Old Red

After days like today I miss a dear companion of mine from my childhood. She has passed on since those blissful days, but we sure did have fun, went through so much, and trusted each other.

I miss those carefree days with my greatest sidekick old Red Dog. 15 years ago we were both in the best part of our lives. We would have spent today running through the orchards, chasing rabbits in the brush, or exploring an abandoned building. Just her and I in nature doing what we wanted. Many times we would sit by the pond behind the house watching ducks and fish, as she listened encouragingly to all my accomplishments, joys, sorrows and pains. She'd sit there with me as I poured my heart out to God. She would run and jump for joy when I was happy dancing around. Even when I was mad and pushed her a way she was understanding and loving when I was ready for her company again.

Today I wish you were with me old Red Dog. You got me through some pretty harsh times in my life like no one else could. I wish I could hug you and sit at that pond with you one more time. Thank you dear friend, there will never be any replacing you. One day I will see you again and we will run through the clouds together.

Home on the ranch.

Here at the Rocking GJ things are coming along slowly. We have been working on my in law's house so we can finish getting them moved, so we can start fixing up our cabin and building pens for the animals. I'm hoping to get started on that before fall really hits.

School started last week for my oldest three. The mornings are a lot earlier for us now. We are up by 4:45am getting ready then off to the bus stop by 6:10am. They seem to like their classes so far and I pray they all flourish. They don't really comprehend yet that they will graduate high school with most of these kids now because we aren't going anywhere.

We are still looking for work, but very hopeful we find something soon, very soon. We have phone bills, truck payments, and utilities that will be due, not to mention food, and all our resources are now tapped out. Pray something presents itself as soon as possible.

In adjacent to working on my in law's house, we have worked out a deal with a woman who runs a rescue for work in trade for goods that we need for our cabin, flooring, tiles, paint, etc. I am hoping we can also get a wood burning stove before it gets too cold here.

Not that we have seen much of a break from the heat here in central Texas, but my mind has already left summer behind and is preparing for cooler temperatures. I must prepare the children, cabin, and animals for it before the temperature drops. Luckily we purchased thick coats for the children at the end of the season last year when we found carhart like coats at 60% off. We were able to get them for roughly $17 each. Of course we bought them in bigger sizes than was needed at the time.

My children are seeming to adjust well to rural life so far. This week we are focusing on finishing the bathroom for my in laws. Next week I really want to set up a place for the kids to play that is all theirs. Ideally we will pull out all the underbrush, clean up the area from trash and fallen limbs, move the picnic table for them to be able to use and paint it with chalkboard paint, put up the swing set, and build a small fence possibly out of wooden pallets. At some point it would be nice to build them a fort to play in and store their outside toys in.

We walked around the front half of the property, which is where we are going to put most of our projects being that it is close to our cabin. It is beautiful and has a lot of potential, but needs a lot of work.

My love had a job interview this past Saturday and I am hopeful that I receive a call back today about a job. However we have more applications out and will be putting more in since nothing is definite yet.

A lot of people probably think I have forgotten about them or ignoring them. This is not the case and you are very much on my mind. Currently working is going on from sun up to sun down. Most of the time I have to make non-business calls is before 7am or after 9pm. So please don't take my silence offensive. I still love you very much.

Until next time we will be here living life Off the path, around a corner, and down a dirt road.

He fought for me

While I am an Army wife, granddaughter, sister, and cousin to many branches of service this entry is for my father and America.

Happy fourth of July to all my readers that still believe in the country that so many of our beloved citizens fought and or died for.

Here we are, my children and I at my parents house playing outside with my mother in the garden, drinking coffee. Later we will play in the pool, eat a few burgers, and watch fireworks. As a child I was kind of irritated every fourth of July because my dad never took part in our activities longer than a few minutes. Why did he not want to be part of our lives? Why did he always hide from us? Most holidays were like this.

I get it now daddy. You went to war more than once for your family and country. The crowds and noise are intense reminders of the things you went through multiple times which are going to forever be trapped in your mind. The battle for you will never end.

You went to war so that I would not have to see the devastation of battle. In hopes of defending us from terrorist foreign or domestic. So you could see your children and grandchildren live the American dream freely.

You and so many before you have left families and friends behind to join and pick up arms to defend us. Some of your brothers passed on in violent ways right before your eyes.

So for all the years I was mad at you for missing my game, award ceremony, the birth of my children, and family events, I am truly sorry for being so ignorant and childish and I forgive you for being absent. I can't ever thank you and all the service members that fought with honor and pride for America enough for your sacrifice. I love you and America.

Here in Texas!

Hello from Rockport Texas! We have had so much going on, but not nearly enough!

Every time we have had time to plant it has rained. It is getting frustrating to not get things accomplished due to the weather. I am determined to get our seedlings in the ground even if it is raining this week! Our vining plants, corn, and sunflowers are simply not going to wait for us any longer. 

Lucky's first litter of babies are due anytime now. I am very nervous on how she is going to handle birthing and motherhood. Pray everything goes smoothly for her and the babies.

This week we are welcoming six baby chicks, two cornish white, two rhode island reds, and two white leg horns. More prayers to hoping we ended up with a rooster in the bunch... and only one.

This week we also welcomed, my mare, Molly's long awaited foal. She had a beautiful healthy filly we have named Bell per my crazy girl Kayley's request.

We are also getting a cute little male blue heeler pup in a few weeks to add to our herd.

Sara ended up needing glasses when we went to the eye doctor last week. She picked out some cute blue frames. Kayley is officially potty trained and excited to be going to school next year. Michael Wayne is finally acting interested in the potty. Thomas is coming up with several new words a week. Logan had a boy scout camp this last weekend and had a blast! Everyone is hopeful Daddy will be home at least for a visit in 6-8weeks. We are having a great time staying with my grandmother. I start Spanish and algebra in college on the 7th. We are heading to visit my parents for a week on Thursday. I am going to start working on getting set up to be a scout leader for boy and girl scouts here soon too.

As y'all can tell we've got a lot going on around here getting a foundation for our new chapter in life started up. Now to iron out the wrinkles and get daddy home!

How much change is healthy for a person?

The little girl that changed my entire life several years ago just turned 8 the end of January. She was very excited with all her presents. She got a toy dog, a new fishing rod, a boombox, and an airsoft pistol.

Now we are back to reality. My cousin left this morning from our visit together and on the road to her new life with her husband and adorable son. I have an enormous amount of cleaning and packing to do still before the kids and I head to Texas. So much moving is going on not just with us but all around us.

I have also been considering other changes. Everyone probably knows I am currently majoring in environmental science with plans to transfer and major in agriculture.  The more and more I think about this though, and the more I progress my education the less it feels right. It seems like a ridiculous fantasy, but I feel that I should be writing to inspire people. People who have read my work before say mix things. Some people love my writing and question why I do not write more or get my work published. Other people are not as enthusiastic about my works and rate it very low. So I sit and ponder if I should stay on my current track or adventure to a less familiar path and write.