Jill of all trades

2010-04-02T09:34:00.000-07:00

Sorry my peoples... Due to life, and limited internet, I haven't really been posting... At all! So just to prove that I'm not dead, I put up a post so you can see what I've been up to the past couple months. Some of the pictures are a few months old... Like the one above! This is my Cowboy Christmas outfit for Enchanted Springs Ranch. Some one told me I looked like a giant candy cane... I'm still not sure if that was a compliment or an insult :) Anyways I took it as both just to be safe. I posted a link so y'all can see pictures of my life at the leather shop. It's been real! I know most of you are just on FB now, but for those of you who enjoy blogs, enjoy the pictures! Happy trails! ~Nik

Bunkhouse Leather

2009-09-13T17:33:00.000-07:00

The 3 sisters. Aunt Lisa, Mama and Aunt Pam. No they are not related... Just adopted :)

Evvie playing her solo for the memorial yesterday. She did amazing!

Mhmm... Me getting very nervous before having to go out and play a piece I composed for the memorial yesterday,
right before I left TX on Thursday... Not that I wait until the last minute or anything.

Grampa's Memorial

2009-09-13T17:28:00.000-07:00

Bell Tower at the National Cemetary of Arizona.

the group at Kokopelli Winery last night for dinner. We had our own room which was very nice. Good food too.

Grampa's marble slab.

The cemetary is an amzing place. But it is very sobering.

2009-09-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

Cool sunset!! clouds above the clouds!! This was taken on the trip to AZ this weekend.

2 days of glorious rain started to fill the ravine that runs beside our house.

LOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Tuesday afternoon I had the priviledge to go to ESR and help with a 1minute 30 second commercial that will air at every Spurs basketball game this season. What a hoot!!!! We didn't run on schedule at all, and ended up getting rained out. The pictures from that whole ordeal will come as soon as I get my hands on the disc. We ended up shooting the next afternoon to finish the whole deal, and got everything the director wanted, including a cattle stampede, using me as bait. Yeah... That was fun!!! But my life at ESR is never dull!!!
I love my job!

Last scene off the Spurs comercial

2009-09-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

This cowboy was.... interesting... :P

Here are some for real retired Texas Rangers. Mr. Cody is in the middle. He is very funny, and quite a good sport!!! He had to deal with Maverick, our crazy horse at the ranch for 3 hours. Dealing with Maverick for any length of time could make a saint swear!

Waiting to shoot the final Jailhouse scene.

Myyyyy Preciousssssssssss!!!

2009-09-12T09:47:00.000-07:00

Lasst week we had a power surge, and my computer gave up the ghost...

So... My friend Matt happened to have a spare PC lying around, and so one evening he came over and was able to pull
all my info off my old hard drive and install it on my new (old) PC.

What a mess!!!!!!

Thank you so much, Matt!!!! You are awesome!!! I love my new computer!!!!

2009-09-12T09:42:00.000-07:00

Here we have Dutch, Mr. Kraus's new pony

And our new baby!!! at 15 months old, Eclipse stands at about 5'6 at his back, and he has a long way to go!!!

Happenings

2009-09-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

My friend Kate had her Percheron baby delivered 2 weeks ago. Meet Eclipse!

" Don't Spit in My Truck!"

2009-08-25T17:43:00.000-07:00

Here are some assorted pictures from my trip to MI. I am SO writing 3 books in the
Common Knowledge Among Horse People series. The first one is titled:

1 . Trailer for less: You CAN do it!
A practical guide to help you restore your horse trailer without breaking the bank!

2. Don't Spit In My Truck!
The hilarious journey of 3 cowgirls as they cross the United States in a miraculous 3 day trip, despite huge obstacles.

3. Woven
Proof that miracles do happen: Annick's chronicle of how the journey began. (The end of this story still remains to be written)

I am dead serious about theses books, although I won't be finishing them til January at the earliest. So anyways, here are a few pictures to sum up the trip (sort of) and now that I have a camera, I'll try to be more faithful about posting!!!

Howdy, Y'all!!! this was taken the first day of the trip back to MI

From Nikpix

What I had waiting for me....

From Nikpix

Our graffiti!!!!

From Nikpix

Thompsons all grown up.... Rather scary!!

From Nikpix

>
From Nik

From Nikpix

The Last Supper. This was on Friday night in AR. We stopped at a Wal Mart to get some real food and let the horses eat., drink and be merry (ok, rest...) for 2 hours while the humans sat in the parking lot and drank milk shakes. Yum!!

