A pretty red car!

Yeah, really, there's about always something more that could go wrong. As of late, I haven't been too sure about that, though.

Yesterday afternoon, my check engine light came on. The temperature seemed a little bit higher than usual. Made arrangements with my boss to not work and take it to the dealer first thing this morning. Cool? Cool. Or so I thought. One of my buddies wanted to hang out and needed a ride from work. Aight, it's only like 2 miles to his work, and his house is on the way back to mine. I can do that. On the way there, nothing seemed too wrong, and I was on the phone with daddy, so I didn't notice too much.

So, I went into his work to make sure that he was done and stuff, and when we came back out, he asked me why I left my car running. "Haha, ok."

"Do you seriously not hear that?"

"Oh. That's bad."

(hold down #2.)

"Daddy ... ?"



So, daddy tells me what I already know: take it to the dealer first thing in the morning. So, I plan to drop Boogie off and then park it and baby it up to Edmond in the morning.

About a mile late, about 5 idiot lights start flashing, and the temperature guage whirled past the bad-bad edge of the red into the superhot blackness past the red.

"Oh, $h!t."

So, I pulled it off the road and killed it.

And started digging through the glovebox for the roadside assistance number.

And digging.

(2...)

"Daddy .. ?"

....

So I called Saturn, and they got a tow-truck on the way. Oh, and meanwhile, my favorite local Bethany officer pulls up behind us. Yay.

Eventually, it cooled off a bunch, and the towtruck was STILL not there. Boogie needed to get home, so I figured I'd just get it towed from his house. Supposedly, when your car's getting hot, your turn the heat on full blast and it helps it cool, right? So, I didn't want it blowing on me, so I turned the defrost on full blast. Then, I started to notice little freezing spots on the windshield that kept getting bigger. So, I put it on my feet. It felt good to have air that's colder that normal AC blowing on my feet when it was 80* and muggy as heck outside.

But then I remembered that I had the heat on.

Oops.

Apparently, Boogie's dad's a mechanic. So, we got there and popped the hood, and started poking around. You know that one big bottle that's supposed to be full of coolant. With a radiator cap on top? It was, uhm, bone dry. So, we filled it up with the hose. And started it. And listened. Then Boogie sr. got a flashlight out of the truck, and instructed Boogie jr. to put the hose in the hole. And we listened. And then started looking ... at the water spurting out the back of the engine.

Eventually, the towtruck got there, and I got to ride the vue up the ramp, and one of my other friends picked me up and took me back to my house. Since the dealer was closed, as this was taking place after 10PM, they towtruck driver was to keep the Vue locked up overnight and deliver it to the dealer at opening: 8AM.

Oh dear. The problem becomes how I'm going to (1) get back to my bed (2) and how I'm going to get to the dealer to get my loaner.

Hmm.
Riiing

"Hello?"

"Hey, are you busy?"

"I just finished watching a show and have to take my friends home. What's wrong?"

"Uhm, remember how I was going to take my car to the dealer in the morning?"

"Yeah, where is it?"

"I'm waving goodbye, and it's rolling away, and turning the corner ..."

"Uh oh."

"So, I was wondering if you might want to pick me up from my friend's house and take my back to my apartment, and then maybe get up bright and early 3 hours before you have to work to come pick me up again and take me up to Edmond to the dealer?"

"Ok. I'll drop my friends off. Where'm I going?"

"You're amazing."


This morning, 8 rolled around, so I called the dealer to see about getting the loaner covered in my warranty. Of course, they want a non-working vue in exchange for a working something. Anything. But, alas, no extra Vue with Washington plates. So, I called Larry and said that I wouldn't be needing that ride. Awesome friend that he is, he reminded me to call if I needed anything else." <3

I looked up the tow company's number and gave them a shout. Apparently, the vue was still there and they were waiting on a flatbed to get it to the dealer. At this point, I'm still exhausted from the night before, so I head back to bed to take a nap. The dealer had my number and was supposed to call as soon as the keys were in the dealer's hand. My phone was right next to me and on loud.

3 hours later: "Caaaalifornia, rest in" "Hello? (fake-awake-sounding-from-dead-asleep-voice.)"

(Thiiiiink! Who's that voice calling me?!?!?!? WHO!?!?!)

"Hey Cat. How are things going with the car?"

(Ahhh. The boss-man.)

(nsert lengthy explanation here. Boss-man last knew that car was still drivable, hadn't been told by boss-lady about the events of the late night/morning.)

Ok, girl, stay in contact and let me know what happens.


Call dealer. No vue.

Call tow company. Vue just left.

Half an hour later, about 11:45: Call dealer: vue rolling off truck. (Good news! Still pushable! That's something.)

I inquire about the loaner that my extended warranty covers. Mr. Jake, now far too familiar with the Washington girl with the dead Vue, says that none of the service loaners are on the premise.

WHAT?!?!?! "Please tell me that I'm going to have wheels, unless you'd like to pick me up at 6AM on Monday for school, Jake, dear."

Apparently, If I could find a car to rent through enterprise, then I would be in luck. Yay, then I didn't have to worry about how to get to the dealer! (Reference commercials: Pick enterprise! We'll pick you up!)

Great. Google enterprise, okc-> find location. Oh, schnikes. IT's 11:50. Every location listed closes at noon, because it's a Saturday. Awesome.

It's worth a shot, right? Right.

