The babies of Spring are GROWING!!!

Below is a little view of some of the new things that have come with spring to my friend's ranch where I keep Jackson. I thought you might enjoy seeing some spring babes and new additions....

This is Gertie. She is pretty shy right now, but you can tell she wants to socialize so it won't be long! Miles wanted to name her Gertrude the Goat, but we settled on Gertie which is much more appropriate!

Miles and Queen of Sheba. Linda named her that because of her superior demeanor, she is a funny, friendly goat. Gertie and Sheba aren't babies, but they have only been at the ranch for a week, so they get to be in the post. Plus, they are just so darn cute! I love goats. We raised goats on our farm when I was a kid, and they are just silly, friendly, fun pets to have around. You get so attached to them. If you have only one horse they make the perfect companion animal. The horses really like them too!

Baby bunny tummy and feet. One day old.

Same bunny two weeks later.

Miles holding a baby. His eyes aren't open yet.

Brand spankin' new in their nestbox.

Same batch at two weeks. SO CUTE!!!!

Miles holding a chick at ~7 days of age. We bought 23 chicks of approx. 6 diffrent types. When I asked Miles what he would do with chicks he said, "I'll collect their eggs and groom them."

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME?"

This is a baby "Top Hat" chick. See his little mohawk growing?

This is him a few days ago at about 2 mos. of age. I named him Eric.

Eric is my friend who had a mohawk at our senior prom.

They grow SOOOO fast.

We even have one who has no feathers on his neck (forget what they're called).See him up in the left hand corner? Oh, and we have three Top Hat Eric's. But the biggest one is really the "real" Eric. In this pic they are about one and a half months old.

TRULY a mama's BOY! (birthday boy is in da' house!)

Jackson and I--This pic really captures his personality!!

Scamperin' behind his mama...

Jackson and his mommy...

He's been fast from day one!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms out there a day early! And if you aren't a mom you'd best get on the phone and say, "hello.." to your own, and for those of you who can't do that anymore, a heartfelt "hello" sent up to the heavens will make her happy. I guarantee it. We mom's don't expect a lot, really. We get too much in return every day of the year. My son came home yesterday from school with a BIG rolled up art surprise for my present this year. I love his homeade stuff the most, and I am quite sure the art work is worth it's weight in gold. Not to mention it's REALLY good.... I am a lucky girl when it comes to the mom side of things! Not just my son, but my beloved dog of 15 years, three cats (sometimes they don't count, it depends on the day...) and.... JACKSON!!!

And TODAY IS JACKSON'S BIRTHDAY!!! He was born on Mother's Day, 9 May 1999 at ~9pm at night. All those 9's must be lucky right? I just received a Happy Mother's Day/Happy Jackson's B-Day e-mail from his breeder when I woke up this morning. I quickly sent her some recent pics of Jacks and an update on us, she likes to keep track of the horses she's helped add to the world (sure sign of a good breeder!).... She is the one who provided me with all of his baby pictures and the one's of his daddy and brother too. She told me the story of when he was born, and without her, I would never have known that Jackson was born on Mother's Day. She said the whole family was away for the day and she was home alone when Jackie (Jacks mom) foaled at about 9pm at night on Mother's Day. She told me that because of that Jackson has a special place in her heart. Well, knowing my horse, I am SOOOO not surprised. ;) I have the birthdate on his paperwork, but it never would have occured to me to think of his being a Mother's Day baby! So that pretty much explains why I have such a mama's boy for a horse, dont'cha think?

Happy Mother's Day everyone---and Happy 10th Birthday Jacks..... MUAH!!!

Can anyone help me figure out horse boots???

I would like to purchase a pair of boots for Jackson. Not necessarily the ones above, but since we ride on VERY rocky terrain quite frequently and Jacks is barefoot, I think a pair would be a wise investment. Unfortunately, I know next to nothing about fitting them, pros and cons, and what brand people have had the best experiences with. Since this will probably be $150 investment, I want to make the right one! So have any of you had experience with fitting these, found a brand you swear by, etc? I'd hate to make the investment, (go out on a really long trail ride in a new park since we travel..) look down, and have a missing boot!!! Not sure the velcro up there on the boot I have pictured is all that reassuring! So, PLEASE send me your experiences and those of any folks you may know to help me in my quest!!!

3 Thangz....

I was tagged QUITE a while ago to do this---sorry, BUT I finally DID IT!

3 Things to Share

Three names I go by:

1. Mindy

2. Myn

3. Miranda

Three Jobs I have had in my life:

1. Registered Nurse (BSN, RN)

2. Direct care assistant to developmentally disabled individuals

3. Dive Boat Betty (when I lived in Key West)

Three Places I have lived:

1. San Antonio, Tx

2. Philadelphia PA

3. Key West FL

Three Favorite drinks:

1. Monster Energy Drink (way too often!)

2. Tito's Handmade Vodka from Austin, Tx or Stoli and with diet tonic and lime

3. Imported pale ales

Three TV Shows that I watch:

1. Dr. G

2. Lost

3. House

Three places I have been:

1. Yucatan, Mexico

2. Canada

3. Ireland

People that e-mail me regularly:

1. Leslie

2. Linda

3. My mom

Three of my favorite foods:

1. A nice filet from the grill

2. Gourmet pizza/lasagna

3. Milk chocolate anything

Three of my favorite books:

1. All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot

2. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

3. Centered Riding by Sally Swift

Three of my favorite articles of clothing:

1. My Ariat paddock riding boots

2. Comfy jeans for riding

3. Victoria's Secret Bras

Three things I always have to have with me:

1. Aveda Lip Tint

2. Wallet

3. BlackBerry

Three things that make me happy:

1. My Son

2. Les

3. My pets--my dog, my horse, and my 3 cats--oh! and the turtle!

Three things that frustrate me:

1. Closed Minds

2. My quick red-headed temper!

3. Poorly written stuff that is misspelled--spell check it if you don't know, or LOOK it up in a dictionary! DELETE THAT! Misspell everything if you want! #3. I am SOOO tired of freakin' horrid drivers that I want to become a cop so I can give out tickets to everyone!!!! I am tired of being killed almost daily in this town!!!! AGGGGGHHHHHH! You won't get past the red light ANY faster by doing 9o until you get to it folks!!!!

Three things I obsess over:

1. Becoming a better rider and training my horse

2. Money...:/

3. Being a good parent (put into #1 slot)

Three qualities in a boyfriend/girlfriend:

1. Funny!!

2. Puts up with me and my crap

3. There for me in the good and bad

Three qualities in a best friend

1. Funny!!!

2. Loyal--Fair weather friends just SUCK!!!!

3. Knows everything about me---LOVES me anyway..

Three things that have impacted me most:

1. My military experience (not in a good way, but maybe a necessary one...)

2. Having my son (#1 slot)

3. Buying a horse and finding the road back to sanity through him

Three people that have impacted me most:

1. Mom/Dad/family

2. Galfriends

3. Old/Close Friends - the long-lasting ones - you all know who you are.

Three things I am looking forward to:

1. Riding my horse all summer and getting into awesome shape again...

2. Spending time with my son and with Les

3. My volunteer work at Triple H Equitherapy

Now, here's what you're supposed to do...and please do not spoil the fun.Copy the note, delete my answers and type in your answers. I'm not tagging anyone--most folks have done something like this, BUT if anyone wants to do it, consider yourself TAGGED, I would love to read about YOU!