From Nikpix

Bubba in his part of the trailer

From Nikpix

Brite in his part of the trailer. We found out the last day why the boys were "eating" their hay out of the hay bags so fast... Brite would stand there and just pull the hay out and paw it up into a big hump underneath himself!!!!! The little pig!!! there was almost half a bale under him!!!!

From Nikpix

Ari <3

Ev the backseat driver, keeper awaker, and Nagivator (spelled correctly)

From Nikpix

Me, myself and I.

From Nikpix

What we saw out the window.

From Nikpix

My beautiful and sweet Kate <3

Sugar who spent the entire trip either on somebody or in the truck's center console. LOL!

From Nikpix

Mat and Sugar on Saturday night at the Kraus's. What a hoot!!! Talk about a good time... You could probably hear us laughing a mile away...

From Nikpix

Sunday afternoon Mat & Kate took us on a tour of their ranch (as of now) and we went 4-wheeling in the lake!!!!! Or what used to be the lake...

Last but not least, a picture of me riding with Mat (invisble) Just after we climbed a 50 degree rock wall on the way to go drive around in the lake. As you can see I was terrified... WaHOO!! what a ride!!!

From Nikpix

Tribute to Jonathan

2009-06-11T19:41:00.000-07:00

I wrote this song for my little David, my special buddy when his parents held him as he went to be with Jesus a few years ago. The pain from that day is still as fresh on my heart as on the day I heard he had gone home. May heart aches for the Wegner family, as they feel the empty spot that Jonathan left behind.

Safely home, forever free:
Walking with Jesus, eternally
You lived your life, just as God planned
Throughout the whole time you were in His hands

Little one, precious lamb
Safely in the Shepherd's holy land.
Resting with Jesus,
in His arms you are safe from all sorrow and pain.

Safely home, forever free:
Walking with Jesus, eternally
You lived your life, just as God planned
Throughout the whole time you were in His hands

I cherished the treasure of your life,
the gift of your smile, that made all seem right:
The first time I held you, in my arms it was if I'd been
given the world.

Safely home, forever free:
Walking with Jesus, eternally
You lived your life, just as God planned
Throughout the whole time you were in His hands

One more child has gone to Jesus,
One more lamb tucked within the fold,
One more voice joins the angels choir,
Sing 'round the Father's throne.

Welcome home little Jonathan, We love you so much, and we can't wait to see you again :)

~Love,
Annick

Your opinions, PLEASE!!!!!

2009-06-02T19:35:00.000-07:00

I need a name for my work at the ranch, here are a few suggestions. I'd like it to be original and of course, COOL! Vote on one or create your own!

Rosalie Durham

Joan Wayne

Sally Grit

Smoke Signal Jess

Tanner Jill

Niknac Shack

Some of my more popular nicknames are Jess, Jill & Nik. Most everyone on the ranch calls me Nikki... Except for my boss, Paula... She says "Hey, Nik,Nikki...Annick!" Pretty much every time :P

Well, thats all for now folks, Please give it your best effort!!!

~Jill

Now you can laugh!

2009-05-18T18:51:00.000-07:00

Howdy, y'all! Just a funny post because SOME ppl have been clamouring to see one of my new

work outfits. the skirt turned out really cool, except in the store it looked like it was a blue brown

and I brought it home and realized its the color of mud... But thats ok!! I'll be working around lots of mud!

The shirt was pretty much made up.. The next 2 shirts will turn out better I think, now I know what I need to change.
If'n y'all are ever in the Boerne, Texas area, drop by Enchanted Springs Ranch!

I'll see ya there ;)

Happy 21st Birthday, Rachel!!!!!!!

2009-05-15T07:59:00.001-07:00

This post is for my friend Rachel <3 Today is her 21st Birthday. I miss her very much and I wish I was back home in MI to give her a big hug !!!!!!!!

Over the years I have lost many friends, and Rachel has been one of the only ones to always stay steadfast, no matter what comes our way. I thank God for Rachel, she is a great inspiration to me, and I greatly admire her sweet, teachable spirit.

I love you Rachel!!!! may God bless you richly in this coming year!!!

Happy Birthday!

Love and hugs,
~Nique

Let me introduce my ponies :)

2009-05-11T16:02:00.000-07:00

This is JoJo, He is a 23 yr old Thoroughbred gelding. I've been working him once a week for my boss, JoeMike Johnson at Triple H .

