Mekelle

Still Alive and Kicking

2010-08-10T07:12:00.010-06:00

I figured I'd update the blog, and make my mom happy at the same time. I've actually been trying to do so for a long time, but can never find the chance to get to it... Well until now. Thanks to advances in cellphones, I can do it on my way to work. Although, I will have to use the computer any time I have any pictures to post. I've got tons since the last time you heard from me.
Anyway, here's the 411 on my life right now, well the short version since my ride to work isn't long enough for me to go into full and complete update detail. I'm living up here in the SLC, UT. area, Holladay to be exact, and absolutely loving it. I have 3 room mates, who are trying to rub a little of the dirt off my face, and turn my tomboy 'lets go hang off the side of a cliff' tendencies towards fashion and heels, hair and make-up. Ha ha Their losing by the way! No really, I have some great room mates!
I'm currently working at a cafe, steakhouse and private club called Totum's on redwood road and 538 South. Its been interesting to say the least, being an LDS bartender/waitress, but I've had so many compliments from the regulars, on how refreshing it is to have me working there, and that hiring me was one of the best things Totum's has ever done. I have my parents and the high standards they raised me with to thank for that. I've never really appreciated that more, then I do now that I'm out living on my own. I've really become more aware of the gospel and how much it has come toeffect myself and others around me. However, I'm still that wild, rebellious, and "determined to win every argument thrown my way" person that I'll always be.
Anyway, I really enjoy living up north, even though I'm carless and taking the bus to work and back. I'm definitely getting to know the trax and bus systems really well, and the variety of people that take them a little to well. I can usually count on seeing something new on a weekly bases, and I've really become quite well at hiding the look of shock and the way my eyes tend to jump out of their sockets much like the cartoons when I'm truly thrown through the loop by something or someone. Its definitely one of those experiences I'll never forget.

Winter Games

2009-11-25T12:40:00.002-07:00

Idaho Spuds

2009-11-25T12:29:00.010-07:00

Under the Sun w/Friends

2009-11-25T11:47:00.005-07:00

Sand Hollow 2nd Jump

2009-06-01T15:01:00.003-06:00

Sand hollow

2009-06-01T14:59:00.001-06:00

Sand hollow

2009-05-30T20:47:00.005-06:00

Telling My Best Friend Goodbye

2008-12-29T01:13:00.011-07:00

I've had bad days, and I've had a bad week. However, this is the first time I think I can honestly say I've had an awful month! I've gotten use to saying bye to people in the last couple years. Friends that move away because of jobs, family or a need for change. I realize its one the hardest things I ever had to do, was to say goodbye to my best friend for the past 8 years, and know its the last thing I'm going to be able to say to her.
Unfortunately, I had no choice in the matter, and had to put Royale down when she got colic, and later on a twisted gut. You always hear people telling someone, when someone dies they've moved onto a better place (ya'da ya'da ya'da... not to sound bitter or anything, but I hate that saying!!!). When you lose someone that means that much to you, the last thing you want to hear is they've moved onto a better place. I know deep down, that Royale had. She was in pain and there was nothing that could be done, but when it hurts just as much to let her go, that's one of the last things you want to hear. Because at the time, and for many months to come, I'm going to think that the best place for her, would be still here with me.
Its even harder to know, that the only reason she stayed on as long as did, was for me, because I had asked it of her. I remember the look on Craig's face, and his surprise when he came, that she was still on her feet. He told me, that he had never seen a horse as far gone as Royale, still standing, or even alive at the point Royale was. I've been told by a several friends, that she and I were well matched in our stubbornness, but at the end she beat me. Despite the pain she was in, and how tired she was, she fought to stay with me, because she knew how hard it was for me to let her go. I'll always remember the last few minutes that she was with me, and trusting me, rested her head in my lap, and I helped her let go.
I miss her so much, and despite all the great times and memories I'll have of her. Its hard knowing that there won't be anymore.

Cooling off

2008-11-22T09:10:00.025-07:00

There hasn't been a whole lot going on lately. It seems like the colder it gets, the less people want to do, and since I love doing things outside, there has been even less of that going on. I'm seriously starting to miss the summer, the heat, and not to mention the extra hours of daylight that comes with summer.