Dialed up the first number I could find, who reminded me that he closed in 8 minutes. I gave him the Cliff's notes of my situation, and begged. He said that I was in luck, that the Saturn dealer at the airport is open until 11:30 PM. SCORE. Little, but at last, something going my way.

I dial up Mr. Airport Enterprise-rent-a-car-we'll-pick-you-up. "Yeah, we've got cars in stock, and can do that. You're 25, right?"

"Absolutely. In 5 years."

(Oh, please, no. nononono. Please no! Noooooo.)

"The vehicle is in your name, miss?"

"No, my parents'."

"You could have your parents take the rental car and drive one of theirs."

"Awesome. So, you guys take care of the star-trek style beaming your loaner car halfway across the continent and their car back across?"

"What?"

"My parents live 2200 miles away. I am absolutely on my own."

"You're screwed."

"DO WHAT? You're not allowed to tell me that."

"Actually, if you have full coverage insurance that transfers to a rental, then you can rent it, as long as you're 18."

"K bye, I'll call you back."

10 seconds elapse.

Ring-ring.

"Hello darling daughter"

"Daaaddy!"

"Take a deep breath, I can't understand you."
(Uh oh. It's never good when she's calls sobbing too hard to understand."

"Ican'tgetacartodriveunlesstheinsuranceisfullcoverageandtransferabletoaloanerIwon'tbeableto
gettoschoolandthenIwon'tbeabletotakemytestandthenI'mgoingtofailoutofcollege."

"Slow down, Catherine, I can't understand you."
(Take a breath!)

"I-know-the-insurance-is-full-coverage-but-I-can-only-get-a-loaner-if-it's-transferable-to-a-loaner"

"I still can't understand you."

"Daddy, the insurance. It hasta be transferable to a rental, or I can't get a car, and I can't check it."

"Ok, I'll call you back."


A very tense 2.5 min.

"Hello."

"Yes, daughter, it's transferable."

"I LOVE YOU DADDY"

Call enterprise back. Remeber how enterprise picks you up? Well, only the neighborhood locations do that. The airport one is SPECIAL. And doesn't. Insert another phone call here. Same awesome friend that picked me up at midnight last night shows up at my door an hour later to get my butt to the airport. On his lunch-that-he-doesn't-actually-get, because they don't take official lunches on Saturday.

Yay.

So, now I have a little red Stratus. At least it's a v-6. And the stereo is definitely better-sounded than the Vue. Although probably slightly less abused.

Happy Birthday

Coop Here,
Well I think it is my birthday, my person forgot to call my old person and she can't find my papers - oh bother. I guess my party will just have to wait. Oh well, I've been having fun anyway. See the picture, that used to be my favorite red ball. Now it is my favorite flat red ball. Yes, I must confess I finally flattened the big thing. I think I may throw it in my water next unless alas I find some other evil thing to do with it. I sure had fun with that thing but I proved I am the TOUGHEST!!! Boy have I been getting the business. My coat has lots of mats and my person is brushing, cutting pulling and pulling some more trying to make be handsome. Watch out all you young fillies. Soon I will be irresistible, well actually I am already irresistible, I will just be much more debonair. That's all for today. It was a beautiful sunny day here in the big evergreen.
If my heart had a voice it would be singing. -- Author:Jill from Starting Over

Memorial Day Thank You

From Cooper and his family. Thank you to all those men and women serving our great nation in the armed forces working to keep America free. You are in our thoughts and daily prayers. We also remember those who have come before them giving the ultimate sacrifice our freedom. "God Bless America"

I Thnink I am in Trouble.

Coop Here,
Greeting from glorious sunny Washington state. I was out all day eating and I think I may be getting fat but I know I am really sassie. My person is not happy with me and neither is her guy. Komet is just too mellow for my style. He comes when he's called and patiently stands still, he's a kind and gentle guy. I on the other hand just think I am the greatest gift to the equine species and I'm not afraid to let anyone know. Tonight at go home time, I didn't wanna and you can't make me when I don't wanna. Well I didn't wanna Komet to be good either cause then he gets all the kudos and I don't. If I'm gonna be bad then I want him to be bad with me too. It almost worked but then Komet went where he was supposed too even though I got him not to a few times. Darn that guy is so good, he is crazy. It's much more fun to be naughty and see how naughty you can be. Well I finally had no choice and went home but I think I may be confined to quarters tomorrow. My person wasn't too happy with me this mornin either. I almost got a good bite it but missed. She keeps using that funny shaped metal thingy on me to get my hair out and so I try and bite her. That is just how it works. Lately she is catching on because a lot of times I bite that stupid metal thing. I don't like to bite that. She has also been picking up my feet every day. Today she didn't put that rope thing on me and I gave he my best evasive, no hoof up action. It worked at first but then she made me do it. I want to do what I want to do and my person just doesn't understand. I am her boss but she just doesn't know it, or is it the other way around. She is my boss and I just don't know it. Well I like to think I am the boss and she just doesn't know it. My person keeps thinking biting is just a stage for my age but I think it is fun and I may just keep it up for fun. My birthday is coming soon. I wonder what she'll do for my big day. I will be one year old, maybe I'll get wise by then but I will never be like the big guy and comply, no way not me. I am too full of tricks. Well have a great day and enjoy the sunshine. Now for the big question?

What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?

Fun with the lead rope!

