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!​
​​
​​
​​
​​​​​​​​​IF​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ she wants to spend anytime at all with her Cowboy, she must do as he does, you become partners!​
​​
​​
​​
​​
​​​​​​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! ...​ ​​​​​​​


Showing posts with label Careers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Careers. Show all posts

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Time and Circumstances…

…can changes dreams and perspectives.

After "that incident in July", I quickly sent out an “APB” email across our vast array of family and friends without Cowboy’s knowledge. Soon afterwards, a suggestion came in. I did some careful research before approaching him about the possibility of him pursuing this suggestion. We spent many hours discussing this. We did a thorough assessment of our finances and the decision was made to give it a try.
For 3 ½ months now, my Cowboy has been studying faithfully, taking his exams on line.
To his amazement, as he does not touch the computer if he can help it,
he passed the “book learning” phase with a 96%.
The toughest part was yet to come.
*
The first week of November would consist of an arduous test of his will.
The immense challenge to leave the comforts and sanctuary of his home boundaries
for the west side of the state would have to be achieved.
Another, would be the application of his book learning,
to the hands-on experiences that will be taught.
The most difficult part of this phase, will require Cowboy to interweave with others that do not come from the same walks of life, the simple isolation that he’s accustomed to.
Don't misunderstand me, he is very much a people person and everybody loves him.
He can meld with all types of people easily, when he chooses the circumstances and environment.
At the control of others, his shy side takes over.
If he isn’t made to feel inferior, his personality will blossom profusely.
This, is my concern.
Knowing where he is and who will share in this learning environment
may not allow that process to happen easily. My fingers are crossed for him.
*
This being the first week of November, my sweet Cowboy left several days ago for a weeks worth of hands on application in a “step” towards our future….. we hope!
He had to enter a world in which he feels completely out of his element, his comfort zone.
The metropolis of Seattle and it's suberbs!!
*
Cowboy is comfortable driving dusty country roads while encountering only a
minute number of cars, each containing waving hands and smiling faces.
The bumper to bumper cluster of vehicles without the same slow courtesy,
will add stress to his days. Luckily, Our Son has a friend that lives about 5 miles from Cowboy’s daily destination and he is staying there (which to Cowboy will feel like 500 miles!).
Thankfully, he has a friendly place amongst the "wilds" of the populous surroundings,
enabling him to seek quiet solitude each evening.
I cannot forget to mention there will also be a delicious meal
prepared for him by this friends' lovely lady each evening!
Of course, Cowboy was concerned about that too!
As much as he loves to eat, he is not comfortable eating what he calls “Foo Foo” food.
Meat, vegetables, potatoes, milk is what sits the best on his palette.
It will be interesting when he returns late Saturday,
to hear about the menu set before him for the week.
(Hopefully, there was NO seafood!
Cowboy claims that if it does not come from the solid surface of the earth, it is not edible!)
*
We have no cell phones, not only because they aren’t in our budget, but more importantly, because they don’t work where we live. We don’t have Caller ID available so our outgoing calls on the receiving end show as “Unknown Caller”. I am sure that is why this “friend” has not picked up my calls. (Our families know this fact, they are the only ones who will answer!)
Cowboy would not ask to make long distance calls, out of respect.
For several days now, and several more to come, I must sit here in my own little world wondering how Cowboy is surviving the “Jungles”.
Wondering how he is surviving his daily undertakings.
My time passes quietly as I keep the home fires burning.
Thankfully, there is a woodpile alongside the garage.
Regrettably, despite my rants in the previous months,
there are literally "no chores for me to do"!
More than this allowing for boredom fester…it is Sad.
*
With the economy the way it is, this chance for a change in our life and finances,
may not come to fruition for some time.
It was already paid for, so there was no turning back.
*
When My Cowboy returns, he can add another accomplishment to his repertoire of abilities. Cowboy has spent his life in the quest of acquiring a continuous stream of knowledge and improving his skills in every phase of his “Cowboy Way”.
He has maintained a bottomless pit for his unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
Whether it be within his applications as a certified Farrier,
his passion for starting colts and training working stock dogs;
or the in-depth understanding of cattle, the ranchers and the markets.
Cowboy has always professed “The more I learn, the less I know”.
The same will apply in his becoming a certified Equine Massage Therapist.
*
I pray the economy makes some positive changes in the Ag world..soon!
(We must not tell him I told all of this you, as he is too reticent to admit his knowledge and skills.
His sentiment here is: "Don't tell me, show me.")
When he asks about my newest posts?
I will skip over this one.


Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Cowboy's New Career Search...

.....the Results are in ..options that have been eliminated.

* * *
Taking up the Profession as a Chimney Sweep is out! It's a scarry, dirty job...
where was Mike Rowe anyhow, when he was needed most!
* * *

(Go ahead, click pictures to enlarge)


Hey W.O.W.! ....I've got it!


Remember when we used to dance all night,
the jitterbug, the waltz, the two-step?

I think I will try out for
"Dancing with the Stars"!
I could become a famous dancer
with my new "Three-step" routine!







...What's that you say? ...No?...





Then I should try my hand as a Mountain Climber!
Remember W.O.W., those days on the pack outfit?
Riding over the top of Mt Stuart? What a thrill it was?
Being on top of the world seeing into Canada and down
into Oregon and Idado?
Those were fun times! I Could do this!

...I know, I know, a horses' footing is better'n mine...




...HMMmmmm...






Oh! I got it!
Hydro did gymnastics!
Why not me?
W.O.W., ..watch me! I can do the balance beam
with ease, want to see me try a back flip?
Yea! This could be a lot of fun!




Ahhh.......W.O.W.! You won't let me have any fun!





You even made me quit riding bulls!
I probably would have become the
next Don Gay if you hadn't threatened
to become a Rodeo Clown,
if I didn't quit....
.....give me another chance!
...Paaleeease???




...OH, ALL RIGHT !.......
....fingers tapping gripping now...






OK, W.O.W.!
You can't tell me "No" on this idea!!
You know how much I love Christmas...
I think I want to become a Cowboy Santa?
I am such a Jolly ol' fellar, and
I will promise to drop the toys down
the chimney with care!





....COME..... ON.....!!!....W.O.W!





Do you have any better ideas?

Well, fine then...
*
*
I will just stay here and relax awhile longer!







...Oh, H.O.W.!
Quit fooling around & get off that roof....






...come in and sit by the warm cozy fire!



Thursday, August 7, 2008

Just wondering...

...what life would be like IF...
  • Businesses were as accountable as they expect YOU to be!

DISH did NOT deliver my hi-speed Internet! (yet they took our $$!!) We only received a recorded message yesterday morning, very slurred & unable to decipher. I had to sit "on hold" for 1.5 hours for them to tell me there was a 'scheduling conflict'...no other explanation! Yet, we were to give them 24 hour notice IF we were to cancel or change!!

Our phone company won't credit us for all the 'down time' they've been providing us with, while they claim to be "providing" us with an internet connection!! :(

...what life would be like IF...

  • Living in the agricultural world really meant you don't "work"!

Over the period of the past 6 days, we have had 'visitors' that are either on vacation or just out 'cruising'. We do enjoy having company, don't get me wrong. BUT...this way of life, there is always work to be done! Sitting around visiting with people for hours on end~ does NOT pay the bills! We don't have that luxury of paid days off or vacations. Over the years, a lot of the people we've known that have "real jobs" as they call them, have always thought of us as having the 'easy life'...not a JOB per se, just a hobby! We are supposed to have free time all the time! I seriously doubt that if we showed up at their homes as they begin their day, or even at their lunch hour, that'd they would 'cancel' their jobs for the rest of the day just for us & to just kick back & visit for hours! I am sorry people...but if you are not relying on agriculture for your livelihood, please, be respectful of those who do! You may work 8-5, come home & have the rest of the evening to do as you please....but we don't! Our days are generally long, long days...and we need to make our living as the oppourtunities, the hours & the weather permits! I have to tell you a story here..........years ago, we bought 10 bare acres of old hay ground. There was No water, No power, No fences, No home....we lived in wall tents, camping as we built fences, corrals, drilled a well, added septic tank and we built a small home by ourselves. Hubby shoed horses & started colts by daylight in order to pay for everything as we went along. Come evenings, we worked until dark & beyond...on our Little House on the Prairie. Summers weren't long, & winter's heavy snowfalls could come early any given year. We had to work hard & fast! Looky-loos came around every day, amazed(?) at what we were doing, living like we were with 2 teenagers! Gawkers from the distance, looked through binoculars. One Saturday morning, we had a lot to accomplish by Monday as the septic system was going to be put where our "camp" was. It was 8:00 am and already, I had made 4 pots of coffee for the onlookers. Hubby had had it!! It was raining & time was ticking by fast! He came to the 'campsite' & sternly stated... "If you are here to help, grab one of these **tossing hamers, shovels, etc., ever so angrily at the ground** and get to work! If you are NOT here to help? Get the H*** out of here!" Of the 16 people standing around drinking cup after cup of coffee...only ONE person stayed! He worked all day along side of us and we accomplished our mission for Mondays schedule! THEN, & ony then, were we able to sit back & enjoy Sunday as a day off! He is a great friend to this day! No one else came around again to just sit back and watch! They either pitched in with helping hands, or they lurked in the background behind binoculars & yes even telescopes! When we had an actual roof over our heads late Fall, they did come to see what we'd accomplished without their help.

