Monday, February 25, 2013

STINKING THINKING`

....So....
That's what my daughter says when someone has a bad attitude
That's just stinking thinking

Which is kinda where I found myself Saturday
Mr. Gorgeous WANTED BADLY to go to a Cutter Rally
and I wasn't "getting into it"
Hey...I'm not about cold weather activities 

but I decided to put my big girl panties on
and participate with him

So we headed out early Saturday morning
to travel almost 2 hours north/west of our place
to hang out with other
Cutter Rally..Cold Weather enthusiasts. 

I dressed up warm 
and we packed a little lunch
and met up with a whole bunch of other cutter rally fans

(photo courtesy of facebook page for this rally)

Lots and Lots of horse trailers, trucks, horses, mules 
and bundled up folks  

 (my photo)

The organizers did a good job of plowing out lanes for everyone
to park
Good turn out
you can imagine all these farmer/cowboys
gathered around
checking out each others gear and animals 
nice team of horses ya got there 

I thought my husband was crazy to want to go
to all that work of
packing up the gear
getting the horses in
traveling there
harnessing them up
just to Undo all the gear at the end
and put it all away  
he calls it a labor of love
I call him crazy

  (my photo)


 (my photo)

Mr. Gorgeous left the sleigh out ALL last summer, fall 
and this winter
so it is in need of a paint job.

He says it is a great social activity for the horses
Hmmmm. Did you ask them
Maybe they are a little miffed at having to work that hard??

As soon as we were all hitched up
the somewhat warm sunny weather
got cloudy and a little windy
Gall dern it

    (photo courtesy of facebook page for this rally)
 
 Some kids had their toboggans
tied to the back of their parents sleighs
and got pulled behind it......would be kinda fun for the kiddies
 
   (photo courtesy of facebook page)

Gosh, I sure wish my grandkids lived close enough
for us to do that with them 

 (mine)

Cool looking MULES !

So out we head, and I am starting to "get into it"
Every now and then our horses would
act up a little
and I was WHOA NELLY !!!

About 1/2 way along the trip
they had a station at some farmers property
where you could get some refreshments
a hot dog....BOILED WIENER
(never will I eat a boiled wiener)
 hot chocolate/coffee
that sort of thing

(courtesy of facebook page)

Hitched up while humans went in for there
sick boiled wiener

 (my photo)

 This was a cute little unit 
and he even has a stove inside it...if you look at the front
you can see smoke coming out of it
NOW THAT'S TRAVELING IN COMFORT  
    
 (my photo)
 
FIVE STAR facilities  

So after this little stop
we headed out again

Things were going rather smoothly 
when all of a sudden there was a potato chip bag
left on the trail

Well, our team of little house on the prairie horses
turned into little horse of horrors

They FREAKED out over this stupid bag
and it was RODEO time
I didn't know whether to jump off
or hang on tight
and hope I had all my body parts still preserved 

But thanks to hubby
he got them under control and back on the trail
He told me he had total control of the situation    

I told him he was close to having to drive me back
to those Five Star Facilities.

   (my photo...it is hard to take photos when your bouncing around)   

That line you see across the photo
is the whip hubby uses incase they need a little coaxing
hells bells, they didn't need any coaxing

and I kept getting whacked across the face with it

This was about an 8 mile treck
through fields

 (courtesy photo)

and trees

  ( my photo)

As we were pulling up into the homestretch
a fellow stopped us and asked if he could take our picture
He was from the local newspaper and wants to put our picture in it
as OUR sleigh was impressive he said....different from the others   
(and here I was looking like I took a long dip in the ugly pond) 

We all gathered in the community hall 

 (my photo)

 (mine)

An interesting bunch of folks
There were some handlebar mustaches there
I could have done pull ups on

It was called a Poker Rally
and at the beginning
and at the rest stop area
and the end
you'd draw some chips out of a barrel with numbers on them
and put that number or your card
Prizes given out for highest hand, lowest.....etc

   (mine)

As it turned out, MY HAND took fifth place
and I won $24.00

 (mine)

Restroom
  
 (mine)

We all got a ribbon for Participating
OUR FIRST 
I'll have to make a ribbon, picture board
and put it in the arena I think 

 (mine)

Hubby putting the horses and gear away
After about a three hour treck, I was pooped
and I really didn't have to do the WORK
I think my near death experience took it's toll on me (tee,hee)  

So all in all
I have to admit
I HAD FUN
and need to stop my stinking thinking 

38 comments:

Julie Harward said...