This is Nickers, she belongs to Mr. Krause . She had some bad training a little while ago, and
he brought her back to Triple H to get some rehab. She is a sweet girl :)
These are my littlest ones <3 Rusty & Stoney. (nickers stuck her head in for fun)
Rusty and Stoney are Clydesdales.
They love visits and carrots.... Carrots mostly ;)
And this is my Z! ZiZi is a Percheron/Quarter Horse mare. Her owner is Mrs. Peggy Krause.
I ride Z for Miss Peggy.
She is working on taming her "Free Spirit" to be content with being a quiet trail horse.
Zizi is amazing to ride, she has so much heart.

This is JoJo today, at the end of our riding session, giving me a beautiful collected trot
with counter bend. This takes great skill and patience. JoJo is trying so hard!
JoJo always gives me a little YEHAW!!! Evry time we ride, just to make sure I don't get bored ;)
The key is to stay calm, and wait for him to put all 4 feet on the ground again (literally)
No matter how tired I am, I always end on a good note. Its well worth the extra time:)
Anyways, this is just a glimpse of a few of the horses I work with.

Adios!
~Jill

Happy Birthday Ryan!!

2009-05-09T21:26:00.000-07:00

This post if for my awesome brother Ryan :) Today is his 15th Birthday!! I am so proud of the way he chooses to follow God, and how he is always so encouraging to me. This passage is for you Ryan!! Keep up the good fight!

Proverbs 3

¹My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

²For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

³Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

⁴So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

⁵Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

⁶In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

⁷Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

⁸It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

⁹Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

¹⁰So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

¹¹My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

¹²For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

¹³Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

¹⁴For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

¹⁵She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

¹⁶Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

¹⁷Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

¹⁸She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

¹⁹The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

²⁰By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

²¹My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:

²²So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

²³Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

²⁴When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

²⁵Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

²⁶For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

²⁷Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

²⁸Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

²⁹Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

³⁰Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

³¹Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

³²For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.

³³The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

³⁴Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

³⁵The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Happy 15th Birthday, little (taller) brother!!!!

Your sis,

* Sparkles*

A Miracle

2009-05-07T13:42:00.000-07:00

hey everyone!!!!

Jill here with some exciting news!!!

Today I had my first ever interview for a job at

Enchanted Springs Ranch, located in Boerne, TX

86 acres of rolling hills and trees and 2 spring fed creeks full of fish, turtles and

water moccassins... yeah ;)

E.S.Ranch also has an authentic old west town, popular with movies makers and people wanting a western wedding. Miss Paula, (my new boss) Took me on a tour of the buildings and out into the fields to visit all the animals. Buffalo, Longhorns, Axis & Chinese Water deer, zebras,turkeys, a peacock,and even 2 reindeer! I was imediately adopted by Pepper, Miss Paula's red Heeler. since tourist season has not yet started, I will be working only part time to learn the ropes. I'm so excited about this new opportunity! There is also a possiblity that I might be able to set up a leather shop there, and either sell to the ranch, or give them a comission of my sales.

So, thats about it, my people, I will post some pictures when I can.

Thank you all so much for your prayers, I cannot tell you how much it means to me

to know that you care.

Love to all,

~Jill

Nik's Log Homes: Custom Built for You!

2009-04-25T15:49:00.000-07:00

2 Fridays ago we had our monthly hymn sing with a few families from BCA. (Boerne Christian Assembly) Some of the little boys discovered the giant basket of Lincoln logs... This is Josiah Hyslop and his log home I built.

Ah, I dearly love a cottage, complete with 2 horses of course! This is the house I built for myself :) I was Josiah's nearest neighbor. He had my little cowboy dude over for some burgers. MMMMM!!

Behold Isobella Grady, infant phenomenon! Someone gave her a violin,and I grabbed a camera!
Josiah is my little buddy <3 onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mhezknekbXM/SfOXeVV6-AI/AAAAAAAACbA/I2XT4eKWgCE/s1600-h/IMG_7380.JPG">And this little one is Gracianna Hope Hyslop. I held her when she was a newborn :) I can't believe how much these precious ones grow :'(

So, there's a post 2 weeks late :)

laters!
~Jill

THE SCARY PIE

2009-04-10T16:17:00.000-07:00

So, I dug myself into a nice huge crater the size of Alaska a few days ago by telling my Grampa during his hospital visit "If you're good for the doctor, when we get home I'll make you a strawberry rhubarb pie!" That is his favorite kind. My word!!! I don't bake pies!!! Unless sorely provoked... The last pie I made was also a strawberry rhubarb pie, and that was in September 2 years ago, after my Grampa had major cancer surgery.

