Sunday, November 18, 2012

Weekly Update

Seems I don't have much to post here lately. We are in down-time. After the last barrel race, I turned the horses out and decided that I was going to take the month of November completely off. Of the horses, Moon is really the only one that needs some complete down-time.... but I was feeling rather tired and burned out myself...so I gave myself permission to just not ride for almost a whole month.

Since I am going to be rodeoing in Arizona this winter, this month is really the only time I have to just put the ponies on the back burner, get caught up on other stuff and Yes...Veg out a little bit. The first of December I will have to get back to it to have horses ready.

At first, I felt a little guilty because the weather is still quite beautiful here. Technically I felt like I should be working horses before 'winter' sets in...But once I put everything into perspective...I have just been able to focus on using my time to do a multitude of other things...ya know...all of those things that get put on the back burner because of the horses. 

My hubby was home for a couple of weeks and we busted butt to get all of the fall yard work done, I cleaned and re-organized my shed, and my garage and we finally got started on organizing his shop.

And after many years of wanting too, but never seeming to find the time to just set down and get started...

I started sewing again!

Anybody that sews or does any kind of crafting knows that sometimes the toughest part is just getting started. While cleaning out my garage, I unpacked all of the fabric I have carted around with me these last few years, had to wash it all and then get organized. My poor hubby lived with piles of fabric all over the living room floor for weeks until I finally got the urge to start sewing. 

It was not going so well at first. I had bought a brand new machine several years ago and never really used it. I had hell figuring it all out again...and seemed to be working with some jinxed fabric...

When I finally got pissed off, ditched that fabric and started a new project and didn't have any more problems, I realized it was really only the thread I had been using that was the problem. It was old and had gotten dusty. It kept binding up my machine.

I've been sewing like mad every since...

 Four western shirts, finished, except for needing to order the colored pearl buttons I want for them.

A few years ago (like 5 or 6 years LOL) I bought this fabric my mom really liked to make her some pillow cases...
 Those are finally done and I will be able to give them to her at Thanksgiving. 

I also finished up a fuzzy blanket that I started for Megan, way back when. 

And whipped out a couple pairs of flannel pj bottoms...more material I had bought eons ago and never did. 

So I have made a heck of a dent in my existing fabrics and finished up all of the projects that I had on my mind when I packed it all away so long ago. Yay!! Now that I have everything organized again and can leave my stuff set up, I can just work on a project a little here and a little there...and I have a lot more ideas for more western shirts. I should have a whole new wardrobe for next year's rodeo season....at a fraction of the cost it would take to go out and buy it. Yesssss!!! Some new jeans, new soles on the bottoms of my boots and I am s.e.t. (LOL)

I suppose I do feel a little guilty about not having Gunner riding better before hauling him back to SD, but not horribly so. He's gentle, saddles, bridles, ponies and can be ridden at a walk and trot. Whenever it's time to go on with him...he'll remember all of that solid groundwork. 

Turning horses out has given me an opportunity to see how the herd dynamic works and I am having second thoughts about taking the big blue roan horse home. I call Rip, my benevolent dictator...and he is the ONLY horse Moon cannot put the run on. Rip rules the herd with a no-nonsense, not-putting-up-with-your bullshit attitude. He is not a bully...in fact when Moon gets after anyone else, they actually run to Rip for protection. Rip cocks his head at Moon and that is the end of his non-sense. And that is ALL Rip ever has to do...cock his head or pin an ear and everyone around straightens right up and acts like gentlemen. The most I have EVER seen him do is lift a hind leg. He never kicks at anyone or charges at them. He is the boss and he is also security. I think he will have to stay to keep the herd dynamics in balance. 

So it's just Gunner and Beretta that are going home for the winter. Meg and I will be hauling them back this week. Timing worked out that we get to go home for Thanksgiving and spend it with the family. 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!!!


PS...I am sorry to the people who really hate the word verification...But my email is getting swamped with Spam and I am tired of it. I am putting word verification back on the comment section. 



8 comments:

in2paints said...

I am impressed by your sewing abilities! I've been doing a little bit of home-made show clothing stuff myself, but I am FAR from having even one shirt half done. Want to come give me a lesson? :)

I think a break from riding is good every now and then. I feel really guilty too when I'm not riding, but sometimes you just need to give yourself permission to relax and work on something else. My wedding gave me that, although I didn't get much veg time...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Crystal said...

Sonds like progressive down time I would say. I tried making a western shirt years ago but of course picked fabric that was horrible to match, not a good choice for the first one. I may have to get motivated to try again, I too have gobs of fabric sitting around. I have been getting lots of span in my email as well, its frusterating.

Cut-N-Jump said...

Can I send the pattern and fabric to you for my next outfit? I need it by March so no rush... Did I mention the hat too? Yeah, not asking much huh? I did get this one done in time and then the CDE got cancelled. Sigh...

Dang woman those shirts are Awesome! Is there anything you can't do? My mom ordered the pearly snaps from a place online. Good quality, fairly cheap and you got a whole bunch. I will ask her the company name again and pass it on. You can hate me for it as your pile of project stuff grows and the checkbook shrinks. I'm good with that.

So when are ya comin down to ride with me and Nuzz? I have an ADT in January and Febraury. Reasonably close and I need a 'gator. I have a helmet. You game???

Paint Girl said...

I think it's fantastic that you are making your own shirts and they look awesome! And it's a definite plus when it saves you money!!
A riding break is always good. Unfortunately my riding break extends throughout winter and I hate that.
Have a safe trip and a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Shirley said...

I used to sew a lot, I had trouble finding shirts that had long enough arms, and then they came up with performance length sleeves- perfect! I'd sew more but I really have no place to set up where I can leave things up. Maybe when my art studio is finished it can double as a sewing room.
Curious to know if WV does stop the spam- let us know.
Pictures. You can always do photo posts! I'd love to see some of Rip doing his herd boss routine. And not riding? Well, I bet the horses are fine with that!

Cut-N-Jump said...

I checked with my mom and she said Bee Lee out of Dallas is where she bought her supply of snaps. A gross order of one color runs about $20. You can also order a gross and mix up the colors as needed. Snaps are not all they have...

Nuzzling Muzzles said...

Really good job on those shirts. That purple and blue are my favorite colors. I used to sew clothes, but it was such a struggle for me. Let me know when you will be competing in my area. I'll come watch.

Nuzzling Muzzles said...

Oh, and I'll take pictures too... on a very fast shutter speed.