Rodeo Shirts: Done!

 Time passes quickly when you are working under a deadline, and while I have had about six weeks since I offered to make new rodeo shorts for Cambria and Titan, I have needed that time to get their shirts completed and mailed in time for their first rodeo of the season.

I thought it would be fun to embroider western designs on the yokes of the shirts

and so I did a lot of experimenting with colors and motifs.

Because Jessica chose a bandana fabric for Titan's yokes,

I ended up skipping the embroidery. Practice pieces just did not show well up against the background.

Cambria's shirt was different - try as I might, I could not find a bandana fabric that went well with the fuchsia gingham.

Embroidery-wise, that worked in my favor.

I used white for the yokes and fuchsia embroidery thread, and was pleased with the results.

Titan's shirt looked fine to me with no embroidery

or appliqués like I had done last year. (He got Star Wars; Cambria got a unicorn. )

Still, I decided to add a Batman appliqué for him knowing that that would make him smile.

I was really happy with how the shirts turned out. (Yes, I am hanging Cambria's rodeo shirt from a china Melbaware drafter, but that piece is so heavy, I wasn't worried about it sliding off.)

It took almost a week to finish up the shirts, and then I got to the stage I had DREADED last year - adding the pearl snaps. But that had ended up being easier than I'd anticipated, so after putting the snaps off for a couple of hours, I came back to the sewing table, took a deep breath, and got started.

Success! And once again, very easy.

I think Cambria and Titan are going to like their shirts, and I plan to tuck a little surprise into the shirts' pockets for them - just for luck.

Rodeo Season Approaches

Jessica and I were chatting the other day, and she mentioned that Cambria and Titan are entered in three rodeos this summer. Cambria is a veteran mutton buster but this will be Titan's first time - he's finally old enough to give it a try.

Last year was Cambria's second year of rodeoing and she had told her parents that her goal was to win a championship buckle. We all smiled and hoped that she would not be too disappointed when the buckle went to someone else. We should not have doubted that determined little girl.

She hung on to earn 82 points, winning the championship buckle at the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days rodeo. (Cambria is in the red boots having her picture taken with the rodeo queens.) Go here to watch the video of her winning ride.

She was so thrilled to have won the buckle that she wore it the very first day of school that fall. (If I were in her boots, I think I'd have done the same thing!)

Jessica told me that the shirts I'd made the kids last year were too small and asked if I might be able to make them new shirts this year. 

Not only were the shirts too small, but the pattern I had used was, too. I did some online searching and found a vintage pattern on Etsy that should work. 

Last year's shirts were black gingham with a red bandana yoke. This year, Jessie asked for blue gingham and bandana for Titan, and pink for Cambria.

The fabric for Titan's shirt.

Since I couldn't find a white bandana print, Jessica says she'd prefer the yoke on Cambria's be white but we may go with pink. I will be embroidering the rose on the yoke, too.

I also made a surprise for them - I couldn't believe my luck when I found some mutton busting fabric!

I made two pillowcases and have sent them on to Utah already. They should arrive tomorrow and I can't wait to hear what the kids think of them.

It's a good thing my spine has healed enough for me to be able to bend over the sewing and embroidery machines. I wouldn't want to miss the chance to sew Titan's and Cambria's rodeo shirts for the world!

My Penpal, Pepper: Checkin' In!

(Pepper writes to her former partner, Sarah, occasionally in her blog, My Penpal, Pepper.)

 Dear Mom,

Hello from wet, chilly, and rainy western Indiana! When Lynn let me outside before breakfast this morning, I made sure to do my business fast. Usually I like to run around the yard and grab a little pre-breakfast of bunny cocoa puffs, but today it was in and out. (Lynn wants you to know that she is working very hard to end my access to bunny cocoa puffs.)

Things here are going great! Lynn (who had a spinal fusion two weeks ago) is home from the hospital and recovering. She has even felt well enough to take me to the park and play frisbee again. That's my favorite game, and let's just say Lynn's aim is improving and she only SOMETIMES throws the frisbee into the neighbors' fenced in back yard.

(Photo of Pepper lying in the green grass at the park with her frisbee lying on her front legs, ready to grab when Lynn says she's ready to throw it again.)

This semester, Molly and Nash come to my house every Thursday and Friday while Lisa teaches. I love those days, but I do have to remind Nash CONSTANTLY that all the toys are MINE.

(Photo of Pepper with seven toys on her bed and placing her octopus pull toy on top.)

Lynn, Craig, and Lisa have dubbed me "the shark" for the ingenious way I have devised to take any and all toys away from Nash. 