Rule NO. 1
If all else fails, Grandfathers can always be persuaded with pie... Actually any guy can (I think...)

LOL! Anyways, yeah! So, the only problem with telling my Grampa that, was that I forgot rhubarb actually has a growing season... which starts around July...
And it happens to be April.

Instructions for use:
Put foot in mouth. Bite down hard.

Rule No.2
NEVER... I mean ALWAYS check to make sure pie filling of choice is in season before offering it to a man.

So, Annick's free spirit brain begins to spin "how in the world am I going to get out of this mess..." Here I promised my Grampa something that isn't even growing yet. That is really bad! it will break his heart if he doesn't get it.

Weyall....
I started wondering if it was possible to substitute something for the rhubarb, that was similar in taste, texture, etc.

(snicker)Heh heh heh... Guess what I came up with?

Yep, CELERY!!!!!
Peeled really well, boiled in lemon juice with a few strawberries, until it turns pinkish... then drained and mixed with the strawberries and some sugar. Tada!!!! It really does look &taste like rhubarb... I think (not that I really know)

So, the humor of the situation is that my Grampa is legally blind. So, I'm hoping he won't be able to tell the difference between rhubarb and what-annick-decided-to-put-in-the-pie. Yes.

Now, I'm just hoping that my Grampa will just eat the pie and say "It's good..." Just like usual. What I'm dreading is this " why does the pie taste weird?"

Oh brother... This is going to be bad... Perhaps I should not give up my day job. For real!!!!

Guess I'll tell you later what happened ;)

Until then,
Don't fall off the edge of your chair!!

~Jill (I'll post a picture of the scary pie later...)

Now that I'm here...

2009-04-02T17:37:00.000-07:00

Greetings, my fellow Americans :)

Just a few lines to let y'all know that I've arrived all safe and sound here in sunny Arizona. Its good to be here, both to see my grandparents, and to help them out with projects around the house, cook, bake, clean, fix the garbage disposal, etc.

So far today, I was up until 2 am coughing ( sudden allergies for the first time here on this earth, thanks to something or other in TX...) After waking up somewhat grumpy and definatly exhausted, I went running even though I was still half asleep ( that's always entertaining ;)... )

Had breakfast, then tried to sleep for an hour or so outside in the sunshine... that was nice :) Made lunch, went to the library got a really good book by Chuck Norris (YEAH!!!!) Came home, read for an hour and then made a martini.And now I'm making dinner... Or waiting for it to finish :) Hungry? Come on over ! We are having sweet potato fries, my special green beans (yes the recipe is a secret) and chicken sausages. I might make some biscuits or something, we'll see. Well, that's about all for now, we'll see what pans out later :) Be blessed my friends :)

OH, and I KNOW you were wondering about the martini... Don't worry, it was for my Grampa, I can't stomach the stuff ;)

Miss you all so much :'(,

~Jill

Spell-Binding stories

2009-03-23T15:55:00.000-07:00

At church after our "pot providence" meal we cooool girls, Ellen, Natasha, Trina, Clara, Jill, Delaney, Larissa and I were sitting in a circle on the ground telling stories. They begged me to tell a few of mine, and so I did! But I wanted to hear some of theirs as well :)

Apparently we drew a little bit of attention, from ppl thinking we were having too much fun, or so I found out later... Around 3:30, We and the DeLa's were invited to the Rugloski's house for some dinner and fellowship.

Heres what I tried not to hog...

This is Hannah, the latest 'Rug' edition :) She's such a cutie <3 >After eating, and me going outside with the little ones to play school (now there's a story there) We had a time of Bible study and singing :)

This is John, my little buddy for the night. He was kind enough to take me on a night time tour of their property, with his ultra-cool, handy-dandy emergency spotlight! And trust me, it was a good thing He had that, because I am deathly afraid of the alligators that prowl around their backyard. ( They look like dogs, but they are for REAL!!! Alligators... I think...)
A late night game of Bluff, A new game for me, but hilarious!! I still love Spoons the best!!!! John was sitting on my lap, and is a hilarious bluff team mate, because he could never bluff! It always showed on his face!! We laughed so hard!!! John also showed me his giant pet tiger, which I was thrilled to be allowed to pet!!! Silent James also had a tiger, and showed it to me as well :)

This shy young cowboy James was quite the handsome dude, but wouldn't talk to me at all... Even after I played with him and pushed him on the swing. But he did let me give him a brownie, and he let me go on the night tour with him and John, so I guess that's a start!