Howdy Y'all,

Coop here again. I am having fun. I have eaten lots of grass so I am not really hungry and just kinda bored so I am finding things to amuse myself. My buddy Komet helped me get the rope first and then boy was I having fun. It was a big, long black snake and I was getting it. It was that rope with the heavy snap and I was trying to chew it up. My person came and took it and wrapped it up on the fence but ha, ha, ha I got it again. Komet said watch out Coop here she comes again so I stopped playing for awhile. She made these funny knots and I can't seem to get it off the fence now. Well I moved on to other things. Just behind Komet is a faucet that is attached to the fence well I got my teeth on that. There was something on top of it but I got rid of that for my person. I am trouble in motion, leave anything around and I will search and destroy. Komet just looks at me an laughs. I think he has a little more sense (horse sense) than I do. He's been around the block a few times and I am new at this stuff. I do like to have fun. Yesterday I chased that black and white dog. I think I scared her. She didn't know quite what to do. Well let me tell you I sure surprised her. I was hoping she would play with me but it didn't work. Time to sign off I think it is time for more grub.

I haven't a clue as to how my story will end. But that's all right. When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, you don't conclude that the road has vanished... and how else could we discover the stars? -- Author:anonymous

A day in the sunshine with my buddy.

Howdy Everyone,
Well isn't this just grand. I am stuck in here and my buddy Komet gets to roam free. I really can't complain because the grass is very green here. How about Komet's horses in black head thingy. I guess it helps protect his eyes. He has glaucoma you know. I am jealous because he gets drops twice a day in his eyes and lots of treats!!! I want treats too, me too, me too. I don't think it would be much fun to have his eyes but treats, well everyone likes treats. I am finally leaving hair everywhere I go. My person was starting to get worried. Now I have to endure that shedding blade thing. Some places feel oh so good but lets just say others don't feel so hot and she is onto me. I can't get a nip in anywhere. Komet is really a good buddy, he hangs with me most of the day but sometimes he does go find the greener grass. Today he left for awhile and I was so worried. I called and called, my person of all people put stuff on him, climbed aboard and took him away. He didn't call me once. I think he kind of had fun. My person also ran him around that circular pen, part of it used to be mine now it is this big circle. I hope I get to play in there soon! I just watched and thought about tricks I could pull in there. It was such a nice day. I love the grass. I hope I don't get too fat. I rested some so I didn't eat too much. I think my person is watching but with all my hair I do look rather rotund. I am still a handsome guy even with all my hair and rolly, poly look. I think my buddy Komet misses his person and that's why he lets my person mess with him. His person is staying in Oklahoma for the summer, something about anatomy classes and physiology classes and working at a feed store. Now I would like my person to work at a feed store. Just think of all the good stuff I would get to eat then. Until next time ---COOP

You're my best buddy,My favorite friend,We'll always be pals,from now until the end! -- Author:Unknown

Big Ball in Small Water Container!

HOWDY Y'all,

Cooper here and I am full of mischief. As you can see here I am proudly posing with my latest trick and boy was it fun. I put my ball in my water container. Hee, Hee, Hee. It fits just right, the only problem is now how do I get a drink. I guess if I get thirsty I'll just take it out. I know one thing that ball is pretty dirty from me rolling it all over and I have just made more work for my person. Yea! She gets to clean my water now and buy the way as soon as she turns her back and leaves the hose in the water tin, sneaky little me takes it out. I am just full of tricks!!! I really had fun with this one. It took me a long time to think of it. I am so proud of this one. I tried to keep her from taking it out but it didn't work. I have discovered it is really fun to send my smaller balls flying out under the panels into the arena. Today I got to go out with the big guy Komet. I gave him a lot of grief but he still is my friend. I bit him on the hock and he tolerated it and didn't even kick me. I did get him to go runnin when our person came into the field. She foiled me though. She let Komet out to run freely around the house and kept me in the field. I guess I'll have to pay better attention next time. I could play catch me if you can for a long time with all that room to run and I bet I could get into a lot of trouble if I was free like Komet. I can sneak into more places than he can. I might even see what those feathered things eat in their house. Well gotta run and plan my next escapade.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. -- Author:Robert Brault

Another two weeks

Howdy Y'all
Coop here. Life has been adventuresome for me lately. I've had to have more of that yukky paste that get the sites out of my system. I guess its wormies out of my system. I've been eatin grass with the big guy so it's been fun. We also run and play, trouble is that big guy isn't a trickster like moi!!! He likes to go home when its time and stuff like that. A few days ago that man was trying to catch me. Well I didn't want em to. I knocked him down as I was runnin past and then I almost fell too, actually I fell a little but not enough to slow me down. Eventually he got me and then I was not about to do what he wanted. Well I showed him but then he made me circle, I got dizzy and decided to be good for a few steps until he made me dizzy again. Finally, we made it to another pen and I got to eat grass. It was soooo good. When it was time to go back to my pen, I didn't wanno so I wouldn't let my person catch me. She made me run until I almost couldn't breathe and then I had to let her catch me. It was fun for awhile. I walked right along with her. I didn't want to get dizzy again. Today I got to go to that pen and eat more yummy grass but I was a perfect gentleman. No point in messing with her today. She came to visit a couple of times and I was nice and friendly. The big guy is out but he hangs around me or else holler for him. I think he gets tired of hearing me hollerin. I am finally sheddin a little. I was starting to get too hot. Hopefully I will get my summer coat soon so I can mess with my person some more and not get too hot. I always have tricks up my sleeve oh I mean hoof. Darn if she isn't figurin most of em out though. Nuthin more exciting in my life so here is my philosophy for today!

