Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Every Once in a While...


I see something fashionable in a magazine that makes me stop and say WOW - that is elegant. This did just that when I saw it! (the coat - not the bag!)

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

What a Great Idea!

Do you need a decorative valence?Why not use wallpaper? Cut to the exact size. Glue on the trim. Hang straight or roll a few layers as was done here...and there you have it!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Don't Forget!


..there is only 1 week before the deadline for the Logo contest!

Another Chapter of Dream House and Garden!

When I find a picture that inspires me...

..I have to keep it..

..and I thought I would share a few of my favorites with you..









Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Huntsville, TX part 1

Sunday afternoon, Don and I crawled upon our bikes and headed out to Huntsville, TX. Mostly known as the location of the state prison, Huntsville is much more...much much more and that is why I have to go back to write a part 2 segment!

After an amazing ride through a National Forest and over a long bridge crossing Lake Conroe, our first stop was the Sam Houston Monument. It is situated right off of I-45 and it is huge!

If you have never seen it, look very closely. Can you see my husband standing at the bottom of the statue?

Because it was already mid afternoon, and most businesses closed between 4 and 5, we had to limit our exploring down to one other event before heading back. Guess where we went? The Prison Museum!

It was scary how fast Don got out his camera when I walked into this cell!

..and it would not have been a great museum without seeing the actual electric chair affectionately known as 'Old Sparky'!

Monday, May 19, 2008

A Very Eventful Trip to Asheville, NC.

Just in case you have not read my blog for a while, I have 2 (paying) jobs. One of those is for an airline and as I am sure you know, airline employees have flight benefits and this is where my story begins...

I felt confident in listing on a flight that looked full. I was traveling alone and at the top of the standby list because of my seniority of 17 years. This was the only flight from Houston to Asheville and it was a small plane, but it seemed that there was always an open seat from someone who was late getting to the airport or from a customer who encountered a misconnect. Only working half of a day, I left work at noon and parked my car in a pay lot. Catching the bus to the airport was an adventure on it's own, as the driver, I am sure was sharpening his skills as a Nascar driver! Everyone was hanging onto their seats and grab straps for dear life and I am still amazed that the side view mirrors were not knocked off of the bus with so many close calls!

Racing others to get off of that bus, I carried my bag to the Sky Cap station. As I checked my bag, I reiterated that I was a standby passenger so that my bag would be tagged as such. I thought it strange that I did not see anything indicating my flight status on my bag, but gave it no further thought, proceeding to the security check in. Passing through the lines, barefoot and void of all jewelry, a green light allowed me through. I checked the departure gate and started my journey through Terminal B.

With a bit less than one hour before my flight, I settled into a chair close to the podium, so that I could hear my name called when my seat was cleared. I made some calls, checked the contents of my purse and started my wait... Fifteen minutes before the flight was to leave, I started to get nervous. The gate agent reached for the intercom and I sat straight up expecting to hear my name called. To my dismay instead he was asking if any revenue passengers were interested in giving up their seat in exchange for travel vouchers! I saw a couple walk over to volunteer. I waited..and waited.. and when the couple went back to their seat, I approached the gate agent.

"Is the flight overbooked by 2 or just 1, because I am a non-rev?" I asked in desperation.

I knew that I had a few other options of getting to my destination, but each was much more difficult than the last and if I was going to get to see my baby show at his first show, I had to make it that night!

"Stay here." the gate agent gestured.

"Yeah!" I thought. "There is hope!"

As I waited for him to finish some paperwork at his station, a man ran up to the podium almost breathless saying, "Am I too late?"

The gate agent glanced as me for a split second and then replied to the man, "No Sir, you are right on time."

My heart sunk. I now had to proceed onto plan B. I asked the gate agent to retrieve my bag and as he did that, I went to the service counter to have my ticket changed to a new routing, Houston to Atlanta. I was now going to have to take another carrier from Atlanta to Ashville. I returned to the gate agent who informed me that my bag was on it's way to Asheville without me!

With no time to fuss, I turned and started my sprint over to terminal E, where my company office could issue me a pass on the other carrier. I realized that although I am required to dress professionally when I fly, my choice of high heeled summer sandals was a disastrous choice! One train ride and a 500 yard dash later, I was int the office and paying for my pass. I then called the other carrier and listed myself on the flight.

With little to no time to spare, I stared my speed walking again, this time over to terminal C to catch the flight to Atlanta. With more than enough seats to clear everyone, including the lowly non-revenue standbys, I was boarded.

It was a bumpy flight which seemed to only get worse the closer we got to Georgia. The pilot came over the intercom assuring us everything was fine, but that a storm had centered itself over Atlanta and that we may have a bit of a delay. I was not too worried though. There were 2 flights from Atlanta to Asheville and at the time I listed, both had a few seats still available.