We started our game of "school" during the later part of the afternoon. Lol! at least it wasn't orphanage... Anyways I was the teacher, and I had a class of rowdy but lovable students. Kathryn, John, Phillip & James. In the space of half an hour, we not only had school, but we also had lunch, a field trip to Wal Mart, recess, several hair-raising bus rides, a tour of a chicken coop, and to top it all off, we nearly got lost on the prairie coming back from the coop, and almost lost a few students!!! I tell you, it was quite a journey!!! But in the end, all was well! And so we had a wonderful evening, in which I made some new little friends, And I hope to see them all on Sundays in the future, where we will have some more grand times!!

A picture is worth 1000 words...

2009-03-17T05:20:00.000-07:00

But if you still want me to tell you 50 things about myself, then of course I will...

1. After 21 years, I'm still getting used to ppl calling me Annick. (don't ask me why, but its true...ok you can ask me...)
2.I love to go barefoot, all the time, through mud,rocks, the house...
3.I still love to ride shopping carts around the store.(it's on of the only reasons I go shopping with my mom)Trust me, the best carts to ride are in the IKEA warehouses... IT'S AWESOME!!!!!!
4. Both my Grandpa's were Lt.s in the ARMY-AIRFORCE: One on the Pacific ocean,and one on the Atlantic. I guess you could say I'm well covered. I'm immensly proud ouf them :)
5. I love to drive and work heavy machinery, tractors, haybines, etc. Skid-steers are my favorite.
6. The one thing that drives me absolutely stark raving mad, is to watch ppl work slowly, or really really lazily. It annoys me out of my mind.
7. I'm saving up for a Ruger 9mm hand gun, and my CCW permit >:)
8. I love to feed ppl. Cook for them whatever, just feed them!!!
9. I like to make really cool stuff out of camo.
10. I wish someone would take me hunting
11.I wish someone would teach me how to weld.
12. I love to work with crazy horses.
13. I like to drive horses
14.I being a farrier, but its money, ok?
15. I smile a lot... but hopefully not to the point of being annoying :)
16. I have blue eyes, but that was a little obvious...
17. I have a ton of nick names, some of which I hate :)
18. I'm really picky about how I make my bed.
19. I love to irish dance, even though I'm really bad at it.
20. Lots of people thing I'm way younger than 21 based on the way I play with kids. (YES!!!!!)
21. One time I played capture the flag in a swamp. And ran through the swamp up to my waist just so the boys wouldn't get me. and YES I won the game...
22. Sometimes I sleep in my leather shop just because the leather smells so good.
23. I can do a really good Orphan Keeper Lady imitation.
24.I've lived in MI all my life,except for now...
25.I really wish they made guys cologne that smelled like wood smoke... Mmmmm!
26.I really like to get dirty when I'm working. Either outside or under the car...
27. I really like to do cement work. If you haven't tried it, you should!! It's really cool
28.I cannot drive a stick shift :'( No ones ever had the patience to teach me.
29. When I get angry or sad I tend to withdraw into myself, and to other people, it seems like I'm all happy; but I'm really just hiding the pain.
30. My friends come and go as they please. A few stick around. Most leave because I'm just too crazy to tolerate.
31. My favorite way to cook is to go into the fridge or pantry and just make up something yummy :)
32.A few years ago I was really good at baseball and got the nick-name "Power Hitter" Figure it out yourself :)
33. I like to give foot and back massages.
34. Concerning horses, I've been bucked off, reared with, thrown off, trampled on, run over, dragged, etc. But it's never bothered me :)
35. Sometimes I go out to the woods where no one can laugh at me and just dance :)
36.I used to model for an artist. That was not fun...But it was lucrative.
37. I am very easily entertained, and can laugh at pretty much anything.
38. If I want to I can sit there for the longest time and just totally blank out...No brain waves in the head ...
39. I have never fainted in my entire life, but have always wanted to try it, and see what it feels like :)
40.Sometimes I like to wear long fancy dresses, just because :)
41.One time as I was riding the shopping cart out of Walmart, the manager saw me, and took the time to say that I rode it very well! I was quite pleased :)
42. I'm a really good groom. I really enjoy making horses and dogs look good:)
43.I'm a really good hair stylist. I really enjoy making girls look beautiful for their special days :)
44.I really love to work behind the scenes, or staffing events. That means you get to go through the doors that say "STAFF ONLY" its really cool, and really fun!
45.At weddings when the bride comes down the isle, I always watch the groom... He always looks like I've imagined Jesus to look when we finally get to heaven.
46. I love to go rock climbing, and would like to do it a ton more than I get too :(
47. My favorite time of the day to go running or horseback riding is dawn...It's just so beautiful watching the sun come up, and the mist burning away
48. I'll get up in the middle of the night, on those nights when the moon is so bright its like day, and just enjoy the quiet. You should try it! It's incredible what silence sounds like...
49.I really love to cuddle and give hugs; and the best part about babysitting is when we're watching a movie or reading story, and the kids all huddled up to me :)
50.I can ride my bike with no hands... Most of the time!