Sounds like a really fun day, as long as you were warm enough! I have never seen a spotted mule team like that, gorgeous! I bet you were all pretty tired, but look, you got a blog post from all of it..awesome! :)

Just SO said...

While the horses and the sleighs look awesome, it just looks too dang cold! It's like you would stick to the seat of the "facilities".

Michele said...

Oh Wendy, that sounds like a lot of fun. The only problem I could see was the cold but you can dress for that . You could use quilts and those hand warmers that you could buy at Marks Workwear. It wasn't too cold on Saturday was it? What am experience that would have been. Not everyone gets to do a cutter rally. Lucky girl. Great pictures.

"Alone again.... naturally!" said...

That looks like fun. I would love to have a couple of horses and a sleigh! But it would have to have pontoons on it as we get more rain than snow! I think they are just "perty" though!

Sherri B. said...

I love the "Stinking Thinking" and find that the phrase might be just the ticket at certain times for me to get out of the brain ditches I can get in!

Thanks for sharing your day, I have never heard about this event...it does look like so much (cold) fun! xo

tammy said...

You are a trooper. I think would have said hell no. Did I mention I don't do cold?

The Gathering Place said...

Looks like a great outing in some beautiful scenery. I kind of miss that country part of my life now that I'm a city girl. My dad used to pull our sleighs behind his tractor.

Becky Andrews said...

Wow that sounds like quite the experience! Sounds cold but like quite an adventure! Thanks for sharing your journey.

Roslyn said...

You made me laugh Wendy, it sounds like a lot of very chilly fun! I am with you on the hot dogs but i will NEVER eat one in any shape or form.
I love the spotted mules they are adorable & the cute little camper sleight, too much!

jeanne, backyard neighbor said...

Hi Wendy, I was so totally entertained I was sad when your wonderful cutter ride ended. I too hate to be cold but this had to be so much fun. Except for the boiled wiener. Yuck! But...if you are hungry ...mmmmmmm delicious. HA!

The horses are awesome and the spotted mules too. Thank you for a grand tour and a fun time while I'm staying warm.
Love you too and I am busy as h... printing my garden club yearbook.

I'm not sure when I'll be back. sigh!
xoxoxo Jeanne

Pondside said...

Now that's a day that not many of us can say we've had! Thanks for taking us on it - I could feel your resistance to the afternoon fade away as the post went on - you were such a good sport!
The ribbon - the name is familiar - it's an unusual one.

Diane said...

What an awesome outing...my kind of fun, minus the cold of course! Excellent post my friend.

" Hit It......." said...

That sounds like a ball. I would like to be a spectator there. Had to laugh about the handlebar moustaches. I would have been slyly taking pictures of those.

Love the pictures and your story even more. Would you do it again?

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Yee haw! I admire you! A bit too cold and exotic for me! And twenty five bucks to boot!

Anonymous said...

Gee - whizzzzzzzzzzzzz I want-a come along -- totally awesome FUN - and you won something that tops it!! Super fun for you to get out and about!! I like actives like this just keep me-feet warm and I am happy camper!
Hugs..

C'est moi Claudette said...

You cutter ride and I put pearls on my jeans..... lol.
And what is wrong with boiled hot dogs??? I boil mine all the time, well I haven't for a long time, but I used to for the kids with soft buns.... anyway
You know I'm glad you are out and about. So quit Stinking Thinking and carry on BGF.
Love YOU
xoxoxoxo

mCat said...

You are a brave girl. There would be no way in hell you'd catch me out there! Guts girl - you got guts!

gigi said...

You live such an exciting life!!

gigi said...

Oh and I LOVED all "your" pictures! Good job!

DB Stewart said...

I like your daughter's phrase. And I can relate because sometimes my wife makes me do things I don't want to do and then I discover they are actually sort of fun. Marriage eh?

Pedaling said...

and you had fun!
i've done that stinking thinking thing only to end up having a little fun!
it looks cold but the pictures are gorgeous!

Teacup Mosaics said...

I love it when a group gets together and share something they are passionate about. Horses bring so many people together that otherwise wouldn't cross paths in their everyday life. After a "horse affair" I always am happy that I made the effort.
I have to thank you for the very nice and heart felt comment. This blogging "thing" makes for meeting wonderful people like you.

