Where's the song ~~ "Don't let your daughters grow up to marry a Cowboy" ?

​​​​​​​Life is tough! Requires hard physical work, long, long days of pain, dirt, and broken fingernails.​
​Days of frigid cold & scorching heat; through the dust & mud; daybreak into the darkness of nite~~​
​the heart & body becomes toughened & weathered replicating leather!​
​A forever constant factor for a real Cowboy's Wife is tons of sweat, oceans of tears and a constant 'drought' in the wallet!​
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​​​​​​​​​IF​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ she wants to spend anytime at all with her Cowboy, she must do as he does, you become partners!​
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​​​​​​Kick off your boots, grab a cup of coffee, sit back and envision yourself in my life!​
​... It really isn't that bad! There are many rewards to be had to make it a great lifestyle! ...​ ​​​​​​​


Sunday, August 23, 2009

GASP *&! ..GURGLE*@!

AHHHhhhhh! ... A breath at last!
It's been a l.o.n.g.......4 months since I posted...
Tonite I decided I very much needed to take a few moments, to see if blogging was still occuring or if some new form of communication had been developed in my absense.
~~~
FYI...I am in the market for a new calendar & clock!
Ones that will give me back some days and hours!
...and even some seasons!
I'd pay dearly...if someone can scrounge them up!
My last post was barely a month into Spring,
and here it is now a month until Autumn! WOW!
~~~
We have been working non stop since this new "adventure" came to us. Progress has been made, but it is slow, tedious and frustrating!
20+ years of neglect and abuse just may take forever
~if ever ~
to turn this place into half of what it was so long ago.
Do we have the stamina to do just that?
That is yet to be seen....
We promised ourselves we'd not push ourselves as in years past....
as it is not OUR place!
...but old habits are hard to break!
**
*
DON'T EVER EVER judge a book by it's cover!
Remember, we had not seen the inside of this house before we agreed to take on this new direction in our lives.
We Knew what we were getting into with the barns, pastures, fencing etc.
But the house?
Foolishly, we thought
"It's a brick house! What could be wrong?"
***
Well............we may not have said yes...
had we seen beyond the brick facade!
GRUELING beyond anything else we've tackled in our lifetime!
(and mind you, we have taken on many challenges...)
May 1 to July 1, was 7am - to wee hours of the night for me!
EVERY SINGLE DAY!

I cannot believe how some people live...and abuse!

The first night I "slept" here...on an air bed, I woke every 15 minutes unable to breathe!

