So far in 2012......

It is been a long while since I posted anything.  I do apologize.  Life just gets busier once you are retired.
Let's do a little catchup.
I attended my first Winter Carnival in Steamboat Springs.  It was awesome and I plan on going back for the 100th Anniversary blowout February 2013.  The condo is reserved for this and am staying for Mardi Gras there too. 
We all skied in March at Steamboat.  Bella did too in a backpack on Grandad's back - and yes she did her first black run with him.  She loves it.  (Gogo's plan is to make her into an Olympic skier and we will both move to Steamboat for training.  Time and plenty of skiing will tell the tale....)
The months moved at warp speed and before I knew it ... it was summer vacation traveling with Dan to Scotland.  AWESOME!  Traveled to the land of our ancestors.  Did feel like going home like I had been there before... perhaps because so much of it reminds me of WV  (except for the coast part....) but inland - the hills and countryside... no wonder our ancestors were happy in the hills and hollows of WV.  I learned alot that may give me some clues to tracking down my elusive Scottish and Irish ancestors.  I am an genealogy fanatic now.  Love uncovering the journeys and lives of my family.
Bella had her first birthday...
Tasha has started a new job in The Woodlands with Anadarko.
Curt's new home business is taking off - check his Facebook for details.
Kendyl is running all kinds of races - on land and sea (kayaking) and work is good.
Dan is busy with his job and not traveling as much as usual.
I am now the Vice-Regent of Margaret Montgomery Chapter of Texas State DAR and have been very busy getting ready for our year and then also getting a handle on the next step - Regent in 2013-2015.   

Now back to The Ranch.
The drought as you know decimated our hay fields.   Grass died in many places, we lost trees, and the weeds took hold.  Well, when Dan and I got back from vacation in Scotland - we had the best dad'gum crop of woolly croton weeds that anyone can grow.  This was bad - very bad - these weeds had grown to 4 feet tall and had to be taken down with a brush hog.  So Dan and I spent 3 weekends on the back of the tractor shredding our 55 acres.  (The last weekend - I broke out in hives from an overdose of the weed pollen and had to go get a shot, etc.  - I was down for 4 days with this stuff....)
Now, this past weekend - thanks to some rain and sunshine  -  We have HAY!!   We should get a cutting this fall.  Dan bought a weed sprayer for the tractor with a 20 foot boom  and I have my pesticide license so NO MORE WEEDS....   In the process, Big Daddy busted a water pump and is in the shop, but the little workhorse is still going strong.  I am excited - we are having a porch swing built from the lumber from the old Cedar tree that a storm took out over a year ago.  Hopefully, I will have this by Christmas.

Watch for an exciting announcement soon  with pictures.... A New Addition to The Ranch is coming!!

Hope this finds everyone well....  and surviving the summer  (we have had some heat but nothing like last year so I am not complaining)....  Getting ready for Fall.... and Traveling Safe!

Go have Fun.... Love to all,  Tracy O.