Crochet Me Crazy

This summer is going by sooooo fast! I can't say that I will be sorry for summer to be over because it will become peaceful around here, but I always hate to see cold weather coming. Yes, even as hot as it gets in Texas, I still prefer the heat to cold any day. I work outside or in the gift shop that has no air conditioning every day. I wonder if everyone around here at the park is going to have a big celebration when summer is over? I think we will feel like it!

I normally work in the visitor's center today but Mrs. Stable asked me if I could work today. They had a death in the family and they had to be at a funeral today. I like working there better than the visitor's center anyway. Plus, I actually get paid to work at the stables so it's okay with me. Alison is now getting up extra early to go with her Daddy. They start saddling at 7:30 am. She is helping bridle and saddle the horses that aren't too heavy for her to lift. She has been waiting to get to ride a horse around on her own when we don't have a ride. Today, she rode Macho, the mule, around the parking lot. He trotted around with her.

(See that shirt? I crocheted that awhile back)
Then she rode Shilo. He did very well for her and she galloped around on him. She got off that horse on an absolute high. Galloping! I tried to post a video of her riding on here but it doesn't seem to work.... Something is happening to my daughter...she is getting out of bed at 6:30 in the morning because she WANTS to! She has been playing an online game for years and has been working toward a goal...Last night, she announced as if she finally made a decision. "I love Princess more than Runescape...I don't care if I get my Cape (her goal) anymore. I'll just work on it when I have time." She had it all planned out of how much she had to do on the game a day to meet her goal. Now, she has a new goal. Tonight, she said...it's sad...I just grabbed something out of my closet and I don't even care if I straighten my hair! Her priorities are changing. Yeah, you don't have time to look beautiful when you have to get up at the crack of dawn to take care of horses. At least she's seeing the reality of it. I wonder if the novelty will where off?

Michael decided he wanted to ride a horse around too. Of course, he insisted on riding one of the more stubborn ones, Bandit. Bandit will charm you. He loves attention and gets jealous and bites the other horses. He ended up going wherever Bandit wanted. He ended up in the barn and to his credit, he actually got the horse to come out! Bandit galloped around with Michael on him. Michael was never in danger though. He was laughing the whole time. Riding the horse on the trail ride is a whole different ball game that trying to take them off by themselves!

Michael's rocks have been a popular item in the gift shop. The first day he made them, he sold two of them and one was stolen! I told him that was a compliment. People like them because they have the horses names on them. People remember their horses and ask for the same one the next year when they come.





Well, I can say that this whole experience with the horses sure has made this being poor and not having an income very bearable for the kids. I'm very thankful for all that we've been able to experience and learn. People have been very good to us. I don't even think the kids would give it up for a job and a house in Houston again....and I don't know if we would either for that matter.

Alison likes sayings and she writes ones that she likes down in a book. Last night she told me, this one used to bring her comfort when Daddy first got laid off, we sold our house, and things were so uncertain....
"Beautiful pictures are developed in a dark room. So, if you see darkness in your life, be sure that a beautiful pictures is being prepared by God." She said now that she can see the beautiful picture. Isn't that sweet? Hopefully, our picture will be developed soon and we will begin to "see" the picture that we couldn't see in the dark room.

Tonight is our "Friday" so we're going to sit around a campfire. When it gets good and dark, we're all going get our blankets and pillows and look at the stars.