Nash is a lot bigger than me, so I have to use my brain and outsmart him to get them back. And in my defense (Lynn says there is no defense; just ignore her) he DOES tease me by grabbing a toy, running away with it, and then prancing back to me and shaking it at me. (Photo of Pepper lying on two toys muzzle to muzzle with Nash. Look carefully and you will see one peeking out from underneath him. Shhh! Don't tell Pepper!)

Craig has a nickname for Nash - the 8th Grade Boy. That's because he is young and very, very adolescenty goofish. For example, Nash is ALWAYS losing my favorite ball under the chairs and couches.

Then he lies by the couch it is underneath and looks mournful. Perhaps Nash is smarter than he seems - it works every time. Craig gets down on the floor and gets the ball for him. (Photo of Nash lying by the couch and looking intently at the ball that is underneath it.)

I like Thursdays and Fridays when Molly and Nash are here - we play a lot, and Lynn always gives us Kongs with peanut butter in them in the afternoon.

Sometimes she even shares her favorite snack, Skinny Pop, with us, too! (Photo of Molly, Nash, and Pepper with hopeful faces and sitting in front of Lynn who has a bag of Skinny Pop on her lap.)

When Lisa is done at school and comes to pick Molly and Nash up, we all have a joyful reunion. I always bring her a toy - after all, she's a teacher and knows what show and tell is all about. (See? I can share!)

(Photo of Lisa sitting on the floor, Pepper getting a belly rub, Nash lying by Pepper, and Molly sitting next to Lisa with a very happy look on her face.)

After they go home, things are a lot quieter here. And honestly, I'm usually kind of tired. Taking toys away from Nash all day can really wear a girl out. (Lynn says I wouldn't be so tired if I just let him have them, so I had to remind her yet again that they are MY toys.)

(Photo of Pepper sound asleep in the center of a warm patch of sunshine coming through the windows.)

Life is good and I am very happy. 

Sending wags, licks, and happy wiggles to you all,

Love, 

Miss P.

At Last! Back to the Barn

 After my first spinal fusion in 2016, I was out at the barn the third day after I'd gotten out of the hospital. Five years later, it took me an entire week.

Abby saw me coming and beat me to the gate.

She was waiting impatiently and nickering as I approached her. I could tell she was glad to see me again, just as I was thrilled to see her.

From a distance, she looked pretty good. And then I got close to her.

She was an absolute muddy mess and she had some rain rot on her left shoulder.

She'd also banged her head and had a cut that was healing.

Visiting her absolutely wore me out - I went to bed as son as I got home and slept for an hour. But I will go back tomorrow and treat that rain rot. I'm under restrictions for pushing, pulling, lifting, and twisting, so I am not sure if I will be able to brush her out and get rid of that mud. 

Still, I will do the best I can, and if I can't do it, I'm sure Craig, Lisa, or Mila and her family will come help me.

Taking care of my girl is one more step towards normalcy and it felt really, really good to be with her again.

Spinal Surgery #2

 Second post of the day.

My spinal fusion is over and after three days in the hospital, I am home and recovering. While the surgery went well, the lead up to it was a nightmare.

The day before my scheduled surgery, I got a call saying that an essential piece of surgical equipment had  broken and asking if I would be willing to go to a different hospital in town the next day for the surgery. I was, and so that call set off a flurry of other calls as my records, insurance pre-approvals, and pre-op tests were transferred. 

Friday morning Craig and I  headed over to the other hospital. I was admitted and then a very long wait began. After an hour of sitting in the surgical waiting room, a nurse came to see me. She apologized for the delay and explained that a trauma victim had come in and my surgeon had been needed to work on him. She said that they'd get me in as soon as possible. 

Three hours later we were headed home. My surgeon had come out to apologize for our long wait and told us that, even though he was done working on the trauma victim, the operating room was still not available yet and wouldn't be for some time. Dr. Jackson asked if I could reschedule for 8 AM the next day. 

As they say, third time's a charm and Saturday the surgery finally happened. 

Me with Lisa, one of the nurses as I head down to surgery - I got excellent care during my hospital stay.

The surgery went well and to my surprise, I am recovering faster than I ever have from a surgery in the past. I was out of bed, walking and sitting upright just several hours post-op. 

My wound and drain the day after surgery. (I had Craig take the photo so I could see what it looked like.)

The view from my room (533.) Lisa's neighborhood is over there to the right.

Monday I was released and came home. Both Craig and Pepper were very happy to have me back, and I am relieved to finally have this surgery over.  (The flowers and sugar free candy are from my kids.)

Let the healing begin!