How can we possibly forget to laugh, when it feels so good, and cures so much? How can we possibly? -- Author:At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

My porson is in Trouble

Coop-er,
Sorry I haven't been able to tell my story lately. My person just hasn't taken time to help me out. Stuff has changed for me. My buddy TC hopped in this Red thing behind a big blue thing and then he was gone. I was sad but they moved the big guy close to me and now I have a new friend. I hope TC is happy wherever he went but I do miss him. I could bully him but that big guy, Komet scares me sometimes. Last week my person's man caught me but I didn't make it easy for him and my person gave me this white paste stuff, it was gross but I had to swallow it as she put it right back where I couldn't spit it out. I guess its supposed to kill those pesky parasites that live inside me, even if I try not to let them. I did feel better in a day or two but that man isn't going to catch me again!!! I have lots of tricks up my sleeve.
I am well cared for and have a nice house so I really can't complain. My person always comes in and scratches those itchy spots and talks to me when she feeds me. She also puts my toys back in the middle of my run so I won't get too bored. I love playing!!! She is even back to picking up my feet, boring. I am working on some new tricks to foil her but she always does it while I am am eating and food is definitely more important than tricks. I guess my person is
feeling better. On Thursday morning, I really fooled her, she had her hands full of hay so I nipped the back of her leg and ran away. That was a fun trick but I thought she was going to take away my hay so I haven't done it again. I am a tricky little devil with lots of mischief inside me. This morning I got to get out and eat and eat with the big guy. I ran and bucked and ran and bucked even more. We get to go from the arena all the way to the back field all day. It is lots of fun but I am going to be really tired tonight. My person promised me she would try to be more diligent about posting my messages. Maybe I won't nip her anymore if she keeps her promise.

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived. Let's scatter the good things." -- Author:Helen Walton

Hoof Trimming

Howdy,

Cooper here as you can see. Been off the air for awhile as my person had an operation and she has been trying to be careful and I do like to give her the business. Why just the other day I expressed myself with my rear hoof aimed in her direction. I was mad that she hasn't been spending much time with me, all talk and no action just doesn't do it. Today I got lots of attention. That man put on my restraints and took me over by the big barn, I think they call it something else but where you live is a barn to me. My person brushed me and it felt good but tickled. She took something to my tail but I didn't like it much. I know she tried to be careful but I have been working for days and days getting as much stuff in there as I could. It hurt getting it out so I was not in the best of moods then that other person shows up and calls me a big dog. That really ticks me off, I may be small in their pea brains but I am mighty and I am an EQUINE NOT A dog, a neigh whinny not a woof woof . She starts doing stuff to my hoof, cutting and filing! It put me in an even worse mood and I just had to express my displeasure. I tried everything I could think of but it didn't do any good. As you can see in the picture I put on my sour puss expression. Finally, I just gave up and let the person do what they had to do. I thought hurry up and get this misery over with. When that pain and suffering ended I got to play with TC and the big guy. We ran and bucked, kicked up our heels and had a jolly good time. Spring is in the air. We ate what grass we could and then played some more. It was dark when I finally went home and the other guys left. All in all it turned out to be a pretty good day. I got lots of attention and played with my friends. Below is my profound quote for today. Cooper out.

“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag,beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.” Author:Unknown

Rain Rain go AWAY

Coop here and not the kind that holds chickens. Well my life has been on hold as my person has something taken out of her and hasn't been doing much except talking to me lately. Well let me tell you talk sure gets old. I want action. Those guys around here just don't take as good of care of me as she does. I like my mini dukey gone every day!!!! That tall guy doesn't even know how to get my hay in, I repeat IN my house not in the mud. He hardly pays any attention to me and I want attention. I like my people to spend time with me and pay attention to ME. Speaking of the weather, I got soaked in this rain, of course I could have stayed in my house but I like to chat with TC, we tell lots of jokes and think of ways to trick the big curly guy so I got really WET and now I need a nice massage but my person just isn't up to it yet so I look, well let's just say I am not my normal handsome self right now. Good thing there aren't any cute fillies around. Yesterday I had so much fun. I got to play in the arena with TC, I can run faster than he can because he is getting too fat. I ran and ran and bucked and reared, did all I could to get TC to play but he was having a lazy day and only ran a little. I really showed him. Today my person came to visit. She brought me treats, these orange sticks that are really crunchy. She laughed at how noisy I was when I ate them. I love snacks!!! My person even came and petted me and rubbed my itchy head. I let her play with my ears, I was just so happy to see her. She thinks my mini nicker is really cute. Her partner brought the wheel barrel and I got to rub and check out what he was doing. He picked up most of my dukey and cleaned the floor of my house. He even picked up the soggy hay under the blue top. The wind just blew that darn rain all over my outside hay and it smelled, I had added my own seasoning to it so lets just say it wasn't pretty but now its gone. YEA. I didn't get to play in the arena today but I did play with my big pink ball. When the sun came out for awhile I was flat out, I heard my person calling but I was so comfortable I just ignored her. I think she wondered if I was breathing. I had a nice nap till she appeared on the porch. The sun is coming I just know it is.

Whether the weather be cold
Or whether the weather be hot,
We'll weather the weather,
Whatever the weather,
Whether we like it or not!

