Sunday Stills Challenge - Moods and Emotions

Well howdy strangers! Long time no see! I have a confession to make...I haven't even picked up my camera in months. Months! I'm not sure exactly why, but I didn't even realize how long it had been since I really took some pictures until I picked up my camera Friday night with this SSC in mind. It felt weird in my hand and that made me very sad.

But I'm back! And hoping it's a regularly back thang, not hit and miss. I really want to challenge myself to take better pictures and learn more about my camera this year.

On to the Sunday Stills Challenge this week, which is Moods and Emotions. "This challenge is for you to get a shot that enables a response in the person who views your pic not one that is your personal emotion. For example if I see a pic of a tranqual stream or a sunrise I feel mellow, If I see a pic of a doggie smiles or a horse doing his rolling in dirt thing It makes me smile, you get the idea."

This is definitely a challenge, but I know my pets always evoke some sort of emotion in me (good and bad, lol) and May Belle (aka: Chunk, Fatty, Tubby, Chubs...she's a little....um...rotund) was a happy and willing subject for me. Each of these pictures makes me feel a little different, what do they do for you?

Chunk stretching out of her little ball to glare at me and the camera.

Chunk on her back. You might think she's all sprawled out sleeping, but no...the dog is on the ground just out of the frame and she's teasing her.

Bath time!

*YAWN*

And here we have poor, pathetic Cheyanne cuddling with her substitute kitty, the hedgehog, because the kitties are playing outside and she is stuck in the house. If that doesn't make you stick out your lower lip and feel bad for her, I don't know what will. :-)

That's all for this week! Hope to see you all again next week!

Kitten Update!

I realized I haven't done an update on the kittens in quite a while so here's what they've been up to. They are getting big! Well, bigger. I think they will stay pretty small cats though. They are growing up quickly. I got over my over-protective tendencies and have been kicking them outside all day. I think they like it, they aren't terribly anxious to get back in when I get home.

They are really good tree climbers. Too good, actually. They love it and they won't stop. The turkeys.

This was Chunks first tree climbing experience. We left for a bit one day and when we got home she was up the tree meowing pathetically.

See her peeking out? She was quite a ways up the tree. In the picture below you can see her little face about a quarter of the way down the pic next to the wire. She was probably 30-40 feet up.



I made the boyfriend climb up the tree and get her down before it got dark. The next day she climbed it again. I told her she had to figure it out this time, she only got one get out of jail free pass. She was down just after dark. Smart kitty!

Legs on the other hand...apparently not so smart. She was climbing trees the whole time I was out holding horses for the shoer a couple weeks ago. She would meow like she was stuck for a while, but always figured out a way to get down. Then she got stuck. We figured she could find a way to get down on her own, but she never did. She spent the night in the tree. Poor thing. Must have been a miserable night. I woke up in the middle of the night to check if she had gotten herself down and was ready to come in, but she was still stuck. It was just as well though because there was a rather large sounding pack of coyotes very close so atleast she was safe in the tree. She was down when I got home from work the next day though so I didn't worry about it too much.

I went out of town this last weekend and she got herself good and stuck while I was gone. She did it sometime while the boyfriend was out running errands Saturday afternoon. She still had not come down by the time I got home from work on Monday. The tree she was up was not one we could climb easily so after some figurin' I decided I could pull my truck under it to stand on and snag her out of the branches. She was one traumatized little kitty after 48 hours in a tree. She hasn't been climbing trees much since and I hope she learned her lesson!

When we are home and Chey is outside they are her entertainment. She likes to stalk them.

She is one smart little puppy dog too, cracks me up. She hides behind the truck tires and peeks around them to watch the kittens come out of hiding and then pounces.



The kittens are much braver when we are outside to yell at Cheyanne. They are such trouble makers! So funny to watch though!

This is a close up of Chunk aka: May Belle. Overall she has darker coloring and her tabby stripes are really coming out. She's very pretty! She has a very white belly and paws and light yellow-green eyes.

Legs aka: June Bug, has much lighter coloring, more orange and light colors. Her eyes are a really dark gold color.



They are both just adorable and super friendly. They love to curl up on the couch with us when we are watching tv.

The poor things are cutting teeth right now though. I was holding Legs and petting her and noticed something on her chest. It was a tooth! So I had to inspect and see where it came from. It was Chunks tooth! Not sure how it ended up on Legs' chest! In my teeth inspecting though I found this...