Now that you know these 50 things about me, what is your opinion?

A Few Stories...

2009-03-06T08:27:00.000-08:00

Hi my people!!!

I have returned to post!!!! Aren't you excited?????! Yeah, sure... Anyways, most of you know I always have a strange or funny story to tell about my life or soemthing that happened to me.

First story: This happened a few days ago on the way home from 3H, the ranch where we girls volunteer 3x a week. We share our driveway with 5 other houses. It is very narrow, and there is only one lane. What happens when you have 2 way traffic? Well, somebody has to back up until they find a place to pull over and let the other car pass. Now this is not as easy thing... Because there are very few places to pull off the driveway. Most of the driveway is lined with just barbed wire and trees!!!! Anyways, we were on our way up the driveway after 3H, and as we rounded the last bend we saw our land lord pulled off to the side to let us pass. How nice :) Being friendly, I waved my thanks as I drove by. And what did he do in return?????!!!! HE SALUTED ME!!!!

For a few seconds I wasn't sure why... usually ppl just nod or wave in return...And then I colapsed laughing as I realized the reason he had greeted me in this way...

Check out the hat...LOL!!!!! That was the reason... He saw my hat and thought I was in the Service. By this time Al and Trina had also realized why I got a salute and were laughing as well!

Ok. Next story. This one is a little more serious.

I was in Walmart the other day with my mom, just enjoying the thrill of riding the shopping cart around (yes, I know "how immature") trying not to crash into my mom or other people and as we were going down the shampoo isle a bottle of horse shampoo caught my eye. Can you belive it??!! Horse shampoo at Walmart, I love it!!! Anyways I got distracted and stopped the cart to look at this shampoo deal, and lost sight of my mom

after a few minutes, I realized she was gone, so I went off to look for her. She was just coming back to get me. Anyways, we went over to the make- up department and she was looking at something while I entertained myself by watching a tube of mascara spin around inside this little case deal. ( Now THAT was entertaining) I must have been paying to much attention, because I suddenly realized that my mom had told me something important, and I had totally missed out on what she had said except for the ".....thats where I'll be" part. A few minutes later, I realized she was gone, and I turned the cart towards the check out area scanning the crowds for signs of my mom. I knew she hadn't gone far, but I sure get tired of looking at 20 different kinds of black mascara, that all claim to do something cool, So I wanted to find my mom, because I was sure she was having more fun. :) As I stood there behind my cart rocking it back and forth while I scanned the crowds, This black guy walked by and then stopped and came back. He was wearing cool shoes, and had those cool mirror sunglasses on (inside the store??!! duh...) and he had a bluetooth, too! Anyways, he came up to me and said out of the blue "Hey, whats your name?" (And here's where I was an idiot, I told him.) "Annick".

Cool dude: "Annick, wow thats pretty... So Annick, are you ok?"

Me (giving him a weird look) "Yes... I'm fine, thanks"

Cool dude: "Uh, are you here with somebody?"

Me: "Yeah, I'm here with my mom..." (thats when I started thinking this guy is weird, and stealthily reach into my purse until my hand closed around my Mossberg hunting knife)

Cool dude: "Oh...really... ok... Um, how old are you?

Me (somewhat smugly) "21"

Upon hearing this, Cool dude looks shocked then does an abrupt turn around and takes off.

