Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Wedding Photos

Thanks for comments and the emails about Corey's Wedding shoes.
I suspected I was behind the times....
Now I know for sure, I was and am behind! I probably won't ever catch up so just bear with me....

Apparently these shoes are HOT!
They are what's in!
Everybody's wearing 'em!


Now that we've settled that let's move on.......

Another comment was asking why I didn't show photographs of the bride. So here is the one shot I took of the beautiful bride Danielle....
Only one you ask....Yes, only one!
Let me explain.
When I go to weddings I only carry my camera in with me if I have asked the bride or the photographer if it is okay for me to take some random shots of the bridal party and the guests. This is photography etiquette. There is a reason the bride and groom hire a professional photographer. They want professional wedding photos. To have 20 people with cameras and cell phones standing up during the ceremony taking pictures is in my opinion totally uncool! It definitely distracts from the ceremony.  When a professional photographer has been hired to take the wedding photos they are responsible for posing the couple and the wedding party, providing lighting, making sure the brides dress is "fluffed", etc. I think it's wrong for uncle Harry and 25 other friends and relatives to just step in after all of this is done and take pictures. Many professional photographers do not allow it. I respect that. Some do allow it and this is why I always ask first. When a photographer has to ask family and friends to please stop taking pictures because all of the flashes are causing their flash to misfire something is wrong!
 That's all my venting for today...
You're Welcome!
However, while we were waiting for the reception we did have a little photo shoot ( after the shoe shot of course)!
Enjoy!

I'll just kick my socks off and hang out here waiting on the 'grub'....
I thought this was a recliner....
Sure, I can look cute for a few shots....




Grandparents of the groom, my Mom and Dad!
Zane is their 3rd Great Grandchild and their first Great Grandson!
They like him, a lot!
This is all for today! Now go outside and enjoy the wonderful sunshine!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Wedding Shoes!

Last Saturday my nephew Corey was married.
He married Danielle, a beautiful girl.
I know they'll be happy! They're a great couple.
The bride was absolutely radiant!
The Groom was handsome.
I was impressed.
The wedding sailed along ever so lovely.
Then it was over and everyone was mingling...
I looked down at my nephew's feet and this is what I saw!


Can you believe these shoes?
Is this the new style for 20 something men?
Inquiring minds want to know....we need to know....we crave knowledge...
And just in case you're wondering, they are a size 13!
My mother's reaction was, "I hope he's only renting them."
My reaction was, "come here, I need to get some shots of these shoes!"Never mind that the bride is looking for you for photos... I need evidence."
Evidence that you really showed up for your wedding wearing these shoes!
Maybe I'm out of touch with the latest styles....
Maybe I'm older than I thought....
Maybe he got a deal on the whole wedding party ensemble for wearing these shoes....
Maybe he lost a bet....
Maybe this is the only style that comes in a size 13...
Maybe I'm making too much out of this...

The possibilities are endless...
My son and son-in-law both got married in cowboy boots and I guess to some this sounds strange. For us it was normal. Maybe this is Corey's normal.
Whatever the reason, this is the part of the wedding I'm sure to remember for a long, long time!




Oh yes...please take note of the white socks!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Baby Gifts....

Right before Zane came home from the hospital I bought Ned and Kelly an "itzbeen baby care timer". Let me just tell you it was money well spent!
We all love it.
 It's one of the coolest gadgets ever!
I wish I'd invented it.
The concept behind this neat little timer is that it tells you how long itzbeen since the baby ate (bottle icon) or was changed (diaper icon) or napped (Zzzz icon). There is even a * button for anything else. (Like maybe if they are on medication) This is how it works...say you've just changed baby's diaper, pick up the itzbeen and move the unlock button on the side then click on the button with the diaper icon the timer then says 00:00. Go back to the side button and do the key lock thingy again. This lock button is a good thing...I'm prone to accidentally pushing buttons when I shouldn't. Now when baby eats or naps or takes meds or does whatever, you can set the timer. Then, when an hour or two has passed and you are wondering what time he ate last you look at the itzbeen and it might say 2:34. Now you know itzbeen 2 hours and 34 minutes since he ate! Cool huh? There is a clip on the back so you can clip it on yourself or on your diaper bag or on the dog...just kidding...but you can clip it just about anywhere. There is a built-in flashlight and a clock! There is also a setting for breast feeding moms. Itzbeens come in blue, green (this is the one I got) and pink. So now the itzbeen is my new standard baby gift, along with a monogrammed burp cloth or two. They are unique and useful. If you're looking for a new idea for a baby gift check this out... new moms and dads will love you for it! Guaranteed!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Always Saddle Your Own Horse....