Poor Chunk has two canine teeth on her top right side. Her gums are all red and sore looking. And neither of them are loose. Legs has a really loose tooth on her bottom left, but I couldn't get it out. Poor kittens. I'm sure they aren't enjoying that experience too much. And it's about time to be getting them spayed too. They may not like me for a while.

Updates ~ I Am Alive!

Yes, I am alive! Even though I've only managed to get some of the Sunday Stills posts up for the last umm...4 weeks. Yikes! Man, time funs when you're having flies! Or something like that.

So lets go back and start at my state meet for drill. Midori looooves going to shows because she gets a nice clean stall and shavings to roll around in. Seriously, not 5 minutes after I stick her in the stall this is what she looks like. Isn't she the cutest pony ever?!

The state meet went well. Of course it wasn't without drama, but it was all resolved fairly early on and the rest of the weekend went well. I remembered all the drills, loped a couple of them for the first time that weekend. It was really fun! We came in 6th over all out of 13 teams. Not fabulous, but considering all the shaking up and filling spots and switching around we did, not too shabby!

This is me in Freestyle. I was the only flag. I liked my spot though, other the Midori running off with me a bit. She liked being on the outside of the sweep for a lap and a quarter and didn't want to check back to make he 90 degree turn into the center to be on the outside of the crack.

Also, notice we are on the wrong lead in this pic? We're not going to talk about that.

We are also not going to talk about this...

I will say that our quad placed 6th (I think) out of like 20 something teams, so that was fun! It was a fun ride, but the first time I had loped that drill this year and to say we hauled ass in an understatement.

About 2 hours before I rode the flag in Freestyle I was at a cutting show. The timing ended up working out perfectly, I was so happy! We had a fabulous ride, Midori really cowed up and I think enjoyed the break from the drill team boot camp she had suddenly found herself in. We didn't score well, but I was thrilled with our ride considering we hadn't worked buffalo in a couple weeks. The boyfriend called me as I was pulling in back at the drill meet and informed me that my score had held for 2nd place! Yahoo!!!

That was a very fun weekend. It was nice to hang out with my drill team again and I've always loved state.

Next update: Chey has kitties for lunch!

Just kidding! She got to meet them for the first time without bars between them! She was SOOO excited, she could hardly contain herself. Just imagine her little nubbin tail going a mile a minute here.

The kitties were just as curious about her. Chunk was a little more timid about walking right up to her and tended to keep her distance, but Legs would walk right up to her, rub up against her, roll over in front of her and swat at her.

Chey did really well with them, though did get a little excited a few times. She is definately intense and we keep an eye on her to make sure she's not mauling them to death on accident. Do you see the kitty tail sticking out from under her paw in this picture?

She loves to nibble them, like sort of cleaning, like I imagine a momma would do to her puppies. She also stands over them protectively. She really is gentle and good with them, just really intense. Go figure, since she's an Aussie. Since she didn't eat them for lunch that time we let them out in the house to play now. For the most part it is just fine, though there have been some epic chases. The kittens run from Chey playfully, she tears after them, the cats go oh sh**! and run, Chey continues to chase them...etc. And then there is the comedic relief that is Chey trying to herd kittens. Oh my goodness, funniest thing ever! She just does not understand why it doesn't work! She tries to push them up and they lay down in front of her. If she does happen to herd them together for a second, they'll take off in opposite directions. You can just see the smoke coming out of her ears as she tries to decide which one to chase!

The kittens haven't gone outside yet, but I guess it's getting to be that time. I just have to let go of my overprotective tendencies and kick their butts outside. They are also officially June Bug and May Belle now. Legs is June Bug and Chunk is May Belle. I still call them Legs and Chunk most of the time though. They are getting huge! And rambunctious! Holy cow, they are tearing my house apart! Part of why they need to go outside!

We had another cutting show a couple weeks ago. That one didn't go so well. It had been really hot, record highs around here, and we hadn't been riding at all. The cows I got were just awful and my turn back riders were no help at all. Sugar was full of piss and vinegar and Justin was having no luck with her either. Fortunately, everyone seemed to be having an off day, so my 65 held for a tie for 4th and 5th out of 8 riders. I'm still hanging on to 1st place in the series by a half point. No pressure for the next show, huh? Ugh!