The BIG ORANGE THING

Sunshine makes me happy. Cooper here again, bright and cheerful. The morning was the usuall stuff I am going to have to find a new way to trick my person. The foot thing is so boring. She always tells me I have such cute little feet, ya, ya, ya. I was hungry and decided to be aloof today and totally ignored the red basket thing, didn't even try to dump the stuff, maybe I'll try that tomorrow. This afternoon the big guy got to be out out. He had the run of the place the lucky dog, oh I mean horse. He disappeared and I called him a few times but he didn't answer. A little while later I got to be in the arena with TC. We played some I tried to stand on my back legs to be as big as TC but it was hard to stay like that. We did find grass to eat. My person had this funny tool she was scraping across the ground and making piles of those big round hard things that hurt my feet if I step on them. Pretty soon this big orange noisy thing came into the arena and parked. That man that makes me work got off of it and just left it. I investigated and scratched on this hard thing on the back but TC wasn't interested. A little while later my person came and moved the noisy orange thing over to one of her piles and put it in the front of it. I came over to investigate but it wasn't very interesting so I went back to be by TC. He could have cared less about the orange thing but I found it fascinating. I am not afraid, I'm not, I'm not, I'm not. It was a hard choice TC or Orange thing, TC or orange thing!
I am a curious sort and I do like my person almost as much as TC. I had to go home and the big orange thing left. Now I am just waiting for my dinner. Hurry up, I WANT MY DINNER!

Curiosity is the very basis of education and if you tell me that curiosity killed the cat, I say only the cat died nobly.

That man

Cooper here! Yesterday was kind of exciting for me anyway. Morning started off as usual breakfast and all. That red thing that takes my leftovers away sure is fascinating. I did endure the pick up the feet stuff and a little currying but that was about it. My people all left but I got a new half inflated giant ball, it is lots of fun. It is frustrating because it always ends up in the stuck under the panel fence. My person puts it back in the middle for me to play with though. This afternoon I got to go for another walk but that man went with us and he followed behind me and made me keep up. I had to trot some but it was fun seeing all the sights. I did manage to get my halter size adjustment unbuckled and tried to head home but darn I wasn't fast enough and they got it buckled back up and it was off again at a rapid pace for me. I like it when I can be lazy but I heard my person say she was going to carry a crop - a downer for me I tell you. Komet and TC heard me coming and called a friendly hello which I of course responded to. Nothing scares me but that man up the road called me a dog again. I tried to bite him for that but missed. Oh well maybe next time.

"In the quiet of this day, may you know the greatness of your spirit and may your hopes fly on the wings of possibility."

Oh dear.

Hey y'all, it's Boo again. Well, like Cat mentioned in her last blog about me, I moved, and I have a new friend named Jesse. He's a pretty hansdome fellow.

I'm not too sure about some of those neighbors, I tell you what. There's some obnoxious boys that live on the other side of the fence, right next to the arena, and they sometimes scare me pretty bad. Last night, my mom longed me for awhile, and I got to jump a whole bunch! I like jumping, it makes me feel pretty. Most of the time, except when I forget the jumping part of jumping, and just knock the whole thing over. So, after I ran around in circles and over jumps for awhile, mom finally decided it was time to ride, so she bridled me up and got on. I sure don't know what those boys were doing in that garage, but it was sure weirding me out. Well, since the little baby-jump was on the far side of the arena from scariness, I guess mom decided we could go over it.

So, jump I did, I sailed right over that itty bitty crossrail! Then, it was time to go back to railwork, so I circled, and circled, and circled ...

Oh noes! Those boys started making lots of noise in that garage. It's scary! I need to stop and look at it for awhile!

AGH!! That was a really big boom. OH NO!! It's com--AGH! WHAT'S THAT FALLING NEXT TO ME?!?! MUST KILL!! MUST RUN!!! STUCK!! MUST KILL WHATEVER'S HOLDING MY REIN!!

(from across the arena)

Uh oh, where'd mom go? And why is one of my reins off my bit and wrapped around my leg?

Oops. I think I just thought mom was a monster. I better go see if she'll forgive me.

(hesitantly start across the arena, sniff mom to see if she's alive)

(She seriously considers not feeding him and leaving him tied in his stall with his saddle on, but puts him away and feeds both ponies)

(Then, she talked to her second mom, who thought she should go get checked out. So she went to urgent care, who sent her to the ER. Then she got some donuts and a root beer from the vending machine, but got triaged before she could eat them, and they told her not to eat. So they sat in her purse until midnight. Then, after drinking about a gallon of iodine and having another gallon shot into her veins, she got to eat the donuts, but they tasted weird after all the nasty iodine, and she doesn't like mini chocolate donuts anymore. Oh, and she has some bumps and bruises and contusions on a kidney, which is why she was peeing blood. Now she's about to get doped up on loretab and take a nap. The end. Stay tuned for updates.)

Friday

Howdy everyone, today was a rather boring day for me. There were these white flakes again at feeding time. I still haven't figured out what they do. My person came in to see me and scoop my dukey. I try to make lots of dukey so she has to spend more time with me. I chased the red thing around again and tried to dump the dukey, more time with my person that way. She insisted on picking up my feet again. That sure gets boring. I usually try to make it exciting at least once. It's fun to try and bite her leg when she is picking up my back feet but darn she must have eyes in the back of her head because I haven't hit the target lately. The red basket isn't too bad to bite but it doesn't taste too well with my leftovers, well you know. My friend TC chatted with me a bit and I took a few naps and ate. I do like the beet pulp with those little red things I get each morning. It rained a lot today. I wish my person would spend some more time with me but I think she gets too cold in this weather. I have all day to think of a prank when she feeds me tonight. I am trying to teach TC to take a risk and be a little cocky!!!
Choices in attitude, more than choices in life, determine our happiness

Back by popular request!

