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Patriotic Horses at the County Fair

August 10, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Patriotic Horse Stole My Heart

The social event of the year in many rural communities is the county fair and in Cass County Nebraska this is no exception. Saturday night at the horse arena is the 4-H Horse fun event which includes a costume contest, ribbon ride, egg and spoon, and sit-a-buck. This painted patriotic horse was my favorite horse of the night and I had to get more of their story.

Patriotic Horse
Meet Willy the Red, White, and Blue patriotic horse

So meet Willy, the Red, White, and Blue horse and his little owner Courtney. This is what 4-H, friends, family, and the fair is all about, fun, smiles and horsing around, literally. According to her Mom, Micki, Courtney couldn’t decide how to decorate Willy for the costume contest, Pegasus was the first idea, but the thought of trying to create wings and attach them to the horse was just too challenging.

Tail Tamers PPNTS-TURQ Pony Paints Grooming Chalk for Horses, TurquoiseJacks Twinkle Mane & Tail Glitter Gel 4 oz Tube Horse Paint Parade Costume Paint Fun Color Sparkles (Pink)

Patriotic Horse Costume
A girl and her horse (photo by Mom)

Courtney’s Dad was in the Air Force, and still works at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue Nebraska, so when her Mom saw this idea on line Courtney was very excited. Her friend didn’t have a horse to decorate so they went together as a team, one painted the stars and the other the red and white stripes.

God Bless America
God Bless America

They decided the opposite side should say “God Bless America” and tie red, white, and blue ribbons in WIlly’s mane and tail.  The red leg wraps gave the whole presentation a patriotic “pop” and although they didn’t win, they turned some heads and made more than a few people smile.

American Flag Star Equine Body BlingDerby Originals Nylon Patriotic Horse Headstall & Breast Collar Set Full Size

These girls have quite a number of years showing ahead and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next year. Fun night is held the last night of the fair after all the “serious” show competitions and events. It’s time to unwind and have some fun. Thank you Micki for texting me pictures from earlier in the evening. By the time I got to the arena Willy’s paint was starting to rub off from the saddle and reins. Patriotic Horse I love watching the 4-H horse kids. I was a horse crazy when I was a kid and rode my bike into the country just to look at horses. Even though I didn’t own a horse, I joined 4-H and “borrowed” horses from club members, my first was a Quarter horse mare, Wimpy’s Kelly. I entered a few shows, but never really learned to “ride” and get a “seat” until college when a friend and I exercised roping horses at the local stable one summer.

The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the HerdRiding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses

Riding 3-4 horses a day taught you more in one day than a months worth of lessons. We even borrowed a cowboys horses an brought them to school one semester. When I became an adult and bought an acreage buying a horse was the first thing I did, her name was Tomcat Pat and she was a feisty energetic barrel and poles horse that loved to go trail riding. I was lucky enough to have her until she died at age 32, wish she were still around.

Patriotic Horse Costume Ideas and Resources

The Patriotic Horse – Stayton (Oregon) Daily Photo

Patriotic horse is patriotic. Or it’s just a coincidence it’s standing next to an American flag. Or is it? Yes, it is. Or not. This photo was taken along Sublimity Rd. SE, just outside of nearby Sublimity. In other news… Tomorrow is the …

Patriotic Horse Wear | Velvet Rider

Patriotic Horse Wear. July 3, 2014. Bookmark and Share. In honor of Independence Day, I decided to do a post on equestrian gear that celebrates our patriotism. There are options from subtle red, white, and blue to obvious flag references.

Patriotic Plume Browbands, Saddle Blankets and Rein Covers

WishPony.com to order your patriotic horse costume today! If placing custom orders for 4th of July (2011): Order by 5PM PST Wednesday June 15, 2011 for Standard Service Time and delivery by Saturday, July 2, 2011.

 

Filed Under: Small Town Living Tagged With: 4-H, animals, country, county fair, equine, horse show, Horses, kids, Nebraska, patriotic, patriotic horse, pony

Can You Have A Perfect Mother’s Day?

May 4, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Happy Mothers DayStop Wishing for the Perfect Mothers Day

If you are starting to think about Mother’s Day for your Mom, or if you are a Mother anticipating the upcoming Mothers Day stop wishing for a perfect Mother’s Day.

Yes, I said it. Now that I look back on the past years I wish I hadn’t expected perfection.

Too many times as Moms we expect too much from ourselves, and if you’re like me you sometimes expect too much out of the day. I know I always wanted Mothers Day to be special.

Different somehow, maybe even magical. As if every problem will be solved, every worry will go away and I will experience an overabundance or love and appreciation of being a Mom.

Popular media and culture promote Mother’s day as a special day, just for Moms.

We are supposed to be pampered for the day, without anything to do, and be lavished with attention, gifts, and love.

Mom Mothers Day Gift

If we don’t get it then the day is somehow a failure, or maybe we are failures as a Mother. Wrong.

I would like to say I’ve succeeded as a Mother, that I have the perfect family, the perfect kids, and I know the perfect thing to say at the perfect time. I don’t. I have yelled, I have said things I wish I could take back, and I am far from perfect. My kids aren’t perfect either, I’m sure they wish they could do things over again also.

So why do I expect Mother’s Day to be perfect? I shouldn’t, and neither should you.

How I Have a Perfect Mother’s Day

Recently I was going through my computer files and looking at the photos from May. As I look back, I saw examples of how much my kids do care and it made me remember the handmade cards, flowers, Mother’s necklace and the very thoughtful ways they decided to thank me and wish me a Happy Mothers Day.