The week leading up to that show we learned that the boyfriends mom had been admitted to the hospital and was scheduled to have open heart surgery. That made for a very hectic week, going up to the hospital every evening. We were also trying to get our house and yard presentable because we were hosting my small family reunion a couple weeks later. I had just started a painting project when we found out she was in the hospital, and what should have taken me 2 evenings to finish up ended up taking me a full week. We were busy and it just wasn't a fun time. But the surgery went well and she is doing good. It's amazing how staining the deck and planting flowers in the front flower bed are suddenly not a priority when stuff like that happens. :-) We did manage to get the house and yard somewhat presentable and the reunion was fun. We had tons of leftovers so I haven't had to cook all week and I was really happy to have a clean, clean house for the first time in a while!

This week and weekend has been really nice to catch up, relax and just not have any big obligations. I really love summer and the sun and warm temps, but fall is by far my favorite season just because it's not as crazy busy as summer. Next weekend I will be attending the SAFE horse show. That should be interesting! It's been a while since I've done pleasure, equitation and showmanship classes! And I'm doing a halter class, which I've never done. No clue what I'm doing there! :-) I'm looking forward to it though! I do miss rail classes every once in a while.

So that's my story. Nothing terribly interesting, but it's been a busy, busy summer!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summers!

Sunday Stills Challenge - Toys

Well, I survived last weekend! More on that later. I haven't had much time to take pictures lately, let alone get them loaded and do a blog post, but I wanted to get back to the Sunday Stills Challenges so I'm making time for it this morning! :-)

My kittens are my new toys and they are a hoot to watch! They play hard and long and are always entertaining. Especially when they are attacking my toes when I walk up to the bed that they are under and try to climb up my legs when I'm wearing shorts. That's a blast, let me tell ya! lol

For the most part though, I am having so much fun with my little kitties. Still haven't officially named them, but right now they are Chunk and Legs. One is a little tub and the other one is tall and skinny. Nothing like giving a girl a complex early on, huh?

This was Legs playing with the camera lense from my lap. I thought it was hilarious. I was sitting down on the ground taking pictures of them playing together when Legs jumped on my lap and started swatting at my camera. I pulled back at first but then realized she only wanted the dangling lense.

On a side note: do you see those back claws digging into my leg?!? My poor legs have little kitty scratch scabs all over them. Ouchy!

This morning as I sat down to go through my archives for Toy pics I looked over and both the kitties were wrestling with Chey's toys.

Here Chunk is showing the hedge hog what's up! This poor hedge hog has been through the wringer! It's survived Chey for over a year now, been partially de-fuzzed and had it's ears and eyes gnawed off, but it's still going strong and even still honks!

At the same time Chunk and the hedge hog were going at it, Legs was over teaching Piggy a lesson. She hadn't spied me in this picture, though it does look like it. She was eyeballin' a fly that was buzzing around. She loves chasing flies!

Piggy is Cheyanne's favorite toy.

I'm interested to see what she does when she smells the kittens all over it!

Poor girl.

Kitty Smackdown

Alright, as promised, here is the Smackdown that occurred on the boyfriends knees the other night. I was shooting in continuous mode and the house was dark so please forgive the quality (or serious lack thereof) of the photos. They were just too funny to not post. Sorry, it's kinda long, but mostly pictures.

Here we go...




Fighters, take your corners...er, knees!

Get those claws warmed up and Prepare to fight!

Round 1...FIGHT!

*POW* And Girl 1 gets a left jab in right at the bell...

Uh-oh, looks like Girl 1 has a claw stuck and Girl 2 is going in for a left hook!

*BAM* G2 nails G1 with that left hook, but G1's claw is still stuck

G2 winds up for another left hook...

*KAPOW* Oh, that ones a doozy, but that claw is holding strong!

G2 winds up for a third hit, but it looks like that claw is finally coming loose.

*KABLAM* G2 lands a third blow, knocking G1's claw loose finally and takes Round 1 with 3 punches.

Ok, fighters...Here's Round 2...FIGHT!

Look at the speed G2 has in that left jab! Amazing! But G1 is winding up for a good one while dodging that swipe. Just look at her coiling up, ready to pounce and really put the hurt on with those claws!

*WHAM*

G2 looks a little stunned by that blow, but is recovering quickly. But will she be quick enough to get out of the way of the next blow coming?

*BLAM*

Oh! Not quite fast enough and she takes a direct hit to the head.

You can just feel the focus in G1...look at that stance, those ears, the tail straight down for balance...she's one tough little kitty!

But wait...G2 is still fighting!

G2 looks like she's about to bring some serious heat!