Well, since it seems that everybody adores reading these, and I haven't gotten around to writing in awhile, here goes nothing ...

Boo moved! He has a new home at the Lenneau's house. I'm not sure if that's spelled right, tho. Lennoux? It's right up there with Van Tuyl ...

Boo likes his new friend Jesse. Jesse doesn't like me very much. Yesterday afternoon, Hannah and I went riding together and then turned the horses out while we cleaned stalls. Hannah had to leave for diving practice, so I put the horses back inside to eat. I caught Boo just fine - I called him and he lazily jogged up to me and followed me into the barn. He knows where the food's at. Jesse, on the other hand, look a good 20 minutes to catch. It was annoying me, because he'd let me get close enough to touch him, and then turn and run, or back up. Eventually I got him cornered, and proved to him that I can read his evil little mind ... feinted to the left, and then threw the rope over his neck to the right.

Then, I went inside and had me some fried chicken! Before she left to take Hannah, she said that we was leaving the back door unlocked for me to go inside, and that there was fried chicken and ... some other stuff. The last thing I remember hearing was fried chicken. After I wiped up the puddle of saliva from my mouth watering ... Man, real food is nice, even if it's just fried chicken from walmart.

So Boo likes his new home. Getting him there was a bit eventful. To start off with, coordination everything was kind of interesting. First, I had to find a truck and trailer. I took a trip down to my favorite feed store, the owner of which was more than happy to oblige me. The tall guy - Marvin-James-Whateverhisnamereallyis, said that he had a truck, and a lady that I had never seen said that she had a trailer I could borrow. So, I was set there, but I just had to find a way to get Boo out of the barn at a time that they could work with, after the feed store was closed. One of my friends that I used to be able to rely on when I wanted/needed to do something with Boo has been really weird, and rather rude since last weekend. So, I just asked Bill, who said that he would make sure there was somebody there.

After some confusion about which vehicle was going to pull the trailer, who was going to drive it, and where there was a hitch ball, we were set, and showed up at the barn to pick Boo up. Having never put him in a little 2-horse side by side, I wasn't totally sure of what to expect. He got most of the way in, and I ran him in some circles ... he wasn't doing too bad. Then, the aforementioned person from the barn decided she was leaving. Instead of just pulling out and driving around the circle like any normal and/or considerate person generally would, seeing a horse that doesn't want to get in a trailer, she back up past the trailer, right next to it, and goes around the circle the other direction. Even Tommy, Mr. Feed Store noticed that and commented on the lack of consideration and ... possible ill-will. I merely replied that I thought she was a friend, but life happens.

So, then Boo loads, and we stop at the feed store again for Mr. Feed Store to take care of some stuff. I petted Boo from the little feed door, and then decided to get in the other side and pet him. Aftera few minutes of that, I got out and because I thought it was time to leave. It turns out that it wasn't time to leave let, so I got back in to pet Boo some more. Apparently, he didn't want me to leave the first time, becaue he had gotten his head stuck around, and was thoroughly folded in half, wheezing because he couldn't breathe very well, but couldn't put his head anywhere else, because, well, it's hard to move when you're stuck.

So, after unloading him, having him not want to get back in, circling some more, and finally getting in, we made our way to his new home, where I fed him and then turned him out with his new friend, who I'm happy to say he gets along very well with.

If I ever have a way to take pictures again, I will, but my camera died. And I can't buy another one and return the broken one because no walmarts have them because they're on clearance! Agh! Oh well. Cameras are dumb. When I have a j$b again, I'll buy one with a real warranty. That one might take awhile ... or I'll persuade daddy that I need a microSD card. Low res pic > no pic!

The Old Roll in the Hay

Today Cooper was in a good mood. It is uncanny how much like Komet he is only smaller. This morning I did my usual pick up mini stuff. He had to come over and help, or get in the way whichever you prefer. I picked up his feet, he lifted his back one for me. He is very smart and knows the drill. Today it was really funny. I was warned that he claims his food. Today he did that very thing. He rolled in his hay and then decided it had his approval to eat. Tonight I also took my trusty basket to do some pick up and he tried to help. I guess he thinks that red handled thing is his special toy. I have a jolly ball in with him and he moves it around. I need to remember to get him a ball at walmart that he really likes. As I was leaving the arena he gave his little mini nicker. It was really cute. Having a mini with so much personality is a lot of fun. Ashley did a great job as his person.
"The pleasure you get from life is equal to the attitude you put into it"

I am still steamed.