My daughter gave me the silk flowers last year along with the book below. Not only did she carefully select the book 1,003 Great Things about Moms Book, but she went through the book and underlined specific phrases that were applicable to me, it made me laugh, because yes. I am the Mom who buys Chapstick at Christmas and yes, they are in every room, or so it seems.

Mothers Day Book

My oldest son, during some tumultuous years in high school, gave me this Willow Tree Mother and Son figurine and it still brings a tear to my eye this many years later.

Mother and Son Willow Tree figurine made it a perfect Mothers Day

So what makes a perfect Mother’s day?

Do you, or should you measure your self-worth through your children? No.

As a Mother, we can only do our job the best way we know how, with the skills we have been given via our parents, or life lessons we have learned along the way.

My kids are adults now and two of the three are living on their own away from home. I have done my best to raise them, love them, and teach them how to make presents special and unique. It’s up to them now.  I am proud of them, and if they don’t live up to MY expectations, that ok, because they shouldn’t. I love them unconditionally and I know they love me.

Flowers on Mothers Day

It’s the little things they do on Mother’s Day, flowers don’t just appear. Flowers takes thought and time.

The flowers above were given to me when my youngest son was a senior in high school and either he or his sister had to drive to the store and pick them up, get the card and candy that went along with them.Mothers Day flowers Then they have to get up early to place them on the table before I wake up.

When my Mother was alive I lived 1500 miles away from her my adult life. As anyone will tell you, I am TERRIBLE at getting things in the mail. So when she got a Mother’s Day card early she was shocked and surprised.

But I always did send flowers, she loved flowers and teapots so I tried to get a teapot, or teacup flower arrangements, the more unique the better, and, I always called. She always took photos of her flowers and described them over the phone.

Nontraditional Mothers Day Gifts from my Kids

But Mothers Day is more than flowers, candy, etc.

You know your kids really connect with you when they give you gifts that meet a need and show your kids are actually paying attention to you during the year. The odd-looking Strutz cushions below were also a Mothers Day gift. Non-traditional, yes, but very thoughtful.

Ontel Strutz Cushioned Arch Supports, Green, 2 CountOntel Strutz Cushioned Arch Supports, Green, 2 Count

My oldest knows I have plantar fasciitis and my feet hurt. He saw these and thought they may help my feet feel better.

He bought them to give to me on Mothers Day when he was home on his Marine Corps leave. 

What if your kids don’t remember Mothers Day?

Have they failed you or have you failed them? No.

You should still celebrate Mother’s Day on your own, do something special for yourself, to make yourself happy.

You are responsible for your own happiness. Yes, it’s nice to get breakfast in bed, if that’s your thing. Or get taken out to dinner, if you want to fight the crowds that day.  But it’s also a “moment” with you yours that may only last a few minutes that day.

Or you might spend your Mothers Day by yourself reflecting back on your time as a Mother. You can look through family photo albums, read a good book, taking a rest, and pamper yourself.

I do agree that you should NOT have to do chores (unless you REALLY want to), dishes, or laundry. Take a break and have the perfect Mother’s Day yourself. You deserve it.

Moms Pamper Yourself

Golden State Fruit 12 Mother's Day Love Berries Chocolate Covered StrawberriesGolden State Fruit 12 Mother’s Day Love Berries Chocolate Covered StrawberriesThisWear Mothers Day Gifts for Mom Best Mom Ever Wood Heart Keychain Key Tag Mom GiftsThisWear Mothers Day Gifts for Mom Best Mom Ever Wood Heart Keychain Key Tag Mom GiftsStpower Mothers Jewelry Engraved Words Stainless Steel Cuff Bracelet Perfect Gift for Mom (The Love Between a Mother and Daughter is Forever)Stpower Mothers Jewelry Engraved Words Stainless Steel Cuff Bracelet Perfect Gift for Mom (The Love Between a Mother and Daughter is Forever)♥ mothers day gifts ♥ KINREX Tea & Coffee Mug - Best Mom Ever - 12oz - Gifts for Mom, Women and Ladies♥ mothers day gifts ♥ KINREX Tea & Coffee Mug – Best Mom Ever – 12oz – Gifts for Mom, Women and LadiesAmazing Woman Mug And Coaster/Lid - Ceramic - Large 14 Ounce Coffee Or Tea Cup - Dusky PurpleAmazing Woman Mug And Coaster/Lid – Ceramic – Large 14 Ounce Coffee Or Tea Cup – Dusky PurpleViverano 100% Organic Cotton Spa Bath Robe Kimono, Super Soft Luxurious Lightweight Non-Toxic Eco-Friendly Hypoallergenic (L/XL, White)Viverano 100% Organic Cotton Spa Bath Robe Kimono, Super Soft Luxurious Lightweight Non-Toxic Eco-Friendly Hypoallergenic (L/XL, White)Sweese 2111 Porcelain Tea Mug with Infuser and Lid - You Are My Cup of Tea, 15 OZ, Mint GreenSweese 2111 Porcelain Tea Mug with Infuser and Lid – You Are My Cup of Tea, 15 OZ, Mint GreenAdagio Teas 10087 Porcelain Mug with Infuser, 12 oz, PlumAdagio Teas 10087 Porcelain Mug with Infuser, 12 oz, Plum

How are you planning on pampering yourself on Mothers Day?

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: expectations, Holiday, kids, Mom, Mother, mother's day gifts, Mothers Day, parenting, perfect mother s day

Silent Sunday #15

October 21, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

High School Laughter

Silent Sunday

Filed Under: Small Town Living Tagged With: high school, kids, night photography, Silent Sunday, teenagers

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