I feel like I am on vacation. My daughter has gone to visit Grandma for the week. We had Fair last week, 4-H is over for a short time, Hurray! I am so tired of constant meetings and working to prepare for the Fair. She did fine, got a bunch of ribbons. Placed well with the lambs. Judge remarked about their profile and the longer tail docking they had during a class. Said they would have done better with no tails. We were told that extra length helps prevent prolapse in the market lambs, but evidently is not real popular in the show ring. 4-H leader warned us about it ahead too. Funny how something so easy and useful is so prejudiced against. Lambs looked nice and showed well for her, sold pretty good as well. Husband got the thumbs up for his shearing efforts, worth the cost of new clipper combs to have no clipper tracks, short cut wool. Got good comments on their condition. Judge moved her lamb up in one class after checking his ribs. Dog got a first in Showmanship, 3rd in Grand Champion class behind two older kids who also do AKC shows and win. They all looked very smooth. I was VERY happy for her. Dog then decided she didn't feel like staying on the long sit and down of Obedience section. Have NOT had any problems before, dog was not afraid, just didn't feel like it today. Then the dog got the sillies in Agility, just bounced all around daughter instead of going in the direction pointed at. The heat was awful, sunny and 90+, so we had been hosing the dogs off every half hour to prevent heat problems. I think the dog was just TOO FRESH! Dog did eventually get over and thru all the obstacles, was obviously having a good time diving thru tunnels, bounding onto climbing ramps, just not always in order. Getting done was a long process, making for a huge time score. Daughter was laughing so hard at dog it was difficult to give commands and that didn't help either. They went off-leash for their first time at a show. I was quite proud of her. She was the only one of the kids who even tried advancing from last years group on leash. Kept her cool in the face of severe adversity, even praised the dog for completing obstacles. Horse was not able to show, he tested positive for EPM Thursday before the Fair. We had him tested to rule out the problem, actually never expected to find it. He tripped a couple times, then pulled his front shoe off twice in one week doing some sidepassing, practice for trail class. This horse is extremely nimble, NEVER stumbles. Husband was sure it was just age, wear and tear catching up with him. A real shock to find the EPM. Vet said not to stress him, keep him home. Stress can make things MUCH worse. We got the meds, have started dosing him, but takes 28 days to work thru the whole dose. I have now got a much larger understanding of EPM. What a very peculiar disease to deal with. It appears we caught it very early, not really showing typical symptoms. We expect a full recovery. Daughter was extremly disappointed, but understood that horse could not compete without chancing hurting himself or her with tripping. All her hard work practicing will have to pay off later. Long days getting up early to feed at Fair, working 4-H booths for Fair, competing, home late. Then there were home horses to clean stalls for, put out. I sure am glad the Fair is only for 5 days, seems like at least 10 with so much packed in. I don't know how we could have worked horse in as well!! We also have to assemble then dismantle the whole fair when everything is done, put it all away for next year. All-volunteer Fair with no paid employees beyond the Extension office folks. We were BEAT when it finished up. We had my mother's birthday party Saturday, big celebration for 80th with an open house. She had it at a hall, her house is too small, so DD and I went down on Friday and decorated, arranged things the way she wanted. She had decided to have just snacks and cater it in so we didn't have to worry about the food. Great catering service, provided wings, 3 kinds of super cheesecake, terrific bread pudding, fruit trays. All were big hits with the guests, very different than what they usually get. We did the chips and home made punch. Everything went very smoothly, lots of visitors, everyone appeared to have a good time, stayed quite a while visiting with each other. All my family showed up, even from very far away. Lots of fun to to see them all. After abandoning DD at Grandma's we came home. It was SO NICE to sleep in until 8A!! Actually converse with husband for more than 30 seconds in passing. We pretty much sat around all day! So this week is going slow, just taking my time getting chores done in the heat. Keep the water buckets full during the day. Horses go out about dark to avoid the big bomber flies. Colt is shedding out to a very dark color, almost black. Very dry, have been watering the gardens, big trees. Small chance of rain Wed and Fri. Husband has been stopping by mid-day, taking another shower and getting clean clothes. He is just soaking wet and so are the clothes. We are both drinking a lot of water and Gatorade. We are both enjoying the air conditioner that he bought. First time we have had AC in the house. Even set at 72F it feels cold after the outside. Until this year there wasn't anyone home to enjoy it. About the only task to do this week is get the mare checked to see if she is bred. Have to haul her and colt to the vet's. Don't think she is, but he will find out for sure.

hi gals had to let you all know i recieved a very nice box from shelbyraymom today by ups :))) inside I found a very nice tropical canna plant, A mini rose :)) to add to my collection , an unknown grass but I will find out from my gardening buddie yung mi , also was purple fountain grass , a wondering jew plant, anyone tell me do I bring that one in also for the winter in z 5 ?? best of all some bamboo I can't think of the name right now but I know you all know the type I mean love have wanted to get it just put it off thanks a bunch :)) tammy Tammy also sent a welcome windchime have it hanging on my back porch a hand towel with sunflowers on it so cute , a nice pack of jobes fertilizer spikes for my plants , and then she topped off the box with 10dutch Irise bulbs, 6 anemons , & 6 freesias , tammy you did a wounderfull job sending the plants all arrived is very good shape it is cool today so going out to get them planted before the rain :))) what a great bunch of galls thank you all . sue

Good early morning. BJ, I meant to tell you that I also hope everthing works out for the best with Baby V and he ends up in the most qualified and caring hands, although he couldn't ask for better ones than yours. Talk about heroes - you and your family are definitely role models for sharing your home and love. I love coming here. I've gotten to the point where I don't want to read the news or gossip columns online or on tv, or see where the latest tropical wave is off of Africa (I'll prepare soon enough, I know the drill.) I know that none of our lives are perfect here, but it's such a great place to come and share our celebrations and sadness. Hope I'm not being too corny - blame it on the early hour - ha. Milkdud, what is a rebounder - is it like a trampoline? I need to find something that will firm up my middle section - legs and my upper body are improving, but the jelly belly and thighs could definitely use some extra toning. (lovely description, huh.) Going to walk in a few minutes and then having lunch with new neighbors I have met since starting my exercise routine. Just an added perk. I couldn't find my Weight Watchers one point chocolate cakes, so I bought some No Pudge chocolate brownie mix, where you just add the no-fat vanilla yogurt. All I could find was the plain, so I added some vanilla extract, per the instructions. OMG, were they good. I had one brownie for two points (my husband ate 3!) I didn't tell him until afterwards that the secret ingredient was yogurt, or he never would have come near them. I've never cooked with yogurt before, but I still have large container of it, so if y'all have any recipes to share, please let me know. Enjoy your day. I hope it's a good one for everyone. Jan

Thank you so much for the birthday wishes! I am having a great birthday week! Tomorrow I FINALLY get to pick up the new kayak! I'll take it for a paddle out on the bay for a couple of hours.I can hardly wait! Then in the afternoon, I am attending a friend's dtrs going away party. Tomorrow night is our family birthday party at my sis' house. I took my first full day off in almost 4 weeks today.... Whew! Sunday it's church and then veg out ALL DAY LONG!!! George, sweetie, yes I am Greek! But alas, you are not really my type, sad to say. Have you got a brother who is maybe the rugged cowboy type? Wouldn't turn down a spin on your yacht though... ; ) You guys are just the best! love, Tikanis