Well, lets see, things that I've done since my last post. Well, I recently bought an old vintage ladies cruiser bicycle a month or so ago, and with Brian's help, I've been trying to restore it again. Its been a blast working on it. I love doing hands on things, especially working on the cars, which I use to do a lot with Steve before he left, and do a little bit with Brian. Anyway, I've finally come to the point that I've removed all the old paint and rust, and finally taken it completely apart. This last two weeks, I've been working at getting it primed and ready to paint. I want this bike to have a nice soft, 50's - 60's look, so when I chose the colors, I kept that in mind and went with a light 'ballet slipper' pink, and as an accent, I'm using a sea breeze blue. I'm just about done with doing, the first couple coats, and will be moving onto the pinstripe this next week. I'm totally excited about it!!

I'm now in the College 4TH ward, having decided to move out of the parents ward after I don't know how many years. I'm glad I started going to this ward also. I haven't really liked going to church, because I usually don't know a whole lot of people there, but that's not the case here. My ward bishop is, Bishop Winch, who I'm getting to know really well, and really enjoying him as my Bishop. Before I got to know him, I always thought he was kind of intimidating, but I've found out that he's really a funny guy, very friendly and understanding, and very easy to talk to. My Counselors are: 1st Counselor, Brother Mel Wittwer (HA HA!! No joke! My boss at work is my counselor at church.), 2ND Counselor, Brother Oliver (From the parents home ward.). I've been getting these two brother's very well, also. Both of them are pretty awesome people, and each has their own hilarious sense of humor!!

Anyway, we recently had a Ward BBQ last Saturday, which was a lot of fun. We had tons of people from the ward show up, and got a game of ultimate (Can't have a BBQ or simply go to the park without playing it.) going before and after we had burgers and hot dogs, which Brother Oliver grilled up for us. We also played football, which isn't worth mentioning a whole lot, cuz I really stink at it (I keep trying to throw it like a softball... Which really doesn't work really well.), but yea gotta play a little bit, if just so you can play with the boys!!!

After the BBQ, we moved the party, up to Dixie Red Rock, up on the Red Hill. There, I got to put my pyro expertise to work, and build us one wicked campfire if I do say so myself (And I do!!). We had a blast, it wasn't to cold yet, and we had Josh Wittwer, and one other person sitting and playing the guitar for us, while we all talked and made s'mores (Seriously, these things have got to be one of the messiest things in the world!! But oh so good, and worth it!!!).

Maggie, who had driven down the night before, even decided to come up and join us. I loved it, and seriously have missed having that kid around. Overall, the weekend was pretty dang fun!!!

Grand Junction Roadtrip

2008-11-18T08:33:00.022-07:00

Its a good thing I'm use to get getting by with and functioning on only a couple hours of sleep. Anyway, what got the ball rolling, was Steve. I got a call from him, saying he would be coming this way from Nebraska with his college football and cheer leading team, and would be in Grand Junction for two days, on the weekend of Halloween. I spoke with Heather and Lisa, who were also making plans to go down and visit him. So, we made plans to drive out early Saturday morning, so that we could make into Grand Junction in time to watch the Football game, and then afterwards kidnap Steve and go goof off afterwards.

Well, before this I had promised to switch my Thursday Night shift with another co worker's Friday night shift so he could go to a Halloween party. Which was fine, because that meant I was able to go to one of my own (White Trash Bash), Thursday night. What this meant, however is that, now I was going to be working from 3PM on Friday until 7AM Saturday morning. So, I was going to be pulling a 16 hour shift then I would be driving directly from there (Because I had already packed and had everything with me, and drive up to Cedar to pickup Heather and Lisa before heading out to Grand Junction, which would be about a 5 hour drive from there (Yippee, right!?!).Anyway, I get to Cedar and we get everything packed and ready to go, and I decide to have Heather drive while I get a little sleep (See I'm not as dumb as I look..... Well most of the time anyway.). So we take off, out on the road and I layed down in the back to take a nap. Well, I must have been dead to the world, because I slept right through most of the drive (all but a little more then a 100 miles from Grand Junction), and trigger happy Heather, convinced Lisa to take multiple pictures of my passed out on the back seat.

