Literary Conference

So that conference I attended a few weeks ago? Totally mind blowing. It rocked. Besides all the freebies I got (like a million books), I also brought back a lot of info for my colleagues. Mainly that the message is: Just because you don't teach reading and writing, doesn't mean you don't teach readers and writers. It's a problem that we all need to tackle. We'll see how that goes.

BUT - while there....I got to meet Mr. Gary Paulson. Yes, THE Gary Paulson who wrote Hatchet. Maybe that isn't that big of a deal to you, but I grew up reading his books when I was in elementary and he's still writing folks! It was a profound moment for me.

Besides books I brough back for myself (and there is a stack next to the bed and downloaded on the nook, I brought back a variable library for Wyatt. He enjoys them....in more ways than one.

Busy Month

OMG, between chasing around my little peanut who isn't quite so little anymore, attending conferences for school and beginning a Retrouvaille program with my husband in Albuquerque, I'm not sure what day it is anymore. I never would have thought the last month would be so busy.

At the start of the winter I decided to make a few changes in my life and the first was to quit biting my nails. I spent some money on nail care, but its been worth it. No more waking up with throbbing finger tips because I bit them so short. The next thing I did was start Proactive. Things have just gotten better since the last post. I have the clearest skin I've every had in my entire life.

Both of those changes have lowered my stress and let me hold my head a little higher.

Towards the end of January Nate bought me Zumba for my Wii. I love it. As a former dancer who can never get to the studio, this is an awesome alternative. I also got a smartphone about this time and started using fitness pal, and counting calories. I still eat what I want, but watch how much. Its crazy how many calories we put away in a day. To mix it up I also do Wii fit, and just bought a belly dancing dvd which I love. I'm also going to try Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. So basically I'm doing something new every day. I feel awesome. I'm totally in shape for riding season getting going again and riding everyday this summer as a full time Wrangler for The Zapata.

Oh yeah...and bathingsuit season, which is coming early for me this year...because Nate, Wyatt and I are going on a cruise for Springbreak.

And more on that later !

Proactive

Two weeks ago I received a Proactive starter kit. I've always fought with less than perfect skin and even though I found a few good items, namely Cetaphil and tree tea oil, that tree tea oil was really harsh and my husband hates the smell. So I decided to try something else. I figured it had a money back policy so what could it hurt?

Because there are so many mixed reviews out there, and because there is no easy to filter out which are real and which are advertising one way our another, I thought I'd give my 60 day version (since I figure I'd better know before than if it's working for me.

Day 1-14
Smaller pore size and smoother skin texture immediatly. No sign of dryness the first week, which was a concern since I have such sensitive skin. Using the 3 step program twice a day and refining mask for spot treatment at night. Still using my moisturizer (straight aloe), but using less of it-so I figure this is less drying than what I was doing.

By the end of the second week my skin is a little dryer than it was, but nothing that isn't smoothed out with the slow. Also used the sample of the green tea moisturizer that was sent. Is very light and I like it as it doesn't feel greasy or make my skin oily.

Pore size is really small, skin is really smooth, little to no breakouts in my trouble spots. So far so good.

Dixie Loves

Wyatt loves Dixie. Dixie could give or take Wyatt, but she's super gentle and tolerant of him. Even when getting kisses...

Wyatt Helping Out at School...

...by taking everything out of the cupboard and then closing himself into it. This peek-a-boo game lasted the better part of an hour. I need a cupboard at home...

Playing With Dad

When we were in Michigan my mother wanted Nate to play the piano for her (he plays really well when he's been practicing). Wyatt decided to provide an accompaniment.

Knitting

When I was pregnant with Wyatt I started knitting. I like knitting for people, and then want to keep what I make. Here's a few scarf/cowl and mitten sets I made for Christmas this year:

Just Out Walking My...

Penguin...

Who seems to be taking a nap right now...

I'll introduce you when he wakes up...

Sorry I've been really, really bad about leaving comments on other's blogs. The servers have been crashing here and I've been having to do most stuff the 'old fashioned way'. I forgot how much time it takes up! I post-dated a bunch of stuff to keep this updated...