Arriving 30 minutes later than scheduled, I felt like I would have run over my own Grandmother to get off of that plane. Although the next flight was scheduled to leave out of the same terminal, the 2 gates could not have been further apart. I was literly running in my high heels, trying to catch the earlier connection. Gasping for breath, I arrived at the gate to find the door had just been closed. My shoulders dropped as fast as my chin. I asked the agent to relist me on the next flight and just to torture myself I also asked him if there were any open seats on the flight I had just missed. He grimaced his face as he said,
"There was one."

I walked over to the new gate...the gate where the last Atlanta to Asheville flight was to leave in 2 hours. I informed the agent standing there I was on standby for the flight and inquired about it's status.
"Honestly?" she said
"This flight is completely sold out and there are 6 people ahead of you also wanting to standby."

My heart sunk. I felt defeated. I walked slowly over to an open seat and put my purse and camera bag down. I dug my phone out to call Don.
"I have to come home. I did not make the first flight out of Atlanta and the second one is full. I am not going to get to see Dominus show." I told him.

"There has to be something you can do. Go and see if there is a seat you can buy." he replied with hope in his voice.

Putting him on hold, I walked over to the gate agent and asked about it. All the revenue seats were completely sold out and I felt lost.

"All the seats are sold out Don. I will just come home. There is one more flight from Atlanta to Houston tonight." I told him.

"Just wait Julie." he said. I waited and could hear some movement in the background but had no idea what he was doing. "I just did a map quest from Atlanta to Asheville and it is just over 200 miles. Go and rent a car and drive there!" he said.

Don hated it when I went out of town overnight and my job writing for Saddle and Bridle magazine, kept me in hotel rooms a couple of nights per month, so this gesture meant the world to me.

"Are you sure??" I questioned.

"Yes Julie, you know how much you want to see him show. I think you should do this...and besides, your luggage is already there waiting for you!" he replied.

I hung up the phone and took the airport train to the destined area where all of the rental car companies sold their services. I looked around at the enormous amounts of people and picked a line where a sign was posted that said, "Cars Available"

I rented my car, got directions to the rental bus terminal and loaded my tired body into my newest seat. I was disappointed that I could not return the car in Asheville, but instead would have to journey back to Atlanta the next day. We drove a few miles and I noticed how bad the weather was. I was not only raining, but quite windy as well. It also occurred to me that although I asked for the lowest rate car they had, I never actually checked what I was charged. I cringed as I saw the 90+ dollars on the bill!

I found my car, got in and started to drive to the checkout booth. It was there that I encountered one of the nicest people ever. She took her time and showed me how to work the GPS. Maybe it was more than obvious that I had no idea where I was actually going when I told her I did not have an address, only a city! "Never you mind." She said as she guided me to putting in the correct data and got me on my way.

My journey was to take about 3 hours, but due to the poor weather conditions, it took closer to 4. It was raining the entire time, windy to the point of limbs and leaves flying across the road and the fog left me wondering sometimes what was on the side of the road! It was not until my journey back the next day that I realized I had crossed 2 bodies of water and the scenery was breathtaking!

It was almost midnight as I drove into the small town of Hendersonville, a small historic town just South of my destination. I called the trainer to get directions to the hotel and inquired where the airport was, so I could get my suitcase. Thankfully the rain had stopped and I drove into the airport lot directly across from the baggage pick up. I walked in and was greeted by an airport employee. I explained my circumstances and asked her if I could get my bag.

"I am sorry, but the airline personnel just left and your bag is locked away." she said with compassion. "You can come back tomorrow morning. They will be here at 5am."

I thanked her and drove to the hotel. I checked in, got my key and found my room. I could not wait to call Don and tell him this newest development - if for nothing else, to give us both a laugh. I ran a bath, washed my underclothes and missed my toothbrush very much! I crawled into bed and tried to sleep...

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Please Vote!

This is Dominus Villa (Latin for Master of the house) This is him at his debut horse show! I am such a proud horsey Momma!
I am going to buy one of these photos - but am having a hard time deciding which one.Please vote for your favorite.

A very funny story about my journey to Asheville, NC is short coming...

Thursday, May 15, 2008

On my way to Asheville, NC..

..to see my horse show in his first show! Wish us luck!

Wish I had time to go here too!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

More Dreamy Ideas for my Fantasy Home!

..as you can tell, I love a home with lots of Southern Charm and dimension.

Details details details...look at the window.

A swing for the huge Pecan tree in the front yard!

A nursery for the next baby.....Bite your tongue! I meant next Grand Baby!

A room for Madison!

Monday, May 12, 2008

Tagged - you got me!

I have been tagged by Home Again Vintage Treasures to try and come up with 7 things I have never posted about myself....humm I am pretty talkative - so this is going to be hard.