Happy Tuesday!!!
I was miffed at my mistress today so I pretty much ignored when she was cleaning my mini road apples. Well I guess I had to check it out once but went right back to my breakfast. I got some more of those yummy red things and beet pulp today. They are finger oh I mean hoof likin good. I am miffed because on our adventure outside the big gates yesterday my dignity was insulted when a mean man told my person he liked her dog. Well dogs just sniff around and make messy poop where as I have dignity, style and grace. When that woman who lives below rolled down her window and said she liked the big dog my person was walking I could have just kicked her cute little Saturn but I didn't want to get in trouble. Today has not been a good day as my dignity is still insulted. Just wait the next time we go out I am going to show that man and leave him a little present right where he can step in it. I'll make sure it has a powerful odor just for him. I think I'll just put my teeth right into the bumper of that silver thing when no one is looking. Tonight I got to taste apple and it was really good. I'm glad my person cut it up really small for me so I could chew it. Life here is usually pretty good I guess I was just in a bad mood today. Well time to go back and eat here is my quote for today.
"Do one thing every day that scares you. "

Monday, February 26

That fun red toy came to play with me today. My person brings it every morning and I sure like to step on it, bite it and smell what is in the basket. It doesn't taste so very good though. Today I got to try something new for breakfast. That person gave me some beet pulp with these funny red pellets in it. They didn't taste too bad so I ate them. My person says they will give me stuff I need to grow strong bones and teeth. I think she called them vitamins, whatever, they were tasty little morsels but there sure weren't very many of them. I let her pick up all of my hooves and didn't even try to bite her today. I figured why fight the inevitable. This afternoon was really exciting. My person put on that stupid noose she calls a halter and then attached this annoying thing to it she calls a lead rope and I got to go on an adventure. They big gate opened and I was out of the arena. Another big gate opened and I was out on the road. I didn't like the puddles and made sure I walked around them. There were lots of sights to see but I walked right along. I did have to sniff the rocks. We went clear up to the pavement and I got to walk on that too. It smelled funny but we didn't go too far on that. Good thing too or my feet might have gotten sore. On the way home I stopped at another one of those curious water holes and picked up a rock. That person walking with me made me spit it out, it's a good thing because it kinda hurt my teeth. I walked faster on the way home because I wanted to get back to my buddy TC. The great big gate on the road is sorta scary when it just opens but not too bad, I can't figure out how it just opens by itself. Back at home I had to endure the feet up again and I didn't even have a rock in them. I am tired now and resting in my nice snugly house. I can't wait for dinner time to see if I get something new again. That big boy Komet was sure glad to see me back but he acted a little peeved, I'll bet he was just jealous because I got to go through the big gates and he didn't! Remember:
Life is short!! Hug your mini!!

Sunday, February 25

Well Cooper had quite a day. He has decided he likes the manure fork, its a fun toy and follows it around, tries to bite it and makes a general nuisance of himself when I am trying to clean up after him. He really does love having a person. This afternoon the horseshoer was here and decided we should pick up his feet and let him get used to the rasp. He did pretty well. One back foot was not fun but he decided it was really OK. He didn't mind the hasp. It was a good reminder to me to pick up his feet every day. He was rewarded for being so good about his feet,he got to cruise the arena and assert himself with TC through the fence. The little rear was very cute as was the squeal. He ran and ran, jumped and bucked and then settled down to much on whatever he could find. At feeding time he was back home and ready for a rest. Aah a day in the life of a mini who believes he isn't.

Oops I'm behind

Well MC continues to make me laugh. I was in Oklahoma last week end so on Tuesday I thought I would need the wheelbarrow to pick up mini dodo and old wet hay. As soon as I got in with the equipment I noticed the wheelbarrow moving, MC decided it would be a great thing to scratch on, just the right height. He scratched from all sides and thoroughly enjoyed himself. He then had to investigate everything as it went in but he could just barely peek over the top. He had to test the old hay and give his approval for its removal. He didn't even try to escape as the equipment left his pen. About time you picked up that old Dukey!!!

Wednesday was exciting. The double clip on the arena gate chain is very tight to the woofers can't visit the mini whinnies. I had the manure fork in one hand and was trying to latch the gate with the other and lift the gate with my foot. The manure fork has a metal handle and there is a hot wire up to the gate. Boy did I get a jolt when the handle and wire made contact. Up one arm, down the other right to the double clip. Oops, need to pay more attention to those lovely little (big jolt) wires. Got through the mini chores and petted MC and discussed his friends. He loves attention.

Thursday as I was doing my mini chores I left the gate open and MC decided to check out the rest of the arena. He had a good time running about and kicking up his heels. Of course he came over for a little attention too. He was having such a good time he got to stay out all day. He was safely in his mini house last night when Ted went to feed. A guy can only have so much fun in one day!!! Eat your heart out TC, I was out and you weren't nah, nah, nah, nah, nah!

Friday: MC was naughty today. After I did the mini scoop thing I decided to brush MC. Poor guy had a small branch attached to his underside. It was only about 4 inches long but I did have to get it out of his hair. I curried him and then brushed him. It felt so good!! He then got naughty and gave me a little nip. I almost nipped him back but didn't catch him fast enough. No broken skin just the toddler thing. We will discuss it more later. I will be ready next time with a swift response. Komet and TC got to play in the arena this afternoon and MC pouted and wouldn't talk to me. Such is life on the farm. Have a wonderful day and remember each day is a gift!

MC's First Boo Boo all fixed!

And it's all better now.

MC's First Boo Boo

The wind kinda tipped over MC's shelter today.

Gorilla Glue and Duct Tape: Everything a girl needs to survive college life

There's been a few entertaining happenings around The City, lately. (If you don't know what the city is, it's Oklahoma City. Now you can be cool too, and call it the city)

If anybody's wondering, I'm in class right now. Every once in awhile I command+tab to my notes window and jot down a few notes, especially when the prof walks by.