I love this quote by Connie Reeves. I'm going to have it made with our wall vinyl and put it on the wall in my house! I like it that much! If you have a favorite quote, scripture or a motto that you would like made with our wall vinyl to put on your wall let me know the size you want and we'll get you a price quote.
Below is a copy of an article I found on the Texas Highways website about Connie Reeves. I enjoyed it and I hope you do too!


Speaking of Texas: A Saddle Story



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By: Caitlin Sullivan
For lifelong cowgirl and trailblazer Connie Douglas Reeves, living life to the fullest meant you had to “saddle your own horse.” Reeves was born in Eagle Pass in 1901. At age five, she received her first horse from her maternal grandfather and quickly became a devoted rider.
Reeves graduated with a degree in speech from Texas Women’s University and enrolled in the University of Texas School of Law in Austin. She never finished, as the Great Depression forced her to withdraw and take a teaching job to help out her family.
While teaching at Main Avenue High School in San Antonio, Reeves organized one of the state’s first pep squads. When that school closed, she taught at the city’s newly opened Thomas Jefferson High School, where she formed a Western-themed pep squad, “The Lassos,” whose signature moves were intricate twirling and rope tricks.
For extra income, Reeves worked as a riding instructor at a local stable. Soon, she was renowned in the area for her horsemanship, and in 1936, she was asked to join the equestrian program at Camp Waldemar, an all-girls camp in nearby Hunt, where she taught riding for 67 years. “She was really tough, but in a good way,” says Liz Pohl, the camp’s present equine director. “She taught the girls so much about horses and life. I met her at age 78, and she was so strong. And when she was 100, I could still barely keep up with her.”
At Waldemar, Reeves met her future husband, Jack, the camp’s head wrangler and a former rodeo participant. They married in 1942, and during their 43-year marriage, the pair managed a 10,000-acre sheep and cattle ranch when camp was not in session.
Reeves found herself a role model for generations of young women, students, campers, and even Waldemar’s wranglers. Until the 1980s, only men worked the camp’s horses, but Reeves believed that women had a gentler way of handling and connecting with horses, so she persuaded the camp to switch to female wranglers.
In 1997, the National Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth recognized Reeves’ legacy by inducting her into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, an honor bestowed upon women whose lives exemplify the ideals of self-reliance and independence that helped shape the American West. The following year, she became the first woman to receive the Chester A. Reynolds Award from the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City for perpetuating the history and heritage of the West.
In 2002, at age 100, Reeves rode in a parade celebrating the grand opening of the National Cowgirl Museum’s new building in Fort Worth.
The next year, a few weeks shy of her 102nd birthday, Reeves went riding with a friend at Camp Waldemar and was thrown from her favorite horse, a 28-year-old paint named Dr Pepper. She passed away several days later.

Saddle Up
Saddle up and head on over to the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, where Reeves’ saying, “Always saddle your own horse,” is an unofficial motto. You can read more about Reeves’ legacy and view photographs of her and more than 180 other Hall of Fame honorees at two interactive kiosks in the museum.
Children can explore the different aspects of ranch life in the Connie Reeves Discovery Corral and read Western stories inside a faux tipi; dress up in boots, chaps, and hats; and pretend to eat dinner from a fireside chuck wagon. Throughout the museum, you can see photos, Western wear, and cowgirl gear that celebrate the independent spirit that helped forge the American West. Don’t miss the popular bucking-bronc simulator, where you can record a video clip of yourself “bronc-riding,” then e-mail it to friends and family. The museum is at 1720 Gendy St.,in Fort Worth’s cultural district. Call 800/476-3263; www.cowgirl.net.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Check this out!