At 2 am, I woke up Cowboy and told him that I'm too old to take on such a daunting task!
The grime, the filth, the stench! The next day, we called the owner and he scheduled a carpet cleaner for the following day.
~~~
This started a a huge snowball effect...
one which, to this day, has not quit rolling!
~~~
The night it was cleaned (they said it was the worst job they'd ever tackled!)
the urine smell was worse!
Cowboy's smeller doesn't work like mine,
maybe because he's around horse and cattle excretions all day,
but mine is fine tuned and it did not like what passed over the sensors!
I ended up sleeping in my car most of the night!
I came inside once to get a drink of water
...only to run to the toilet and puke!
I gathered my purse and the Yorkies,
ran back to the car and headed home to our other place!!
~~~
Needless to say, before anything could progress within these walls,
the old flooring had to be removed, the floors and walls
primered with Kilz...several times.
The one and half year old carpet & pad was sooooo saturated
with cat and dog urnine, one couldn't have salvadged a
'clean' square yard of it if one wanted to!!
That was just the beginning...........
many many other daunting challenges,
disgusting discoveries have come to face us since May 1.
Luckily, my job's starting date got put off until July 1
because she saw what we were faced with here!!
~~~
Our home an hour away, was becoming a burden...
watering, weeding etc...every waking hour and waning muscle
was needed for this place if it's ever to be comfortable
for us to make a positive 'go' of our choice to move here.
~~~
We pondered for sometime on what to do...
~~~
There are only so many hours in a day,
there is only four hands between us...
and the wanting for an "easier" life,
was increasingly becoming a tougher life!
~~~
So...we advertised on CraigsList...to lease our home out.
Within 2 days, a gal from Boise, Id. with 2 kids wanted to lease it and be closer to her family.
~~~
...As of last Wednesday....
that burden was taken off of our shoulders for the most part.
No extra hours have to be squeezed out of the week to tend to it;
no more double power bills, 2 yards to mow and maintain....
~~~
So tonite, after spending a whole day of doing nothing....
truly nothing,
I decided I'd make a post....and then take one hour each evening
after work, to try and catch up with all of my friends
in the world of Blogland!
I've missed out on a bunch I'm sure! I know of two young gals who probably already had their babies and I missed the big event!!!
I know of one who was getting married...and I've missed out on all the fun!
But....
this week, I'm hoping to catch up on all of you!
I've missed all of you!
This W.O.W. is definetly triple W.O.W. these days....
but not ready to hang it up or to be turned out to pasture...
...
maybe next week, I'll think so....

66 comments:

Pony Girl said...

Holy cow, what a project! I hope that we get to see some before and after pics at some point! Hang in there and welcome back to blogging, hope you stop in to keep us updated! :)

Sage said...

I was wondering how you were getting on... wish I was able to give you some of my time to give you a hand and to get a bit of your time back.. but will be thinking of you and to echo pony girl... welcome back to blogging you have been missed.

Gail said...

Glad you're back, you workaholic! I think that comes with the farmer's hat.

Glenda, saved by grace said...

so glad your still breathing...I had began to wonder!

Mrs. Mom said...

WoW!!!!! Boy is it ever fantastic to hear from you out there!!! Glad to hear that you and HOW are trucking along, and making some headway there.

You 2 take care out there, and keep us posted when you can! You still have an adoring fan club ;)

Much loves to you both!!

The Wife said...

Oh my. In my line of work, I go into some pretty nasty homes and some I can't make it thru the door. You did take on a huge task with that one. I always said I would hate to be the person to live in those houses next. Hope the worst is over and you have easier days ahead.

Missed you!

the7msn said...

It's probably too much to hope for that you and your husband will one day look back on this challenge and crack just a little smile, but it's certainly going to stand out as a character-builder. I hope the months ahead get easier for you. Welcome back.

Thistlebrooms said...

I'm SO glad that you've surfaced )in ONE piece???)out there in the World for us...My Monies on you BOTH...

Missed your Writings and YOU and do hope now you can come up to the surface and BREATHE a bit!!!
Let us know, maybe with some photo's how its Goin'...
Always My Best...Marilyn

Shirley said...

Yay! You're back!(Insert happy dance!) I know what you went through with the carpet - I just had to do the same thing. Ted tore the carpet out, I painted with Bin (same as Kilz) and he put laminate in. Much better! Hope you and Cowboy get some time to relax, and don't forget to breathe!

Dr.blogger said...

hello Barb welcome back again. How do you do with your job ? are you happy !!

Sarah said...

Yay! There you are! Wow, what a daunting task. And I can't blame you for sleeping out in your car! It sounds like you've taken on quite a project.
Meanwhile, the baby Bird was born on July 12th! I'll be posting a couple new pics today!
So glad you're back!

Maria said...

sooo happy to see you on my blogroll this morning! What a tough time, don't know if I could have done it, you are an inspiration for sure. How is your husbands knee's holding?

wordmama said...

Barb - saying I missed you would be the understatement of the year. I've often wondered about how you and cowboy were doing and how this new challenge has been unfolding. From the sounds of it, lesser folks definitely would have thrown up their hands in defeat! Why does it not surprise me that you and cowboy only worked harder!?! You two really are the salt of the earth - my kind of people!

I do believe I might be one of the preggos you mentioned. I'm happy to tell you that I've held off on the birth till you could join us once again! Not long now though!

So glad to have you back Barb! Missed ya like crazy!

Mikey said...

