Take the tractor another round, and another round!

KUBOTA - What does that refer to? My Father In Laws new toy. Wait, maybe it is a piece of equipment to him and a toy to me? When Greg left for his hunt I had him show me once again how to properly operate the tractor. Pretty expensive so I didn't want to have to explain to his parents if I broke it while they were in Las Vegas.

I plowed for awhile the night he left and had to stop for a couple of days while it rained. On Friday morning I was on it again at 7:30 am and loved every minute of it. You talk about therapy! I think I may have irritated my neighbors for making so much noise that early but to me they were burning daylight. They didn't say anything, thank goodness. After going round and round with the tractor, I found myself singing the verse to a new country song that goes something like this, " take the tractor another round and another round, and another round." I don't know what the title is, but I remember that part because it was stuck in my head for 2 days afterwards.

I got to be pretty good at maneuvering the tractor. I was quite impressed with my new found talent of operating heavy equipment (hey, it is heavier than a rototiller!) I began moving dirt, leveling the ground that didn't need leveling (ha ha!) it was AWESOME! And I owe it all to Greg's dad for being so generous and sharing! THANK YOU GREG! Both Gregs actually.

Anyone need their fields plowed? Anybody have any grass seed they would like to share? How bout water rights? Just checking!

6 X 6 and pretty thrilled!

Greg and Brady proudly holding the Elk horns

Greg showing Brady how to "properly" hold the Elk horns.

Jason and Greg, full of testosterone, facial hair, and the smell of elk!

Jason and Greg with the elk and his hide.

Greg's Bow hunt for elk was this past week. He left for Cebolla Tuesday evening and he was pretty pumped up for his hunt. Jason couldn't go until Friday so Greg went and paved the way. He was being teased quite a bit during his hunt, seeing severl elk, both bulls and cows, and getting frustrated that he was missing some pretty easy shots with the bow. He said he missed one that was bigger than the one above, So, Jason arrived on Friday and he and Greg went out again. Since I can't tell the story the way they do I will just say that they were pretty fired up when they heard the bull grunting as he was coming towards them, showing off for the cows. Jason put the rangefinder on him (i hope that's what u call it) and whispered, 35 yards. Greg pulled back and successfully hit his target. The bull ran about 50 yards and then dropped. They were both pretty excited. Jason has a hunt in October. Same place. The days will go slowly by i'm sure. Greg will be forever grateful to his Uncle Ernie, Uncle Luis, his cousin Luis Jr., and Jason for all helping to get the elk in the truck. And he will definitely be forever grateful to his Aunt Lenora for making him dinner each evening! A million thanks to them for making his hunt so much more comfortable! And for letting him call and tell me he was safe! I am pretty happy for him and most especially happy that he doesn't want to mount it in the living room!

Greg has the better pics on his cell phone so when I can figure out how to get them on my blog I will repost.

3 Sweet Grandchildren to love

You can have your wealth and riches....all the things so many seek, Position, power, fine success, The fame you long to keep. You can earn so much you wish for, Reach a status high above, But none of these can equal...Having 3 Sweet Grandchildren to love.

'Tis the greatest gift from Heaven, Brady hugs that hold you tight, and a kiss so soft and gentle when you tuck them in at night. A million precious smiles, and each story often read, Six eyes so bright and smiling, and 3 darling blonde heads.

One can never match the goodness of 3 trusting little faces, or a heart so full of laughter spreading sunshine in every place. 3 Sweet Grandchildren to hold and cuddle, 'tis a gift from God above, and now my world is so much brighter now that I have 3 Sweet Grandchildren to love.

(author unknown, poem changed to fit my sweet grandchildren)

Brady, Emma, and Connor

Brady, Emma and Connor. My 3 sweethearts!

Grandma Maggie

On Sunday afternoon (September 20th), we were in church, partaking of the sacrament, when Ashli quietly came and sat by us. She let us know that Greg's Grandma Maggie passed away. She had a stroke about a month ago and just didn't get better. She was only 82, and the mother of 17 children. She lived in Cebolla NM. She had 40 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. (Brady, Emma, and Connor)

The last time we saw her alive and well was for Chama Days weekend. A short visit, but a good visit. We then saw her at St. Vincent's Hospital in Santa Fe on the 2nd of September. It was tough to see her suffer the way she was. She was very tired. I know how hard it is to lose a family member. I still mourn the loss of my Father(4 1/2 yrs) and my Grandmother(1 1/2 yrs); but, I am so thankful that she no longer has to suffer and live in this drama filled world. I pray that she is happy and at peace and that we will all remember that it is more important to love our family members, to serve them, and to be forgiving. That is the hard part, but it is so important. I pray that all the material possessions (that moth and rust doth corrupt) in this world will never take the place of family!

The picture posted was taken in December at her granddaughter Katrina's wedding. The First picture is a 5 generation picture of Greg's Grandmother, Mother, Him, Afton, and Brady. The next picture is of his Grandmother, Mother and his 6 of his mother's siblings.

Remember This

The other night I was missing my Dad and Grandma Syl very much. I stopped what I was doing and pulled out an old suitcase that once belonged to my Grandpa Martinez (Grandma Syl's Dad). Grandma gave me this box of goodies a few years ago when she lived in Santa Fe. I still love the "old smell" of the cardboard box. The contents in the box were a bunch of old newspapers, papers and mementos that my Grandma saved. (She saved everything - I think that is where i got it from) Anyway, in the box was a thought by F. Collis Wildman. As I read it, again, for the millionth time, I just felt the need to blog it.....I think we all could use this in our lives, and if the word "Damn" offends you, sorry, it is part of the thought. Enjoy!!!

Remember This

Be good, but not too good - a little naughty, but not too naughty. Say a prayer if you feel that way, say Damn if it gives you consolation. Be kind to the world always, if possible - yet if you must be unkind, smash right and left, get it over and forget it.
Smile, always smile, have a smile ready even though sometimes it hurts. Grab all the happiness you can - wherever and whenever you can - don't let even a wee bit slip past you. Live, above all things live, don't simply exist.
If you are blessed enough to know what real love is - love with all your heart, soul and body. Live your life so that at any hour you will be able to shake hands with yourself and try to accomplish at least one thing worth while each day. Then when your nights come you will be able to pull up the covers and say to yourself - "I have done my best". F. Collis Wildman copr. 1926