Bluebonnets, Motorcycles, and Dalmatians

We have guests from Minnesota and went for a motorcycle ride to see the bluebonnets today.  The bluebonnets are still really pretty and smell wonderful.  Our Dalmatians love having company, and Vegas warmed right up to our nephew, David.  Usually, she takes a little time to warm up to people she hasn't met, but she jumped right on David's lap and starting kissing him.  Here are pictures of Luke and the dogs, Victory, Vegas, and Wishbone in the bluebonnets, dogs enjoying company, and Rog, Dick, and David on Sugar Ridge Road, where they rode motorcycles to see the bluebonnets.  There was a greeter dog named Stella in the bluebonnets, who insisted on being in the picture with the guys.

Wildflowers and Dalmatians

What a beautiful day in Texas!  We had about 80 degrees.  Went for a motorcycle ride to see the bluebonnets, which are the most spectacular that we've seen in the last 10 years.  We rode for about 4 hours and saw such beauty.  It made you thankful to be alive and grateful for the gorgeous flowers and beautiful smells.  I will post pictures later of the bluebonnets.  Here are pictures of our Dalmatians, Victory, Vegas, and Wishbone, and 2 of our ponies, Flashy and Peppy, with the flowers just around our little farm.  Iris, Indian Paintbrush, and Evening Primrose are featured in these pictures.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Busy Weekend

Luke had prom this weekend and we had dog shows in Fort Worth all weekend, plus Rog had to help out a friend whose back blew out while he was at a motorcycle rally 150 miles away, so Rog had to go get him and get his motorcycle home.  But, as long as our friend’s back heals, all is well.  The weekend was very busy.  Prom went well, and it sounds like everyone had a nice time.  The dog show went fine.  We got to meet Victory’s sister, Nena, and her owner Stephanie.  Nena is beautiful and has a great temperament like Victory, and I enjoyed meeting Stephanie.   Victory and Vegas did not get anything under judge Doris Cozart on Friday, but Vegas went reserve winners bitch and Victory went select dog under judge Ann Hearn on Saturday.   Victory also picked up owner handler best of breed on Saturday, which was a special competition for non pro owner handlers.  Vegas only needs a 3 point major to finish, but the other folks who entered wanted me to bring her on Saturday, hoping for a 2 point day, if the 4^th bitch entered was there, but that was not to be, so good thing Vegas didn’t take winners.  So, Vegas stayed home on Sunday, and Victory went and picked up select dog again under judge Luc  Boileau.  Victory also attended the meet the breed event where people could pet the Dalmatians and learn more about them.  Of course, he had kisses for everyone, but he also was wound up because he wanted to play with the other Dalmatians attending.    Here are some prom pictures of Luke and his friend Courtney heading off to prom.  Bluebonnets are in bloom now, and made for some really pretty pictures.

I love Spring

Spring in Texas is so awesome!  Wildflowers galore and gorgeous weather, horse riding, motorcycle riding, dog shows, baby calves and colts, green grass and hay.  Love it!  Luke’s first prom is coming up next week, and we had to take a picture of him with his tux, along with his good friend Nathan, and his buddy Victory.  What a handsome son, handsome Nathan, and handsome Victory!  I’m attaching some pictures of my flowers that are blooming, Grape Hyacinths, Autumn Sage, and Laura Bush Petunias.  The Laura Bush Petunias are fantastic.  I planted them from seed that I got at Wildseed Farms a couple of years ago, and they don’t freeze off in the winter, and bloom beautifully all summer long, even during last summer’s heat and drought.  Wishbone, my Dalmatian Rescue boy who is 13 years old, was happy to pose for pictures with the flowers.  Wishbone has been my best buddy for the last 11 years.  He wants nothing more than to be by my side all the time.  What a great dog!  Enjoy the spring days and count your blessings each day!

San Marcos Show Weekend and Awards for Rog and Luke

          

We showed Victory and Vegas in San Marcos on Saturday and Sunday.  We did not have any success on Saturday under judge Luis Sosa, but both Vic and Vegas showed beautifully, and I was very proud of them.  On Sunday, Vegas took winners bitch and best of opposite sex.  Sharon Boyd showed Victory, since Vegas was also in best of breed class.  Victory did not show well for Sharon, so did not place.  We need to work on his movement, as he continues to move like he is marching when in the ring, as he gets quite jazzed up at dog shows.  Lovely guy, but gets pretty wired at the shows.   He does beautifully at home, but dog shows are another story with him.  He has way too much fun!  Here is cute little Vegas in San Marcos.

Rog and Luke also received an award recently.  The Kaufman Chamber gave them and a group of other fine men, including our neighbor Lanny Mayo, and friend Frankie Vrzalik, the Humanitarian award for their work in restoring a beautiful angel in the Kaufman cemetery that was damaged by vandals.  The angel was on a large pedestal, probably about 5 feet tall, and then the angel itself was between 5 and 6 feet tall.  It was knocked of its pedestal, the head was broken off, the wings were damaged and broken, and there were many other pieces broken on it.  They worked together to repair it and restore it to its place of honor on its pedestal in the cemetery.  I am proud of them!  Here is their picture with the award plaque and a picture of the men receiving their awards at the chamber banquet.

Tips on Saving Money

I've got some good money saving tips to share.  These are not all my ideas.  Some came from AICPA's website, some from an insurance company, and some are mine.  If you use some of these, you might be surprised how quickly you save some money.

Raise your insurance deductibles.
Take public transportation a couple of times a week, or ride a motorcycle or bike to work.
Take your lunch from home, rather than eating at a restaurant.
Bring soda from home.
Get a water filter at home, and refill a reusable water bottle with your own filtered water, and take it to work, rather than buying bottled water.
Make your own coffee instead of buying it by the cup at coffee shops and convenience stores.
Don't pay ATM fees.  Use only ATM machines that are free.  I always feel safer, too, using the ATMs at my own bank.
Use a credit card that pays you points for every dollar you spend, and do pay your credit card bill in full every month.  Their interest rates are astronomical.
Use the library, instead of buying books, music, and movies, or renting movies.
Contribute to your employer's 401k, to get the full match that the employer provides.  Even if no match, contribute as much as you can to your 401k. 
Pay your bills online, eliminating postage, check fees, and paying by phone fees.
Do not renew magazine subscriptions until your subscriptions expire.  Lots of times the magazine company will give you a huge discount to get you back.
Try to spend 5% less on things you buy regularly, such as groceries. 
Change the frequency of how often you get manicures, pedicures, haircuts, Starbucks, and lunches out.
Have money deducted automatically from your pay check and sent to a savings or brokerage account. 

Another thing that has worked amazingly for me:  The more I tithe at church, the more God blesses me.  When I give to Him, he blesses me more.

God bless, and save lots!