Tsk, tsk, tsk... Isn't that just too bad!! And here I thought he was genuinely interested in my well-being ;) Apparently, I appeared way younger than I was, and he thougth I was a lost little girl. Man, you should've seen his face!! Priceless! but the next time this happens, I'll be ready. And this is what I'll say:

Cool dude"Hey, whats your name?"

Me: "Barfa".

Cool dude: "Barfa, wow thats pretty... So Barfa, are you ok?"

Me (giving him a weird look) "What does it look like to you???!"

Cool dude: "Uh, are you here with somebody?"

Me: "Yeah, I'm here with GOD." (thats when I started thinking this guy is weird, and stealthily reach into my purse until my hand closed around my Mossberg hunting knife)

Cool dude: "Oh...really... ok... Um, how old are you?

Me (somewhat smugly) "Older than you think I am, apparently..."

Once again, I have to thank my bestest adopted brother Collin for him timely gift of that hunting knife... It's quite reassuring :) So thank you, Collin :)

And there you have it my people!!! Another story!!!

Hope this never happens to you,

But laugh away anyway!

HEY PPL!!!! CHECK OUT THIS BLOG!!!!

2009-02-28T11:33:00.001-08:00

There is good stuff here!!!! Very good theological questions! Some of you know Jonathan Clark.

This is his blog! So read away!!!!

AlphaOri0n

Yet another story....

2009-02-25T06:18:00.000-08:00

As you know, my ppl... Annick always has a strange story to tell about something that happened to her. Today is no different! This story involves me opening my big mouth (which is always dangerous anyway) and giving my opinion on what my sisters and I enjoy most about our life:

Place: Boerne Christian Assembly, Sunday Feb 22, 2008

Persons invloved: Mama, Mrs. Strackbine & daughters (and at the last minute yours, truly)

Context: Talking about our lives.

Details: I was not really part of this whole deal until the last few minutes, as I was busy doing my usual Sunday exercise of chasing boys... (it never ends!!!!!) I had noticed Mama talking to a lady and her daughters, but didn't want to join in the conversation because running around was more fun at the moment. Finally, most everybody went home, and I didn't have anyone to chase, and was no longer being chased myself. So I made my way over to where Mama was talking, walking carefully as my feet are still getting used to Texas rocks.

Mama & Mrs. S were in the middle of an animated conversation, so I kinda stood off to the side and listened... Until I noticed the subject of the conversation behind Mama. Papa and the Deamers were talking to John Sauve' about the rodeo we attended Saturday night. That sounded WAY more interesting, so I moved over that aways... Lol!!! John was in the middle of saying how he didn't know how bronc riders were scored for their ride... Heheheh... Well...

I did!!!!! >:)

So I started to generously enlighten everyone... The funny thing was that I was standing behind John, and he being 6'-something it looked really funny because nobody knew I was there until I started talking... I think I scared John, because he didn't know I was there. Anyways, I soberly gave them the info on how to score bronc rides and then shut up.

Meanwhile, Mama is still talking to Mrs. S about her daughters names and ages and then introduces us, and tells how old we are... (man, why do I always have to tell ppl how old I am???)

This process is sometimes quite entertaining, as in this case, Mrs. S & her daughters had seen me running around with the little ones, and I'm sure she wasn't expecting me to be as old as I am... Anyways, Mrs S was asking what we girls do all day, (being home schooled we get that a lot "So... what DO you do all day???") and usually there is a little pause,because we're trying to figure out how not to scare ppl, by telling them what we usually do... All our assorted home businesses have a startling effect on ppl. Anyways, during the pause, I was overcome by the desire to show off my witty brain, so I came up with the greatest line to explain what we girls do during the day. Here's what I said: "what do we do all day? Why, we sit around watching soap operas on TV and eating bon-bons!!!!!! It is quite thrilling!"

Anyways... so everyone pretty much fell apart upon hearing that line... I was so serious too, I guess that helped! Anyways, the bad part of this was that I never did tell Mrs S. what we REALLY do all day... So that is very bad!!!!!! And there goes Annick Marshall's sterling reputation!!!! been nice knowing you! Have a good life!

Be blessed, my fellow Americans! God reins!!!

All work and no play...

2009-02-17T13:47:00.000-08:00

Hey my ppl... not much going on here... but read away!

