Friday, Date #4

Thursday I had date three in all reality, as me and Lori and her son went horseback riding. Friday I had date number for, his date number 1. We went four wheeling and for a walk. Well, enough entertainment for you married and single people, I will leave the mystery date at that. Although at the end of the date he did ask if he could call me some time, how polite!!!!

Sheep Ranch part 3

So, I went back to the sheep ranch the other day for date number 2! To bad he doesn't know these are dates, but he will figure it out. We loaded up the horses, stop by the ranch managers house, loading up his horses and took off for the sheep ranch. Once at the sheep ranch I unloaded by best friend (yes!!!!!!!!!!! at least I can have my best friend here to visit). I saddled up my horse, and my expensive little cow horse saw a cow, and decided those things are scary! So I went a little side ways, had a talk with my horse, walked towards the cows, and when the cows started to move she decided that this was fun! So we wandered around the sheep ranch and of course I had to stay in the back because my horse doesn't like other horses all to much (of course that was my reason), and I chatted with Lori's son (his horse was the slowest and also in the back). We had a blast, and I impressed Lori's son, much to my chagrin! I was crossing this muddy little stream, urging my horse along when all of a sudden, POOF, I was launched 4 feet in the air, and over the stream I went. I guess she didn't want to walk through it, but hey at least I kept my seat. Lori's son comments, WOW, that was awesome. Yeah right just great, body check, yep in tact! So we rode and loped and had a lot of fun. I must add that fun is tiring. On the way back I was ready to crash, but we needed to unload the horses. After all the chore were done my future husband comments, "So what are you doing on Friday?" I thought for a bit, yep I have vague plans, but oh well. I comment "I don't really have any plans." So he asks, "You wanna hang out, go to a movie, out to eat or something?" I comment, "sure, that sounds great." Mind you it is taking all the effort in the world to answer because I am so tired. The conversation wandered a little, with me going I don't know I do need to see some friends that are coming into town for a wedding, but that would be later on in the night..... So the conversation hits a pause and Lori and him start heading to the Dukes of Hazzard mobile (His car's passenger side door won't open, so his Mom crawls through the window). He turns around on his way out stating... "uhhh... I'll call.. ummm... your house." I stated "Yeah, your mom should have the number you can get it from her." Lori then states "I don't have your cell phone number." I then state, "Well, you can call my Mom and she can give it to you Lor...." So.... Interesting story, this is getting quite complicated. Hmmmm... so date number 3. He thinks it is "hanging out," whatever that means. I will tell him the truth about are dates later when he is ready for it!

Kids say the darndest things.

While working at my delightful job I always have the most amusing conversations. There isn't a day that goes by the the juvenile delinquents I work with don't say something entertaining that has me in laughing. Now most of these things I will never post because they are not good for your "sensitive constitutions." For instance the conversation I had with one resident about donating to a sperm bank (don't worry it was an appropraite conversation at work, I am very professional, but still I don't need to get into this one).
Well, being I need to keep this blog rather clean shaven, I will tell some of my simpler stories that are not morbid to the average person. After working in my career for a while, you start to think some morbid, twisted stuff is hilarious, where as other people think you have lost your mind. Like the mexican guy who would stand in front of our camera naked and run around from corner to corner, do hand stands, and buzz in to the buble stating "I love you.... I love you.... mwa mwa mwa to our female officers." Of course he didn't know english and the other officers taught him to also say shut your pie whole. I mean that I could watch and break out laughing.... other people....... eeeeeeee........ Great, I think I lost the clean shaven part.
Right, clean shaven. So the other day a Mental Health Resident of mine was telling story after story to the otehr guys in the unit. The other residents became annoyed stating, "Dude, come on, your story has changed like three times..." This resident kept going though, saying "no... I told you ....." Well, I had a wierd quirk come over me and stated, " (resident name here) you need to slow down and get your lies straight." To which the resident replied "uh ah... I ain't never get my lies mixed up." I then stated, "Oh, so you do lie then!" The residnet just stared at me after I said this, not knowing what to say!
That very same day I was talking to one of the guys that had completed our program and was suppose to leave shortly. I stated to this young man, "You know, I have been watching you and I noticed something. No matter what you are truly thinking or what you are feeling, you say what people want to hear." To this the resident replied, "How do you know?" I answered, "Well, I pay attention, and the eyes are the window to the soul. I suppose it can be a good or a bad thing." The resident then replied, "Bad for me I guess." Hmmmmm... does that mean he isn't going to do well in the community?