The Usual...

1) I'm behind...
2) I had a computer crash and after popping my hard-drive into 3 different computers I finally have a working model again...
3) The server at school keeps going down...down...down...
4) Going back to work after break sucked...

5) I have no New Year's resolution except to lose what weight I gained over the Holidays...like the rest of us...

Like Wyatt's mark above his right eye? He wiped out playing with his cousins on Christmas Eve...Took this picture with my new point and shoot (which can also be manually programed) - it has this cool timing feature that won't start the timer and snap a picture until you are settled and smiling! My hubby bought it for me!

Christmas was wonderful! We drove into MI on the 22nd after stopping in Chicago for a night and day. My brother and his wife and 6 month old baby boy were staying at my parent's also - so full house!

Wyatt and his cousin Liam! Matching outfits weren't planned...but it sure was cute! Wyatt loved his little cousin, and couldn't stop giving him hugs and kisses. I wish we all lived closer together; my brother now lives in Florida :(

The picture above was taken Christmas morning with my old camera. Typically I would have touched it up in an editing softwear, but I thought I'd show it below the last one - that is in it's raw format. I'm impressed with it's photo quality! The old camera was an older Olympus all-weather (similar to their new tough camera). I wanted a new Olympus, but after researching, I decided I wanted quality over toughness and the new camera is a Sony CyberShot. I may not be able to be tough with it - but I still have my old camera for those moments!

It was so nice to have some time off and finally see family...and let family finally see my growing little man after a whole year!

Merry Christmas!

Oh Christmas Tree...

The weekend after Thanksgiving we put up our tree...and a nice little tree it is! Even though we're leaving for Christmas (MI here we come!), it just wouldn't be the holidays without a fresh cut tree.

Obviously we needed to Wyatt proof it, so all the decorations are about waist height, but it's still really pretty. The first night Wyatt decided to pose in front of it in his elf hat.

He's crazy about his rocking horse. Unfortunately he's starting to rock it almost all the way over as he's very enthusiastic about his riding. The other night he tipped it all the way back and he hopped off the back and landed on his feet. Perhaps he will be a trick rider?

I'm finally searching for a new camera. I love my tough little camera, but it's been five years since I got a new one and there's been a lot of quality advancements. I still want a large professional camera, but I do like my little point and shoot. The one I have now is a hit and miss with the quality - basically it depends on if I have enough time and effort to 'tweak' the settig to get something good. And since I'm always trying to get quick shots of my little man on the go, as well as when I'm out riding, it's time to upgrade.

SNOW!!!

We got the biggest early snowfall on December 3rd and 4th than I've seen since I moved here 8 years ago. It reminded me of Michigan, and we had a snow day. Gotta love it!

Wyatt had a blast playing in it. He got to drive the work truck to break up the driveway! Whoohoo!
That little car is my new Toyota Yaris. Let's put it this way: I've been driving my F-250 everywhere, and it cost me nothing to purchase and drive the Toyota. That's how much money I saved by getting it. It was an impulse buy, but I couldn't pass up the deal - and now we have a family oriented, trustworthy vehicle with kick @ss milage!!! Plus it's fun to drive and my truck will not wear out due to wear and tear.

Another Bison Move

Last weekend, in freezing weather, we moved Bison again on the Zapata. The managers decided to sell the managed herd because of the drought here has made it almost inhabitable for something to overwinter on the Zapata Ranch side. Just not enough feed for those buggers.

So the fact that we have snow on the ground now is a good thing! Perhaps we'll have some more water for growing grass this year!

Despite the cold, it was a beautiful weekend!

Door Contest!

Every year I participate in my school's door decorating contest. So here it is:

It's stained glass - separate pieces of tissue paper glued down and then I used thick yarn for the 'soldering'.

I tied for 1st place. 3 for 3 baby!

Thanksgiving...A Little Late

We went up to the Zapata Ranch with some co-workers for a yummy meal! Country ham, smoked turkey, fresh bread, potatoes....yum!