Yesterday morning, I realized that I hadn't fixed the crack in the car door, and it might start getting worse. After fighting with scissors to get the cap off the stupid glue, I took my leatherman to it. The serrated blade. That got r did. I find myself with a gluey knife (I wiped it on my overalls. They can take it. Plus they're camo.) in my hand, conemplating the situation I now found myself in. 1 small crack. 1 very large bottle of glue, with 1 very large applicator. 0 toothpicks to spread. Hmm. I got to thinking, wondering what I could use. There's plenty of random objects in my car. So, I found an old pen. It worked. Getting all the pieces of the cracks on the right sides was entertaining, but eventually worked. My fingers only got glued together a few times.

Last night, Boo ripped the POO out of his blanket. I put him away at like 4, and went back at 9, and he had a big old white spot showing. I saw it from across the field, and got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I was really sure that there was no way that he could have gotten that covered with snow in that short of a period of time. Allow me to preface this by the fact that I looked for the little Twirp for about 45 minutes. I looked, didn't see him, and was thinking "Man, this isn't going to be fun." I saw my friend Sierra's horse, Sabian, standing right next to a big pipe, about 18 inches high. Sabian is a big chunk of horseflesh, going on 16-17 hands. But with him right next to that big old pipe, why, jumping on his back couldn't be any harder than thowing my leg over mom's new addition to the family.

Sabian is generally a pretty laid back fellow. After what I subjected him to last night, he's pretty much a gem. To start out with, some random person that he's seen like twice, comes strolling into his pasture in the middle of the night, looking like an eskimo. I throw a halter on him, and climb up on the pipe and jump on his back, before he even realized that anything had happened. We go strolling off, I ride all around the pasture, find Boo, and let Sabian go.

After realizing just what Boo did to his blanket, I decide to go find some of the handygirl's secret weapon. Naturally, I track down purple duct tape, to match Boo's purple plaid blanket. I briefly consider the notion of gorilla glue, but there's a big difference between the 13 degree (minus windchill, so subzero!) temperature, and the 60 degree temperature that gorilla calls for. After using the better part of the purple rolls of duct tape that I procured during my foray to walmart, I talked to Erin until my phone was dead. That's how skilled of a multitasker I am!

See my new Friend!

My computer savvy is lacking and Ted wasn't around to help so Cooper's life continued without publication yesterday but here is a picture of Coop with his new friend Komet. Cooper likes company!!! He prefers to have a buddy right by him. He is missing his mommy and friend today. He loves his people to say hello when they step out onto the porch and even whinnies the four legged critters that woof at him. He called for his mum last night a few times, with a new baby we are sleeping lighter.

Today I wasn't home but Cooper seems to have survived with the help of his new friends. He really likes his house that his friend Tiny Cloud loaned him. He goes inside but if we go out on the porch he is right there greeting us. I hope to spend some time with the Coop tomorrow. He is just the cutest mini guy around. Maybe we'll go for a walk tomorrow. I think his friends will come to visit again too. Now we have a chicken coop and a Mini-Coop!!!!

Judge Nevin's Court

Today I sat in court and the plaintiff never showed up. Oh well.

A day in the life of Boo!

Yesterday was pretty interesting for little mister Boo. He thought that small furry creatures were generally friendly, and certainly never expected to be blasted with a horrible stencheous spray. So begins the encounter with skunks. Now, call me paranoid, but I've been seeing and smelling skunk everywhere I go ... I've driven past several that were squashed on the road, and have smelled it various places at the barn. I guess it's skunk season.

Back to yesterday, after I called mom giggling about how Boo's horsie friends wouldn't go near him, and how I made him walk behind me at the end of his rope, to go eat his food, mommy suggested I go get some vinegar. And a spray bottle. You know, those horse-eating spray bottles? Yeah, one of those.

After I got to the delightful place of everything one could ever need, (WALMART!) I headed back to spray him down with vinegar. He moved really fast, but at least he knows not to pull, so he went really fast, but stayed within squirting range. He still stunk today, but I didn't feel like taking the vinegar to him again, so he'll just have to smell bad for awhile.

My New Baby

Today was a special day at our house. A week and a half ago with the blessing and encouragement of my family, I bought a mini. It is something I had been thinking about for awhile. One of my 4-H National Hippology team girls was selling her baby mini born in May 2005. He was within my budget from birthday and Christmas gifts so I bought him. She wanted to deliver him and was very excited that I bought him. Even though I am over 50 my love for equines has not diminished and I figured I would be able to handle one this size. I do get along well with my daughter's curly horse that is here while she is at college but he is not mine.
Cooper arrived today in a full size horse trailer, he was very dignified as he jumped out of the trailer. He sized the place up and decided he liked it here as there were other equines to get to know. We took him into the arena and walked him around and let him sniff the mini next to him who is here to keep our curly company. He played the toddler mouth game and then walked away. We turned him loose and he ran and bucked in glee. He really seamed happy to express himself. He checked out his new house and pen and gave it a hoof up. He did panic a bit when his trailer left but settled into getting to know his neighbor better. Gave him some hay and he munched away. He called several times in his cute young mini whinny but didn't seem too upset. I took a chair out and sat and read a book for awhile. He thoroughly checked me out and nibbled on my coat but that zipper just wasn't edible. He stepped on my foot as he was attempting to get as close as he could but did let me have it back, no bruises here, he's too mini!!! After he gave me his approval he munched more hay but came back regularly for a pat or scratch. Our relationship has begun!!!

Adventures of Cat's Booboo, and Mom's new MC!

Mom really likes her new mini!