Bout time you came back! I can't even imagine that carpet. I've torn some out all urine stained, but I don't think anything THAT bad. Yikes!
Tough work!
Keep posting, we love to hear what you're up to :)

Emma Rose said...

Yay! You are back! We have really missed you. That project sounds like a lifetime commitment to me. You are so brave! How is the husbands knee holding up? We are looking forward to hearing all the stories!!!

Jiller said...

We missed you so much! I am sorry to hear that the project was a little more than you thought it would be! I am so glad you will be posting again!
Hugs from California

DesertHen said...

Hey Barb,

Missed ya lady! I have been thinking of you all summer and was so happy to see your update today! WOW...what a daunting work task you have undertaken with the house! I'm sure all will turn out well after many long hours of hard, laboring work! I have been off the blogging radar most of the summer. I sneak in a post now and then, but work has kept me so busy and the summer has flown by quickly! Our county fair is coming up next week and I'm currently swamped with fair prep and 4-H livestock prep as well! Well lunch hour is almost over, so I will bid you ado for now. So good hearing from you...=) Hugs to you and all the best to Cowboy. Hugs, Deserthen

Sherry Sikstrom said...

So glad you are back !!! yay!!! Hope things will become easier soon ,.I have missed you so much!
Hope you will have some quiet time to enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Sarah said...

I feel silly saying I have tears in my eyes but I do!!! I am SO happy to hear from you!

We're not too far away now and Josh has been going thru your town at least once a wk lately, thinking he should drop me off so I can come HELP you out!

Man, I've missed you.

I can only hope to one day have half your guys' work ethic. You're amazing!

Far Side of Fifty said...

WOW is it really you?? I guess it must be..you sound tuckered out. So good to see a post from you!! I was so excited!! I can't wait to hear more of your adventures!! Hope you like your new job, bet you have them all straightened out! :)

Anonymous said...

Glad you're back.....I've been going to send a posse out to find you!

Janice Thomson said...

Wonderful to hear from you Barb!
Glad to know aside from some very weary bones you are doing ok. Hope the project turns out to be everything you want it to be :)
Hugs and take care.

Rue said...

Mamma Barb!! It's so good to see you blogging!! I knew you must be up to your eyeballs with projects, but I HAD NO IDEA... WOW. Glad to hear things have settled down somewhat.

What did you miss??? We finally sold the house and we own PB&J Cottage!! Other than that just normal day to day stuff.

Anyway, glad to "see" you. I missed you!

(((hugs)))
DADR

Jenn said...

It sounds like these last few months have been a little rough on you! WOW. But it also sounds like it may be looking up and getting brighter. This has got to work out, it has to because you greatly deserve it. You might have a brain hemorrhage if you try to catch up reading my posts. LMAO. I will email you the basics when you give me your new email addy, jennganoe@msn.com and unfortunately blogger is getting replaced by a lot of regular bloggers by facebook and twitter... you were not too wrong there! I deleted my twitter account that site is for geeky twits and I don't get it but I kept facebook because I am hooked (believe this or not) on an online game called Mafia Wars. SIGH.
XOXO miss u internet sis
Jenn

Robynn's Ravings said...

Barb!!!!! It is SO GOOD to hear from you and see what you are (up to your eyeballs) doing! I can't imagine how you've survived but, knowing you, I'm NOT surprised you DID survive. I have thought about you often and wondered if you'd come back and let us know what was going on. I'm glad you're here among us! Can't wait to find out more. Missed you!!!

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

Barb !!!!!! Your bac-k-k-k-k--k !! I am so glad . I sure did miss you girl ! You have been working too too hard , you need to take a rest . It is hard to believe some people live the way they do.

LL said...

That's it? That's all you've been doing? Sheesh... what have you been doing with all your free time? ;)

Good to see you WOWie...

Train Wreck said...

Thanks Dr. Jenn! (she emailed me you were back!) ((hugs)) I missed you.. I was a little worried as to where exactly you were? Man now I need to figure out everything I have been doing... I haven't had a free minute since my last post either. Love and missed you Glad you are back! Tell hubby howdy for me.

Heidi said...

I have MISSED YOU!!!!!!!!!! Glad to hear that you are going to be back in the saddle baby!

Jennifer said...

I just can't express how excited I am that you're back! I was beginning to wonder if you were ever coming back. I knew you'd be busy and working way too hard, but I was starting to worry.
It has to be a load off getting your house leased. It's tough enough with what you've taken on without worrying about your home being neglected.
My brother is in the flooring business and I've heard lots of horror stories of houses he's been in. Can you imagine how hard it is trying not to gag and vomit because the owners are watching you work?
I'm so happy you're back and can't wait to hear more!

City girl turned Country Girl said...

WOW is right LOL!! It definitely sounds like you have a mess on your hands!! I hope all is getting better and maybe you are finding more peace!!

That Janie Girl said...

I figured y'all got there and it was WAY more than you expected.

Glad you're back and breathing clean air!

Lynne Eve Grossman said...

Gr8t to see you! Welcoming hugs ((((Barb)))).Thought you were busy, but this is above and beyond. You have dedication, tenacity, and motivation with capitals "D", "T", and "M."You guys put the energizer bunnies to shame. Glad you found someone to rent your place.

Lea and her Mustangs said...

I was excited to see you were back. Sorry for all your work, thats rotten I know from experience. Hope things are even a teensy bit easier from here on.

Dr.blogger said...

hello again, my school is very good I'm going to "3 stage" this year , and I succeeded this year with good marks. And thank you for your lovely comment dear...