What did everyone else do?
We also took pictures for our Christmas cards. Saddled up Tootsie the mini-pony and started snapping away. It was so funny to watch Wyatt interact with the pony!

Feeding the Dogs

Feeding the dogs, according to Wyatt: "Once you've pushed Dixie out of the way with your butt, you can toss the feeder scoop because it has a hole in it anyway. See? I can even show you that. Make sure the cats are doing alright and then you just might as well use your hands to move food from Wrigley's bowl because he eats slow anyway."

Lemur Love

Hay Envy

Awhile back I was jealous of my blogging friends and their loads of hay. Despite having pasture I have been stockpiling hay anyway.

I love the smell of fresh cut alfalfa!

Halloween

Before heading into town we carved pumpkins. Wyatt thought the seeds were great raw...and so did MAC, although he did heed the many times I yelled 'no-no!'
Wrigley got to go trick-or treating with us. Wyatt was the lion, so Wrigley had to go as the lamb. We let him be a boy lamb though, with horns.

We met up with Wyatt's gal pal Lily! I work with her parent's and we decided to let the kids have a night out together.

Wyatt got the whole run to the door and grab the candy game going. He occasionally would turn and wave bye-bye to the homeowners.

Afterwards we imbibed in a few adult beverages while the kids made out.

Squeakers...I Mean Sneakers...

Now we know where he is at all times. He wore these on Halloween. They were perfect. Look for that post this weekend!

Sorry I've Been a Bum...Blogging

I have been so busy! Homecoming and Midterm week coincided this year. Wonder who set that up? It was a zoo. Then the start of the new quarter, combined with never being home...it's just been busy.

The last few weekends have been spent on 'round-up'. First I went to Creede to help with cattle.

Up Near Lime Creek in Creede:

Then this weekend was spent with the Bison herd on The Medano Ranch where I work in the summers. It was wild, and not too safe really. When the bison get running it's an all out dead run for miles on horseback through rivers, over ditches, chico brush, etc. On Saturday I was riding Maggie and she actually slipped and fell over on top of me. We were fine and back up running in no time. Sunday I was riding a Ranch horse and trying her out on this - she was great, but wasn't used to the Bullwhip that is used. When it was cracked right next to her head by another rider she moved away from it and I was left with no saddle under me. She moved back under me, but I was already commited to pulling myself back into the saddle and just kept going! I hit the ground probably at 20 MPH (and we weren't even going full out at this point!). I bruised a rib and my hand, but other than needing to catch my breath it was all good! I wouldn't have traded that experience for anything; it was so awesome. I may take a day this week and go help them once more.

Early Morning Around the Fire:

On the Run:

There was a professional camera and film crew there and I cannot wait to get their footage.

We took a few breaks to let the horses rest and give ourselves a chance to catch our breaths. I had some fun taking pictures. These two cowboys work and live on the ranch full time. One is married to the manager's daughter, the other a former wrangler from Germany. Just good people all around.

Race For A Cure

I went ahead and ran the Race for A Cure 5K this weekend despite waking up to this:

We bundled up. I brought my own cheering section.

I didn't as well as last week, but considering the weather...

5K

I ran my first 5K this weekend. Guess what? It didn't kick my butt - and I came in under my set pace! And Wyatt ran with me...in his stroller! And I didn't train! I wonder what I could do if I did prepare for one?

I may do another next weekend!

My Serious Little Helper

Wyatt loves to help out in the yard. He drags the hoses everywhere and picks up whatever Mac has managed to 'hoard' onto the lawn from the outlying fields (sticks, bones, broken toys, cans, etc...now if we could just teach him to put them in the trash).

He's so serious about what he's doing when he gets focused.

His favorite thing is to help feed the dogs. He has to take food from one bowl and carry it over to the other. Dixie thinks it's great since she's usually finished first and he's handing her the other dogs' food. They've all figured out that they can clean up whatever he drops while he's 'helping'. It's so funny to watch him crawling under Dixie, around Mac, over Wrigley while they hop around him, walk over him and basically try to see who can get to what he drops first.