DesertHen said...

I do that "stinking thinking" a lot when I just don't feel like going out and doing something. It gets in the way a lot, but sometimes I end up going out and having a good time.

Glad you had a good time and won a little $$$. Great photos! Love the sleighs. And those spotted mules...WOW! So cool!

Mimi Sue said...

It does sound fun and cold too. Glad all turned out well at the rodeo! Mimi

GardenOfDaisies said...

I have to admit I had never heard of a cutter rally, didn't even know what a cutter was, until I read further down your posts. (I apparently don't live far enough north.) But it sounds like it was a lot of fun and a great excuse to get out and mingle with the neighbors. I love your green ribbon! :-)

Ann Marie said...

I like Emma's phrase.

Good girl putting your big girl pants on. :)

Anonymous said...

I don't know much about horses, so I never would have thought that a potato chip bag could cause so much trouble, but this looks like soooo much fun! And you got a ribbon too. Yay!
Have a great weekend, Wendy!
Hugs,
Zuzu

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

That is so awesome!
I want those mules! So cool looking.

A bag o' chips? Really? Barry may have to do some potato chip bag conditioning.

Glad you had fun. The scenery is beautiful.

Raindrops and Daisies said...

Sounds like a great day Wendy

Have a great week and I hope that March will be a good month for you.

Fiona ♥

koralee said...

Oh my....I think this would be fun but I am soooo with you on boiled wieners...Never ever..would I eat one of those things. Thanks for sharing...love the photos. xo

Anonymous said...

Hi cutie padoodie! This sounds like so much fun! I love seeing your snaps and reading your posts on Facebook! ;)
Thanks for popping in to see me.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Maria Elena said...

Sounds like you guys has a lot of fun, even with the cold weather. You are a trooper!

June said...

So where did all the stinkin' thinkin' get you? hehehehe. I LOVE reading any post you write Wendy. One minute you have me craking up and then all warm and fuzzy inside.
I laughed my butt off when you said that the Mr. said it was a good social gathering for the horses. Like they are standing there telling each other what their kids (colts) have been up to and where they are living now and how they renovated their stall and what not.
...but, I have to admit it does sound like a great time :)
Have you thawed out yet after that ride???
many hugs from me...

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Funny post...looks like a good time! A sleigh ride {without the near death experience} is on my bucket list!

camp and cottage living said...

Wendy
It does sound like a Little House on the Prairie experience! Except I bet they didn't have those wonderful 5* facilities though.
It does look like it was a lot of fun!

Deserae said...

Sounds like a fun way to spend a winder day....I have to say those black and white mules are beautiful!!!! I have never seen any like that before! Have a great weekend :o)
~Des

jeanne, backyard neighbor said...

Hi Wendy, I just re-read your post and felt like I was on a sleigh ride without the cold. You gotta love that. I got a kick out of the kids being pulled in their little whatever they were. HA! The best part about your posts is they are re-readable and always fun all over again. Since I was a farm girl turned city girl and then mountain girl I think I am pretty well rounded too.

The snow pretty well melted today. I'm glad for that but it is still cold at night. I have spring clean up to do around here. I'm getting our yard and shrubs all looking pretty for April. Lots of company coming to town. Notice I said "I" have clean up to do. Bill is not a yard man. His responsibility ends with the riding mower. I trimmed my roses and Russian heather. It smells and looks like lavender. It gets real big in the summer and in the early spring it needs to be trimmed. We had a day of 60 degree weather on Monday and then on Weds. all wind and snow with cold temps broke loose. Next week it will be in the 60's again. YAY!

I am wishing you Spring. Does in come in June?
Love, Jeanne

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh Wendy, I am pleasantly pooped along with ya! YOU took me on a fun journey that quite frankly, I would love to experience! I can't get over the potato chip bag! The horses act kinda funny at the slightest thing! "HELLS BELLS".....teeheee....I can just hear ya.....teeeeheeee

WOW. It isn't until we get outside of our head, ourselves, our attitudes that we can really FEEL the fun. It was a bumpy ride for ya, but you did it, and came out smiling on the other side.

You are awesome. Your delightful anecdote here spun into a fun and wild poem. Thank you. LOVED THOSE SPOTTED MULES! And the handlebar mustaches; see, the poetry begins in the details. Thanks for stopping by sweet gal! Anita