have a good day and don't tired yourself with work, take rest from time to time and keep safe

GeckoGirl said...

Holy COWS!!! What a task to take on!! I think I would have run screaming from the room and hot footed it to the nearest scrub station for ridding myself of contamination PRONTO! Or I would have worn a scuba suit and blasted the heck out of the house with a hose and bleach!! Good to see you resurfaced into our blogging world; and that you can still breathe!! Put a little Vicks vapor rub under your nose to block the nasty smellies!! Good to have you back!! (((Hugs))) to you both! Teresa

Tatersmama said...

About time woman! I've got a cup of coffee here for ya, if you don't mind it cold.
And after all this time, a bit scummy to boot.
But I guess in light of all you've been through lately, you deserve a nice fresh, hot cuppa joe!

Wow... the trials and tribulations you've been through simply astound me, but if there's anyone with the get up and go to tackle it head on... it's YOU!

Glad to see you back, darlin'!!!
xoxoxoxox

Jenn said...

and poof she is gone again.

Liz said...

Barab you are one amazing lady and so is the cowboy. One heck of a project to take on. You just blow me away.

Hang in there and yes I've missed your posts.

Take care there
Liz

Tatersmama said...

Okay, where did ya go now?
I even had the Old Guy buy a new coffee machine and all... ;-(

Hun, if I was in the neighborhood, (okay, well the country) I would be over there in a heartbeat, to give you a hand!

xoxoxo

Maggie said...

I'm so glad to see you back! I've been sending positive thoughts and energy your way for months now! Good luck and stay your sweet self and i know it will all work out.

I've missed you so much! [even tho Im no longer a westerner, I still want my WOW! ;) ]

gtyyup said...

Life has been busy this summer for most...but you especially!!! I even missed this post two weeks ago...glad I spotted it!

Many thoughts of strength and courage coming your way~~((hugs)) too!

connie said...

Dear Barbara - just thought I'd pop in again and there was a post. You and cowboy are obviously the type of people who are up to most challenges that are put in front of you and this most recent one sounds absolutely huge! Remember to take time to stand back and review your 'life's goals' - too soon, we can find ourselves heading into late middle age and realizing that there aren't that many precious years to go. Make sure that your days are really spent with the things that you want them spent on.
Much love
Connie

Jenn said...

drumming fingers.

Janice said...

Glad your back. I was just starting to get into your blog and you disappeared, now I know why. I hope there are some before and after shots.

Paula said...

Mercy Sakers! What a crazy summer you've had - so glad you are back! Praying for strength, energy, and good sleep. Amen!

Blessings~
P.

Tardevil said...

Let us hear from you again so we know you're ok! Glad you were able to lease your place. I'm sure that's a relief!

Tatersmama said...

Well, I'm beginning to suspect that I'm not one of the lucky ones that you were planning on catching up on... *sob*
One quick little post along the lines of " piss off, can't you see I'm busy here?" would be nice! LOL!
Only jokin', my sweet little workaholic friend! ;-)

Anonymous said...

Barb I have been a little behind reading your blog. I enjoy it so much. I find the world an amazing place. You have given me an insight to a life I can only imagine. A life I imagined in the Early AMERICA, cowboys and indians and a hard way to go. I almost envy you. I love challenges. I love to see a dump become a home, a place of solace. I know you will get there. I can picture most of your life. I see you in long skirts with lots of slips (which I imagine is not true) probably jeans and boots. But I admire you and Thank YOu for your blog. It is so good.
Only in America can we see this diversity.
Sue

Far Side of Fifty said...

just popping by to say Happy Halloween..hope you get a chocolate bar! Miss ya! :)

Sarah said...

Knock knock...you still around? ☺

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

WoW, what a huge undertaking. I'm so glad ya'll survived the challenge. This Ozarks farm chick agrees wholeheartedly with the song. It's a tough life but a good life.

Ya'll have yourselves one gloriously blessed day!!!

Far Side of Fifty said...

Well, It will be Thanksgiving in a week.. just stopping by to say Hi.. Hope you are still waking up on the right side of the bed each morning and still able to feed yourself:)

Shirley said...

Hi Barb! December 1st today- how time does fly. I hope you and Cowboy are doing well, that he is staying healthy- worryin' about those knees, you know, - and that you are all set up for winter at the new place. Also hope that the lease of your homeplace worked out well, it's always tough to have a stranger in your home.

Train Wreck said...

Miss you plain and simple. Thoughts and prayers said daily for you and Cowboy((hugs))

karen said...

And x-mass is coming up soon ... what have you gotten into? Hope you and cowboy are all right! Here, life has been somewhat turbulent too. I promise I'll update my blog asap.

Heve not forgotten you!

Love,
Karen

LL said...

Seems like just a year ago you were a bawlin' about some sugar or some such...

Oh wait, it was a year ago, wasn't it. Well... I guess that means I need to get the ol' hotshot out and get you back to typin'. ;)

Hope you had a great day WOWie!

dickiebo said...

Christmas come and............no card!
New Year come and.............no card!
What the heck? Well, we're not gonna go away, so there!

Anonymous said...
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Tatersmama said...

Still checking in regularly... and NOT stalking, as you might think!
Just a quick note from me to you, to let you know I'm missin' ya!
xoxoxox

Tardevil said...

It seems you have stopped blogging. I just wanted to let you know that I'm taking you off my blogroll since you haven't updated in quite sometime, but if you decide to blog again, please let me know so that I can add you back! Thanks! Miss you! Tardevil

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