We pulled stopped in Green River, where I then took over the driving, and after taking a quick bathroom break and to grab a snack, we headed back out onto the road. At one point, Heather and Lisa were laughing at me, because I was road raging at some moron, who proceeded to cut me off several times until I got sick of him and left him in my dust (We'll just pretend he was driving really slow too when I passed him.)We were all pretty excited about seeing Steve, and the closer we got to Grand Junction, the goofier we seemed to get. However, I think Heather had Lisa and I both beat. She probably would have been bouncing in and out of her seat the rest of the way there if I hadn't enforced the seat belt rule, (Its thing I took over the driving!!) It was fun though. Anyway, all three of us were having a blast singing to the radio, and basically being dorks while we ruined many country songs, and tried to beat each other in Star burst War (Trying to see who could make their tongue the darkest... Which I got ripped on because I was driving, so there was no way I could keep up with them!!!).

We pulled into Grand Junction around 12:30 in the afternoon, and drove directly to the Game (Which took longer then it should have, cuz Lisa and I listened to Heather when we should have turned at one point... She later, got demoted to the parking stub (basically in charge of remembering where we parked) by 2 to 1 vote by Lisa and I.). We had a blast at the game! Steve ran around in his Eagle costume, doing tricks and messing with the audience (You'd be surprised how much a mascot can get away with doing!!). At one point, Steve ran into the crowd, grabbed a lady's hand and using them, started playing the bongo drums on her husband's very bald head. Meanwhile, we proceeded to purposely annoy Steve's cheer leading squad with our cheering and yelling (Its pretty sad when 3 girls can cheer louder then a squad of 13, though we had a ton of fun doing it!!! ). To make things even better, Mesa State lost to Nebraska 13 vs. 26, which was awesome!!!

We left the Stadium to go grab some food, while Steve went back to his hotel to change and shower before we drove over to pick him up, since he had been given permission earlier to go out and spend the rest of the night with us. However, about this time, lack of sleep was catching up to all of us, and decided to just hangout at Dicky's mom's place (Matt Dicky is Lisa's friend and let us crash at his parent's place). It was nice, to relax and talk with Steve after he'd been gone for so long. I've missed him tons!! Half the fun though, was doing some swing dance moves with him again, which took a little bit of time cuz Steve had become quite rusty when it came to the more extreme moves. I jokingly informed him of such, which he proceeded to do the same, and let me know that I had become noticeably more coordinated since we had danced last. Afterwards, we lounged out on the couches and watched movies while stuffing ourselves with pizza, and then fresh baked cookies (Dicky's mom is totally awesome!!), before calling it a night after taking Steve back to his hotel.

Sunday morning, we woke up and got ready for the day, before heading over and enjoying breakfast with Steve at the overpriced restaurant there at his hotel (Gahhh!! I'm still bitter about it!!!). We then said our goodbyes to Steve, so he could catch his train ride back to Nebraska before heading home ourselves (Despite the fact that I tried really hard to convince him I could pack him up and hide him in my trunk, and just take him home with me.).

All in all, the trip was tons of fun, and totally worth the drive just to see Steve, if only for the short time that we did. I wish we all could have stayed longer though, but I'll take what I can get.

