If I had five tacos and I ate two then I would have....

Why did River cross the road?

To get to the chicken mug!

Saw this and thought of you River!

 

I'm back from Cali. A bit worse for wear...very, very tired and have tar stains on the bottom of my feet. Blogs and photos to come.

So...don't get too used to me being here. Freddy, Owen and I leave today for their band trip. We will be in San Diego and LA for the next few days...returning Sunday night.

For River....

Look!  A chicken!

 

I am such a city girl.  Even after living in suburban TX for 17 years, I am still thrilled to see any kind of farm animal. 

While the guys were working on the project, I was distracted by the neighing of the horse, the chatter of chickens and the curiousity of the goats.

More photos to come, but I wanted to get this out to River...

 

 

Eagle Scout Project...first user!

 

 

 

While this young woman has been taking riding lessons at this ranch for quite some time, this is the first time she has ever been able to get onto the horse on her own.

I think the smile says it all.

 

Group photo.

 

 

Freddy's Eagle Scout Project

So while it seems like our family has been "all about me" the last couple couple of months, Fred has been busy working with the boys and Scouts; particularly getting Freddy ready for his Eagle Scout Project. 
Now the hard part about the project is that it has to be kid led.  Freddy had to initiate paperwork with "the council," email volunteers, get donations, etc.
Freddy, like many teenage boys is not all that proactive.  He needed reminding.  This job fell to Fred. 
Anyway...Freddy found a project working on a horse ranch in the next town over. Riding lessons are given there, with a focus on disabled persons.  The ranch is called Ride with Pride.
The project was to build a set of ramps so that people with disabilities could mount a horse; some independently, some with assistance.
Fred, Freddy and volunteers worked last weekend, cutting wood to size and giving it its first coat of paint. This past Sunday, they put the ramps together.  On one side there are steps leading to a platform where an able bodied person could assist from one side of the horse, and the ramp on the other for a wheelchair to be pushed or someone with limited mobility could climb with ease.
Here are a few shots....
Before....

During....


Checking for fit....


After....

(It still needs another coat of paint and handrails...)
The Crew:

More ranch photos and first use photos next.

Eagle Scout Project

I have been released.... The paper is turned in. It still needs to be approved by my committee and the graduate school, but the writing part is done. I feel a little queasy.

Dissertation is due on Monday. Three out of the five chapters have been returned to my professor after making the corrections and revisions she has suggested. Appendix L is 35 pages long.