I have lost my best friend!

The other day I took my fine four legged pal for a ride, and I must say she was probably thinking I was more of an enemy then a pal by the end of the ride. You see, I did not like the farriers job on my horses shoes, so I had them pull them. She was a bit tender after this experience, but I figured that was rather normal, but still something was not sitting right with me as I looked at her hooves. Well, regardless, I tacked her up and rode her, scolding her for her laziness, although she was trying hard to listen to my commands. Pretty soon she was sweaty and coughing so I stopped her a got off. Then my trusty steed started to wheeze and heave, and make all sorts of sounds. I then walked her towards the barn, only to notice a bloody spot on her foot and her limping. Yikes, I felt so bad I was ready to hurt myself, what had I done! I should have checked her over better. Upon further inspection, the lady I board from had feed her alfalfa which she is allergic to and she couldn't breath, she had tangled her foot in the fence and had a cut, and the farrier completely messed up her feet, causing her to be tender on all of her feet and unable to be ridden for two months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I paid for a vet bill, some expensive medicine, my Mom to come pick her up and bring her home (to where she has no allergies), and I paid for my farrier back home to fix her feet (which will take quite some time). Now my best friend has cost me lots of money and moved back far far away!!!!!

Entertainment for married people

I realized the other day one great purpose for being single, to entertain the married people! There are always multiple rumors going around about who is dating who, and who is interested in who, and most of these rumors have not a bit of truth to them. For instance, my previous blog is a rather entertaining story, although it completely fails to mention the fact that this guy knew nothing of my interest, nor was it a date. Now whether the rumors going around are true or not is of little consequence, becuase the entertainment, guessing game, and wondering is all that truly matters.

Now for the rest of the story....

So it turns out the trip was an hour and a half drive, and the ranch was on sheep ranch road, hence "Sheep Ranch." However I might add that there were no sheep on the road, only loggers with sheepish grins trying to make it around to the back of their trucks instead of full view of traffic to finish there bathroom break when they realized a nonlogging truck was coming down the road. Any how.... back to the beginning of the second part of the story.
So, Lori introduced me to her son, and asked him to help me go out and grab the horses. I don't know this guy!!! Ah well.... so I babbled all the way out, and helped him put on the halter and lead the horses in. We talked about college and stretched for common ground, but it wasn't no biggie because Lori was right, he was easy on the eyes! Next we stood outside the truck and talked because we where a little early in getting ready to go. So, Lori commented something to the effect, "Hey now, I am usually very responsible." To which I replied, "At least my Mom doesn't lie to me!" It was great, now I see no problem with old fashion dating. His Mom was there, my Mom was there, and we all had a blast picking on each other and telling stories (To bad he didn't know it was a date :)). There were too many funny stories to relay.
Next we got in the truck and headed out. We arrived at the the Sheep Ranch before the the guy running it, so we had to sit outside the gate. The Ranch was 880 acres fences in, and 1,000 acres total, and some guy runs his cattle in every summer so they can get big and fat. They looked big and fat alright.
After kidding around and talking while waiting for the guy for some time, the ranch manager finally showed up and directed us in. As we drove down the driveway to a cabin in the middle of the ranch, the cattle spread out in front of the vehicle. We let out the horses and boy were they wide eyed. Then we got to work, and I guess we were checking fences, as it was checking fence Wednesday.... who knew? So the guy brought us up a hill, showed us a view of the ranch, let us chase the cows for a while, and commented that he carries a gun because there is no way a horse can out run a bull. He went on to say that you were better off standing your ground, and if the bull still decided to charge, he would probably go for the horses belly. Great!!!!!!!!! Well, luckily while chasing cows I overheard him say don't chase number 24 (that one was a bull) because he didn't tell me that and I went in that direction to chase another cow. All he said to the others was, I hope she doesn't chase that one! Thanks, buddy! After chasing cows a little bit we checked the fence line, through muck, streams, up ledges, down rocky terrain, through swamps, and trees we went. Four hours later we went around all 880 acres of fenced in pasture. The greatest thing is that I am still alive to tell about it, since my horse has only been on about four trail rides and was wide eyed and freaking out most of the way when he wasn't trying to eat the filly that the people brought along. It is all good. On the way back we all talked about are adventure and Lori's son commented that he loved riding horses and hadn't had that much fun all summer! He then went on to talk about fishing, the outdoors, hunting, and many other subjects I was quite pleased with. We even started gabbing on our own ignoring our parents. Once back at home, he jumped right in to help out as best he could, but here is the all time clincher in the deal, I hopped in the trailer to shovel horse manure out, and he stated, "I can do that." WOW? Where do guys like this come from? Hmmmm... Christian boy, I love his parents, he loves the outdoors, likes horseback riding, is a nice guy, tells interesting stories, gets along with his Mom well, has a good job, and helps out willingly with even unpleasant tasks! I can hear the wedding bells now. Only one problem though, he isn't privy to the whole arranged marriage deal, and my Mom stated she doesn't have any dowry to give, so alas I have lost the perfect guy once again!!!