Oh ya! on Sunday we was gettin' ready to leave for church and I was upstairs and heard my dog going absolutely NUTS in the back yard. I thought it was just a person walking by or something, but she was sure making a big deal out of it!

Well this is who the "person" turned out to be...

5 longhorns had escaped from the ranch and were walking around pestering ppl... (On a SUNDAY OF ALL THINGS!!!) I was about to go get my lariat and herd them all back up the hill to where they belonged. But my dad wanted to leave for church. MAN!!! So annoying... But you know, life is what happens while you're making other plans :)

weyall,

I've been working a lot recently... A lot of repairs, and some custom work, belts wallets, etc. The other day, I got a pile of repairs from 3H,so that was fun... one saddle with a busted horn...

some horse went under something that it wasn't supposed too... MAN!!!! I hate taking those things apart... the tree was all splintered too..., because it was one of those synthetic western saddles...

so after some Gorilla glue, saddle nails, and some re-enforcing webbing, and a few wounds ... tada! good as new!!! ( I really impress myself sometimes...) Anyways... I also fixed a halter that our draft horse broke... Just because she wanted too. Yep, that would be our Daisy chain... Such a trickster!!!

at 8 yrs old she stands taller than my head...

What else... Ah! a bridle... that one was a pain, but whatever the customer wants!!! Besides that, its been RAINING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!

I've been missing the rain...

The 3 Things about Texas

2009-02-12T06:03:00.000-08:00

I'm still slow to post as my conputer is very touchy...

But just to let y'all know I'm alive and kicking!!!!!

If you are interested, I posted the 3 things I have discovered about Texans...

1. They are obsessed with GATES!!!! Everything has a gate, even if it doesn't have a fence... which doesn't make much sense to me, but whatever.

2. They are obsessed with reflectors on the road. You go out at night, and it looks like you're driving on a jet runway!!! yellow, white and red reflectors everywhere!!!!!

3. If you as girl are wearing a cowboy hat, and a cowboy meets you, They will tip their hat to you, rather than just say "Ma'am" Its really cool!

I found this out because we went to a therapeutic riding ranch about 20 mins from our house and I was wearing my hat of course (it is Texas) and when the main cowboy was meeting my fam,and shaking their hands, he got to me and I said "Nik" he shook my hand then tipped his hat. MUAHAHA!

The End.

Tagged!

2009-02-04T05:48:00.000-08:00

Since you requested, here I go again :) At least its not 25 things, like I did the other day...

1. A movie I've watched: Cranford surprisingly good, and a good lesson in gossip which plagues even Christians today. I have been guitly of it, ( I think) and despise it above all other things.

2. A new skill I aquired: How to drive Park Rd. 37 like a race car driver. Smooth and fast!!!!!

(pk rd. 37 is the turniest road in TX I think!!)

3. A lesson I've learned: How to bridle my wayward tongue. Especially when strangers revile me undeservedly. Very hard for me to accept... But I am trying !!

4. A new place I've visited: Man! I can't say Texas, becuase I've been here before... Ah!!! The San Antonio Independant Christian Film Festival! Tada!!! Loved it!

5. A book I've read: Ok I will be truthful here... I've been trying to read my Bible more...On a regular basis, and I mean really read not just pick out chapters that are my favorite.

6. An inspiring quote or verse "But ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord; walk as children of light" Ephesians 5:8 This is a hard verse for me to live up too, but it is also very inspiring.

Well, I hope you're happy my people, and I'm sorry I don't post very much, But my laptop is a dinosaur, and shorts out continually!!!!!!!!!!!!

But besides that!

Be blessed!

~Annick

You want me to post????

2009-01-26T06:36:00.000-08:00

Ok... So my ppl are beggin for post... Here's what happened so far... My bestest friend in Indiana, Zy came down for a week to go to the film festival. We had a blast goofing off!

I miss Rachel! I'm so lonely out here... Nobody likes to play with me, so I spend a lot of time taking my dog for walks, and playing games with little kids at church

Kelsie my blue heeler, really likes Texas, But hates being tied out on a cable all the time... So she eats it, and her collars and harnesses.... Which I then have to replace... AUGH!

Other than that, I still have no work, so I've been praying for God to show me what He has in mind before I go bankrupt...

2009-01-19T08:22:00.000-08:00

My blog has moved here:

Jill of All Trades

2008-07-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Well, here's what I've been doing lately... Fooling around with web stuff... pretty cool!