1. My Grand Father understood my love of horses and used to take me to his friends farm to ride. He had a mild heart attack one time when we were there and I don't know why, but I felt very guilt ridden over that. He actually drove us home, but was admitted into the hospital the next day.

2. I went to a Catholic Middle and High School. A mean nun told me to my face that because I was not Catholic, I would not go to heaven...yeah, I was about 11 years old...and I still hope God gives her grief over that!

3. I broke my leg in a snow skiing accident on Christmas Day. My brother and I were playing chase.

4. When I was in 6th or 7th grade I won a cage of Parakeets. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that my name was going to be drawn. Sure wish that feeling would come back when I buy a lottery ticket! ha ha

5. My birthday is on St. Patrick's Day. My husbands birthday is on Halloween and we were married on Thanksgiving!

6. In high school I got into a huge fight with my best friend. I called my Mom and she came and got me. She parked her car in the parking lot across the street and let me cry and we talked forever... She did not give me any grief about missing some of my classes either....what a Great Mom she was!

7. My first horse trainer's dog bit me pretty bad on the arm. I knew that she took very good care of her dogs (Rottweilers..spelling?) and she was really hurting for money. She was a struggling widow and those dogs were her life. I never told her the dog bit me. I pulled my sleeve way down over my arm, took my riding lesson and that was that. Stupid - I know it was stupid...but I still don't regret it.

Friday, May 9, 2008

A Derby Party!

The Day of the Derby happened to fall on a Saturday when I was away covering a horse show. Not wanting to miss out on the fun, Bluebonnet Farms hosted a Derby party in between the horse show sessions. There was food...

...and drinks! BTW - if you have never had a Mint Julep, just go and stick a straw in a bottle of Bourbon with a sprig of mint and Wha-la! You could have lit my breath after trying this Southern drink!
The television was placed high enough for everyone to see

...and there was a fancy hat contest too. This is Elly and her Mom Ada. Elly is wearing a most fashionable flower-child hat. Ada is the most exotic Carmen Miranda model I have ever seen!

...and here we have a creative Jackie O pill box hat - made from a recycled basket!

..and this is the trainer for Bluebonnet Farms, Sandy, elegantly strolling along the waters edge ~ walking her dogs.

...and the contest Winner? Yes folks, this original hat is made from beer bottles fished out of the trash..from another unnamed barn, tied together with shoe strings that we normally use to tie down horse tongues...Add some festive flowers and Martha Stewart - LOOK OUT!

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Contest Reminder!

You see - I am looking for a unique logo that I can stencil onto our new horse trailer...and later have it sewn onto stall curtains that are used at horse shows ...and then maybe even on shirts and caps and such. But - I am looking for some fresh ideas....not a copy of someone else's logo with my name on it!

Here are a few Saddlebred logos already in use - so that you get the idea of what the horse must look like!

Must have a high head.

..a high set tail..

..and exhibit great leg action..

..in both front and back.

***HINTS***

I am looking for a logo that displays our farm name and all or part of a Saddlebred horse.

The Farm name is Equus Villa. (FYI - It is Latin for horse farm)
I love the Old English font...but am open to others.
If a horse is used in the logo - it MUST represent a Saddlebred.
Our Farm colors are Black and White with silver as an accent color.

This contest is open to ANYONE who is interested - you do not need to have a blog and there is no age limit.

What is the prize you ask??? Well - just to cover all the bases of what EVERYONE would or might want... It will be a crisp $100.00 bill!

Contest deadline is midnight June 01, 2008. Please tell all of your creative friends, relatives, children...etc. etc. etc. I REALLY REALLY need a logo and have turned to the most creative group of people I know to find one!

I must have at least 20 entries from no less than 15 people...and even if I do not use one - I will just pick my favorite and award that person the money. If there are less than 20 entries from 15 people but one logo is perfect - I will award that designer the money as well! There is no limit on how many logos you can submit. Please e-mail them to me at juliesize@yahoo.com

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Thinking About Chickens!

Sooo - we live on a farm.. and because I have really high cholesterol, I can only eat egg whites and trash the yoke, which translates into me eating twice as many eggs as someone who eats them whole. Sooooo - I have been thinking about building a hen house and adding some feathers friends to our animal collection!

It seems like a simple enough project to build the hen house.



So - what do you think? Am I nuts?

Monday, May 5, 2008

I'm Not Dead...

I just returned from covering a horse show Dallas called Big D Charity. If you are here looking for horse show photos, they are on www.texassaddlehorse.blogspot.com

Thursday, May 1, 2008

My Little Horse...

..is doing so awesome. This is Dominus Villa (Master of the House) Here he is in harness..

..and under saddle..

..and this is him lifting into a canter!He is going to his first show in 2 weeks!