Meeting your future husband at the sheep ranch!

I need to back up some to get this story straight.....

A few weeks ago, I came up to the Iron Range to go horseback riding with my Mom and her friend Lori, who has been boarding her horses at my Mom's place for two or three years now. My Mom has been best friend with Lori's sister for as long as I can remember, and has known Lori all her life. After meeting Lori a few years ago (or at least the first time I remember meeting Lori), we immediately found multiple things to talk about and laugh about, and eventually we started going out horseback riding and talking when my Mom wasn't around. Now, I happen to consider Lori to be a friend of mine as well, and she is a blast to hang out with.

So, my Mom, Lori, and me went out riding a few weeks ago, and on the way Lori mentions that she is heart broken because her son (who happens to be my age) who was engaged to be married to a girl he had been dating for three years had been dumped, and the wedding called off. I listened to Lori's grief and provided some insight, and then it hit me. I said, "Well, Lor... I haven't done all to well at the dating game myself, I can't figure it out." "I tell you what, I have never met your son that I remember, so I don't know what he looks like, but he sounds like I nice guy, I'll marry him." What a brilliant idea. I know he is a nice guy, I obviously get along well with his Mom, and he is a Christian boy.... Lori laughed in response and said he is nice looking too. Well that was the end of the discussion.

This week, I came up and my Mom asked me if I wanted to go chase cattle at the sheep ranch. What?!??!?!??!? Cattle at a sheep ranch? I asked if they had any sheep, but apparently they don't, just cattle. This adventure sounded like a lot of fun, swamps, ledges, cliffs, streams, big cows to chase for hours on end, and a sore butt to boot. I have always wanted to do this, so I said of course I'll go. My Mom then informed me that Lori's son had been asked if he wanted to go up because the owner of the ranch thought it would be a fun get away for him. The ranch owner asked him to bring his Mom and my Mom along too (they had been up there before). So now I have a 45 minute drive with this guy I have never met but made strange comments about to his Mom, and Lori up to this Sheep Ranch where we will be riding horse for a long time together, then heading back home 45 minutes. Oh well, in the end, what a better way could there be to meet my future husband. Added bonus too, I didn't know he rode horse, I thought he only liked golf and other sports.

Sister Bay, Wisconsin

I recently have been gone on vacation camping and salmon fishing at Sister Bay, Wisconsin. Wisconsin has got to be one of the most beautiful and wonderful states, with the only negative being the Green Bay Packers. The state is very old school with beautiful old farm buildings, bluffs, plains, and lots of beautiful sights to see. We drove straight across the state to the very East tip of the farthest peninsula to Sister Bay. The campsite was beautiful with many wonderful things to look at, especially the male summer workers staying at the camp site wandering to the showers with no shirts on! I mean...... ummm... the variety of trees, varying terrain, beautiful sights on Lake Michigan, the bluffs, cherry tree farms, and wonderfully charming old buildings. The towns along the peninsula were as charming as a town can get, with the exception of all those blasted tourist, who did they think they were! Mondern houses and shops did not fit in this place. Everything was cute and quaint. There were go karts, miniature golf courses, antique and knick knack shops, cherry and farm produce stores, cherry farms, apple farms, lots of tourist stores, and all in old fashion or foreign style shops. The place was wonderful. I spent one day resigned to hanging out with the women of the family shopping and doing touristy things. The rest of the days it was all about going out with the men fishing for salmon! It was a wonderful trip, and we got a cooler full of fish to bring home. The fishing license paid for itself by far! I have fish for the whole year now, and they were a blast to catch. The funniest part was trying not to fall in on the gigantic rollers while reeling in a fish. I looked like a drunken sailor trying to move about the boat. In all I caught a few 13 to 15 pounders, and a bunch of shakers, as they call the one year old salmon. Sister Bay is definitely a trip worth taking!