White Trash Halloween Bash Pics

2008-11-05T18:31:00.003-07:00

White Trash Halloween Bash

2008-11-04T07:15:00.003-07:00

Update on the happenings of this past week. So, I've recently met and become pretty good friends with several people that I've met through Brian, mainly those that you can see me riding the cruiser bicycles with, but Shaylee being a big one. Its a little odd to find myself actually enjoying hanging out with a bunch of girls, because if anyone knows me well enough, then they know their more likely to find me hanging out with 2 - 6 guys, and usually with myself being the only girl in the group (What can I say, I'm a Cornwell and we seem to have a knack with being the guy in a group of girls (David as a perfect example) or in my case the opposite.)
Anyway, as I was saying, I've been getting to be pretty good friends with a girl by the name of Shaylee, but she decided to have a Halloween party on Thursday (Simply because I couldn't make it Friday night since I was having the joy of pulling a double from 3 pm to 7 am the following morning.) It was probably the most hilarious party I've ever been to. The theme of her party this year was "White Trailer Trash Halloween Bash". Well growing up in St. George and all, I really didn't have a clue exactly what that really looked like, and luckily Brian is very knowledgeable in that area, and proceeded to educate me. Basically, think jeans (cutoffs or overalls), bandanna is a must, boots, buckle, and if you aren't missing at least one tooth, then your not true trailer trash. Once, I was educated, I proceeded to put my costume together. However I gave mine a little twist. Rather then really grunging up like everyone else (though I still had the bandanna, and cutoff jeans and I was also sporting my Tri-County cow tipping t-shirt), I purposely tried to make myself look really good (which didn't take much, cuz I'm just oh so hot!! j/k).
Anyway, now sporting my trailer trash costume, I headed over to Shaylee's place at rain tree, and walked into the party. The first comment I got (Brian) was that I didn't look trailer trash at all, but more redneck. That is until I gave everyone a big grin. I had proceeded to black out 3 of my upper teeth and 2 on my lower with mascara (waterproof I may add). It was awesome. The look on everyone's faces were priceless, and Brian, Heber, and Shaylee all started to bust up laughing. I officially got the award for the best costume, because according to Brian, I had the only true trailer trash costume on. He jokes around that the reason he left home and came out here was because for once he'd like to meet a good-looking girl who smiled and still had all of her teeth, and back home they were few and far in between.
The party was a blast, and later on once everyone but a few of us (the close friends) remained we proceeded to start busting out the dance moves. I still haven't decided what we were on, maybe it the late hour, or someone slipped something into the drinks, but we were all busting out 70's -late 90's dance moves, that honestly should have stayed there (I'll post the video's and pictures later on today so you can truly see what I mean). It was great, and probably one of the best parties I've been to in a long time. I can't wait until next year!!

Update

2008-10-31T22:43:00.011-06:00

These first two pictures are of Brian and I. It was a blast, and the pictures turned out pretty good considering we took them with a disposable. Where we're riding is this hidden strip of land between house and the Sand Hollow Pool. I was totally surprised at how cool the ride turned out, we literally found a strip of paradise right in the middle of town!!

The next group of pictures were of a bunch of friends and I eating breakfast at a local diner in town after riding our old cruiser bicycles. It was pretty awesome!! We had so many people stop and check out our bikes, and comment on how cool they were.

The last set of pictures are of Todd and I out on a date. He's a jeep guide, and takes tourists out regularly on 4 wheelers and jeep rides through the sand dunes and mountains around Sand Hollow. Anyway, we went out on a jeep climb which lasted for about 2 hours and was a ton of fun, before he then took me out to dinner and a local steakhouse there in Hurricane. I had a blast, the weather was awesome, and as you can tell the scenery was gorgeous!!

I'm alive... !!!

2008-10-31T22:25:00.006-06:00

After great pestering from mom and the rest of the family, I decided to update my blog. So in answer to everybody, Yes, I am still alive!! Been having fun and living life. I'm actually pulling a double here at the hotel, fun right? But not too bad, because afterwards I'm heading out with friends, to go meet the all time stud of my life, Steve!! I love that kid, and miss him tons. Its just not the same to cause trouble alone... Probably because I usually get caught, and Steve's not around for me to pin whatever crime I just committed on him. I'm totally excited!! I also went to a fun party last night with a bumch of friends, and I'll post the pictures in a couple days. It was great!! It was a White Trash Halloween Party, and I looked awesome, the best part was when people started to say I looked more redneck then white trash, in answer, I just gave them a big grin... My black gapped teeth (Mascara works great!!) said it all!!