...what life would be like IF...

  • Families weren't strung out around the world do to the changing demands of careers but were close enough to have regular Sunday suppers at "Gramma's", family gathering for BBQ's, graduations, birthdays, holidays...as it used to be in an era gone by!

We live 4+ hours away from my folks & older Sister. Our daughter & her family are a hefty 24 hour drive away in So. Calif.! My younger Sister is in Minnesota (don't know how long of a drive??) My older Brother is in Montana; Hubby's Brother is 5+ hours away. And NOW...as of September 1st, our Son will be in Fargo, ND!! Today, he accepted the job with a Wind Farm Company to be their Development Manager...of 2 huge $500 million projects! He will be doing everything from land negotiations, to permitting, to community communication and education, responsible for portions of the P&L of the projects, working with State officials down to community officials. The first few months will be spent setting up the physical presence of the Company there in Moorhead with an office. Both sites are in Minn. across the border (N.D. has 'cheaper' state income tax than MN, so hence, he'll plant himself there.) He is soooo very excited for the huge challenge afore him! He has been stalemated at his current job & has waited for this opportunity! It's huge! It's in a very young, yet fast growing "industry"! We are truly excited & happy for him....yet that means he won't be driving home on a long weekend for some of Mom's home cooking (he always puts in his "order" before he comes over) or to raid my pantry of my garden's bounty. It means he won't be spending as many holidays with us, or he won't be able to come to help us build fence, cut firewood, etc, etc....ya know, all the things they HAD to help with when growing up & growled about, yet now, they WANT to help you with those things! I know my Sister & her family, in Minnesota, are finally going to have the opportunity to get to know him. He will no doubt be going to her house for Thanksgiving etc! It will only be a 4 hour drive for him! We are extremely proud of our kids! They both worked jobs to put themselves through college, as we could not afford to help them. Our Son has 2 BA degrees, has traveled the world as a civilian & as an Officer in the USMC (he is currently up for Major ~ IRR status (Inactive Reserve Ready)). Our Daughter is an elementary teacher, her hubby is a Principal & they both have their Masters. We don't begrudge the kids at all for their career choices & places their lives have taken them, we only wish society wasn't so "mobile" these days, so their careers could have kept them closer to their roots...and us!

...what life would be like IF...

  • The "C" (cancer) word did not extist!

In the past 13 years, we have lost 37 close friends & family members. That is a huge number! 32 of them have been to that "C" word!

It has been confirmed, my Dad has cancer. Tomorrow, he is scheduled for a PET scan to determine his options; to what extent if any, has it spread; is it small cell or non-small cell; fast growing or slow growing.

I hate this disease!

We lost Cowboy's Dad 2 years ago to it. My Dad is an extremely positive person, and he told me last week that he still plans to live to at least 100 ! I hope he does!!

~The battle is on!

***************************************

...what life would be like IF...

  • Blogging hadn't been discovered on my computer by this curious country gal!

I wouldn't have met all of you! !! And I so enjoy reading your blogs, about your lives, your interests & your humor!...........when my phone connection cooperates, when I don't have a 'virus' or a 'worm', and when Blogger doesn't hate me! Seems as of late...that's all I get ! I will get caught up with you!

2:50 a.m. Friday....later....GRRrrrrr...as I've tried tonight to track you all down & check up on you, easily, I got to 3 of you...and was able to get to your comments...then, for who knows what reason.........I could find your sites, but unable to load the comment section! I'm going to bed now and hope my luck changes tomorrow!!