Over at The Provident Woman she's having a really cool giveaway....
She'll be giving away Satin Hands by Mary Kay. I don't know about y'all but my dry hands could use some TLC. Between handling material all day and then going home to brush and ride horses my hands have just about had it. There are several ways to enter so head on over there and enter up! http://www.theprovidentwoman.com/
Tell her I sent ya!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

It's just around the corner....

Spring that is!
I'm looking forward to it this year as much as ever.
Without talking too much about weather again let's just say we're long overdue for some warm, sunshiny days!
With the end of winter comes "award season". We've been steadily working on awards for different associations for a couple of weeks now. If you haven't checked out our website for a look at some of the cool awards we offer you should! www.shamrockm.com
We've just added vinyl designs. We can make decals for your vehicle, trailer, etc. or we can use a different type of vinyl and create wall art for your home! These decals also make a unique awards in that we can design a decal that advertises your event and location along with the award. Using decals for advertising definitely gives you a lot of "bang for your buck"!
We've also been getting in new handbags and we're adding flip flops this spring too! These aren't your plain ole run of the mill flip flops...these have rhinestones, studs and conchos! They're super cool and they make me wish it was 80* now so I could wear them with a pair of shorts and a short sleeve shirt....

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Our Lucky Shamrock!

Zane's a little under the weather and couldn't make it in to work today but he got all dressed up in his St. Patrick's Day outfit this morning anyway and I whipped out my camera and got some shots of our little shamrock! Enjoy!







Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Saturday, March 13, 2010

More Changes....

...Check it out. In honor of St. Patricks Day we are into Shamrocks!

Okay, really we are into Shamrocks every day....We are Shamrock Feed and Tack and shamrockm.com and Shamrock Construction. I'll leave the shamrocks here for a few days but then we'll be on to something else....

Stay tuned!

Our lil' cowboy Zane!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Dan & Ned's Weekend Project

Dan traded for this truck way back before Christmas....It needed a "little" work. Three months later we finally got it home. Dan and Ned have spent endless hours discussing their plans for their truck. Weekly phone calls to our mechanic...anticipating the big day...Well the big day finally got here last week. That means that this past weekend was the first weekend of many projects. Saturday afternoon I was a "helper". Not much time to take photos. Sunday was different, with camera in hand I chronicled the days events.


The "truck" .....


First order of business was to take the box bed off....



Many years ago Dan bought a 'box bed' that came off a truck and we used it for our feed/tack room in the barn. It was 14' long. It worked out nicely....there were no complaints...but then Dan bought a truck with a 24' box....time to expand! The area where the box set was exactly the right size! 2" bigger and it wouldn't have worked.....Taking it off was interesting! It involved a chain hoist, jacks and a lot of holding my breath hoping it didn't crash to the ground.



It's off and the chain hoist has been used to pull it into place...with only about six feet to go we must now move to Plan A. This involved using a beam placed behind the truck and pushing the box into place. Dan's driving, Ned's directing....Come on back...





Okay Ned get out of the way....



Okay, lets give her a try...


Nothing! Nada! Nil! With no weight on the back end of the truck the tires just spun in the arena dirt....



Okay, lets come up with plan B....How about putting the beam on the front bumper and pushing it?



Front bumper looks strong enough....




Let's give it a try....



It would have been simple to pull the truck outside and turn around and come back in....but Kelly missed the manuever on Saturday night when the only way to get the big truck out was to inch it forward and back with Ned on one end yelling WHOA and me on the other end yelling WHOA and Dan in the driver's seat barely paying attention to either of us. So Dan thought he would show her how he did it.....



Up and back, up and back...


15 minutes later and we're almost there....


Preparing for Plan B.....



So far, so good...




The dove that has taken up residence in our barn decided not to watch....


She was wise...now we're on to Plan C!

This involves taking tin off the back of the barn and pulling it in with the truck....





Hurry up Ned....here comes the truck.....



Got to get the truck in just the right spot....

Finish getting the tin off....



Back the truck up and hook onto the chain....








talking it over one more time....


ready for action.....





so far so good.....



hold it.....



it's pulling too much toward the wall....but we're almost there....



unimpressed bystanders.....


FINALLY!!! Right where we wanted it....


Perfect...


Good job guys...let's nap!


Gotta put the tin back on....



Just like it was....



Nap? Did somebody say nap?

Don't you just love watching other people work?