*KABLAMO*

Oh! She lands a solid hit on G1's head and winds up for more!

Looks like another solid wind up...look at that speed!

But wait, what's this?! It looks like G1 managed to get out of the way, sending G2 sprawling...

G1 goes in for the kill while G2 is still off balance!

*BAM*

And G1 lands another solid hit on the head for the knockout punch!

Our winner and feather weight King of the Mountain is Girl 1!

Okay, okay...I know I'm a total dork. You don't have to tell me. It totally reminds me of some weird mix of the Simba/Scar slow motion fight scene in the Lion King and the old comic book cartoons. I totally picture the big *POW* *BAM* screens flashing after every hit. Anyone else? Is that just me?

*tap, tap*

This thing on?

(name that blog!)

Well, it's apparently way past my bedtime and I think I'm getting delirious...ya, that's it. ;) Stay tuned for plenty more Kitty Tales coming soon!

Kitten Tales

I am having so much fun with my new kitties! They are the cutest little things EVER! Possibly cuter then Cheyanne when she was a puppy. I dunno though, Chey was a darn cute puppy. I think the fact that I don't have to potty train the kitties gives them the win though. ;)

I am enjoying getting to know them and figure out their personalities and similarities and differences. They are the friendliest little kittens, run up to the door with their tails straight up when I go in to visit and won't go play in the house when I let them out until I give them each some loves.

This is from their first night at the house when Cheyanne smelled them under the door and was growling.

Immediately they puffed up and started spitting. Freakin' hilarious! Smart kitties though! Cheyanne wanted to have them for lunch! We have to be super duper careful with them and not let Chey in while they are out, or even go out the door if they are out. Chey caught sight of one the other day while the boyfriend was sneaking out and she lunged at the door. Luckily, the boyfriend saw it coming and was able to catch her and get the door closed. It's going to be a long process getting them introduced, but I think more then anything it's just going to take the kittens getting bigger and growing claws to earn her respect. Right now, Chey digs up and kills moles in the yard that are bigger then these two!

And of course any suggestions on introducing an apparently aggressive Aussie dog to new kittens are greatly appreciated! Right now Chey gets to smell them under the door and just in the last week or so it has turned into more of a game with them then the original "I want to eat you" thing it was. The kittens meow at her under the door and she pounces and backs off, they stick their heads under the door again, etc. etc. Before she was rather aggressive, but now she is happy while she's doing it. She smells every where they've gone when she comes in the house too, so she is getting used to their scent that way as well. We did have a face to face meeting with me holding kittens or letting them play near her while the boyfriend held Chey in a death grip, but she was still very aggressive and lunged at one, mouth open, as soon as I held it close enough for her to smell. I think we're going to wait a little while to do that again.

Anyways, they are very cute! And they play, play, play, play, play! Oh my goodness! It doesn't seem like they play a little and sleep a lot like the puppy did. And anything is interesting. Anything!

Here, a pebble is the coolest new toy on the block.

They also spend a good chunk of their time out playing in the shoes.

Their favorite jungle gym was the shelf of pop and water. Here they are playing thru the clear plastic of the water case. They would also go in the pop boxes and attack the other one thru the carrying handle hole.

They do a lot of running around the house chasing eachother! They are loud! I expected cats to be light on their feet, graceful, agile...you know, like cats! But these two sound like a herd of elephants running around!

Unfortunately, it didn't take them long to discover the couches. They loooove to climb them. *shudders* This was my big fear, that they would trash the couches. So far I haven't noticed any snags and I'm hoping that by the time they are big enough to leave snags, they'll be able to jump on them instead of having to climb them. Fingers crossed! They can almost jump up on the seat of them right now so I think we should be ok.

The boyfriend layed down on the the floor the other day and they immediately used him as a jungle gym. Here they are playing King of the Mountain on his knees. I did some of the continuous shoot mode while they were up there and I plan to do a post on the smackdown that occurred. I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes while looking thru those pictures!

I am also noticing that they are fast! Like really fast! Probably 90% of my pictures of them are blurry because they don't sit still for even half a second! Even my sports mode on my Nikon doesn't always catch them! Crazy kids! I'm sure it does't help that my house is pretty dark though.

In these pictures I was in the bedroom folding clothes and they were keeping me company. They ended up climbing up the jeans on hangers in the boyfriends closet and playing on them. They were having a total blast too! It was hilarious to watch since the hangers would move and tilt.

Don't they just look like TROUBLE?!