor

Heard my clicky sounds

End of discussion

Squirrels are so fascinating to me. They are always so busy and so curious. Except for the busy part I can really identify with those furry little guys!

Blessings today,
gk

2nd Installment for Flight Path KAL

This whole Knit-a-Long thing may not be a good choice for me. I like to work with a mental image of the final product. On the other hand, if my piece turns out to not be so great, then I don't really feel too responsible since I didn't know! We are getting one new bit of pattern once a week. The orange border is the latest bit. It's knit so that when you turn it under it makes this nice little picot edge. I may have to try this on the bottom of a sweater and/or on the sleeves because I really like the look.

Flight path, 2nd installment

Reverse side

The orange is really more of that dark orange on the left side in the second photo. See how the orange is folded in half and stitched together about an inch from the edge? Interesting. I really want to know what's next. I really want to know NOW. Sigh.


Blessings,
gk

Out of Control!

So, my life seems to be spiraling along without any input from me. Maybe I have some responsibility but I don't see it. I did all I can do on the whole identity theft thing and we still have the ongoing issue of my dad's widow suing his estate. She wants money or to live in the house. She has her own house. My dad's house is the only place my sister has to live. She can't afford anything else. I am now 1/3 owner of the house along with my brother and sister. It's all up to the courts. Pray our lawyer pleads a really good case!! Homestead laws may trump everything. More waiting.

Meanwhile my neighbor finally returned. She's the one I made the hat for and it just so happens to be a little chilly today so she really needs the hat. I think she looks really great in the hat!

Kellie

I'm so glad Kellie likes her hat and has a warm head now. Thank goodness her chemo is over and she is doing so much better. And she can think warm thoughts of me when she wears her new hat. Warm thoughts are always good! All of you think warm thoughts for me too. I need them in the worst way.

Blessings,
gk

Identity Crisis!

Low Risk?

So...Bob filled out all our tax stuff and sent it in online just like he's been doing for several years. Well, this year Turbotax sent an email letting us know that our filing was rejected. What??!! Turns out someone already filed with my social security number. The nerve!!!! Now life is starting to look a bit like this:

I wasn't really 'complaining'!

So now I'm a complainant. I've determined that it is WAY easier being the thief! It has taken a large chunk of the day to go online with various entities and then even more time to wait on the phone. I contacted the IRS, FTC, Experian (one of the three credit reporting firms), our bank at USAA (They are the most fantastic people in the whole world!!) and then a trip to the security station on post to file a complaint with the police. Unbelievable! I feel like I have signed my life away. Thank you Bob for doing all the preliminary checking and dealing with the Social Security Service!! Mwah!

My growing file of paperwork

The good news is that there is no evidence of any other activity and the IRS tells me that whether the fraudulent return gets money or owes money it should not affect us in any way other than forcing us to file by mail instead of online. We'll see. The down side is that this complicates loans for buying a house. Another 'we'll see'. Oy!!

More typical gray gloomy February weather. I could really use some sunshine about now!

Blessings,
gk