Update pictures of Doc

2008-07-26T16:17:00.006-06:00

Coyote's Royale Doc
@ 4 months old

Update on Mekelle's World

2008-07-11T05:51:00.006-06:00

So, here's the spill on my life's happenings since May 12, which is sad to say the last time I posted anything. Anyway, summer has finally come, and I'm definitely living it up, and loving it. As a lot of people know, I met a really cute guy!! And what mom has liked to point out to me, and everyone else, I actually have pretty well fallen for him. Just don't tell him that, cuz he's already got a swelled head when it comes to me. But I guess what tipped Mom off, even before I probably knew or even was sure about, was the fact that I supposedly held hands, snuggled, and in general loved on him out in public, which according to her, is something I've never, ever done before with any of the guys I've dated or been friends with. Who knows? What can I say but its totally true, can't help the fact that I like to keep my feelings to myself... I guess though it just took me finding the right guy.

Anyway, I met him, when I decided to start going back to playing Ultimate Frisbee again. I do have to say, that has been totally awesome. I've really been loving that a ton. But somehow, he convinced me to go climbing afterward, over at the college campus climbing wall. That in itself, is a major shocker. Not only was I exhausted by playing a very long game of Ultimate for 2 hours in a freak storm, but I also had to be up at 5 AM for work the next morning, and I was still agreeing to go out and kill myself a little more by going climbing.

Well, as most of the family knows by now. I'm now hook line and sinker for the guy. He's started showing me the ropes when it came to climbing, (which I turn out to love and he's so so on) as well as showing me bouldering, which is climbing without a rope and a whole heck of a lot harder (which he loves, and I'm so so on, probably because I get my butt kicked hard from it!!). He has also gone about in showing me the correct way to skim board, which until then, I had no clue about. But because of his help in that department, I can now actually stay on the board longer then 5 seconds, and doesn't usually end with me doing a nose dive with the board, a face plant with none other then me eating virgin river water and who knows what else, and my head buried in the sand.

Brian's is currently living in St. George, which works out great for me!! He's really an awesome guy. I know if I didn't think he was just, oh so fine, and easy to get along with, I would have had just as much fun being really good friends with him. But I decided to go the with the upgrade, which I'm really glad I did, because not only do I get to have him a friend, but I get all the benefits of going out with him too. Which happens to be a very good thing, because he's a dang fine kisser, and a hot taughty with a naughty body!! (Don't judge me. I heard that one from Elisa, so look at her. It just fits Brian to a T!!!) Anyway, he has this serious mad skill when it comes taking a bunch of old rusted items, that no one else wants and turning them into just.... Awesome!! He's got an old Jeep of his, that I found out later on, he literally built from scratch. I can't even imagine doing something like that. He's got some serious knack and skill in just about anything that involves using his hands!! He also has a love for taking old, 40's - 90's bicycles and fully restoring and sleeking them out to be these totally wicked bikes. They are freaking awesome, and I'll have to find some pictures to show you.

Anyway, that's only a small amount of info on Brian, and I'll let you know more later on when I can get another chance to get online again.

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-05-12T13:07:00.001-06:00

Here's the 411...

2008-05-12T09:34:00.001-06:00

So you'd think with us being in May, we would be seeing some heat come in, and in we have in someways, but alot of the time we have some really cool and windy days. I'm really getting frustrated while I wait for the nice days and nights to make an appearance. The really big frustration, and its typical for St. George, but its driving me mad, is the wind. The wind makes it really difficult to throw a saddle on Royale and go riding, or if I decide to go out and play Ultimate Frisbey with my friends. Its really hard to catch a frisbey if your trying to catch it off the wind, if I were playing against the wind, I'd totally be the loser. Plus, we all know how much I hate not winning, especially in an arguement.

I've started to take up a new activity, rock climbing. I've done it several times and have always enjoyed doing it, as well as recieving the exercise that goes with it, but I'm going to really give it a try this summer with a couple of my friends. I went out and got my own shoes and harness, so I'm ready to get started this week. I'll let you know how it goes.

Well, Marlena has been down this past two weeks, and its been a blast having her. I took her dancing at the Electric theater twice, and it seemed liked she really had fun. She's been here checking things out, and looking for a job. She's planning on moving over and living with Natalie and Jed, while going to college. I'm totally excited. It'll be fun having her here.

I also took her horseback riding again, but unfortunately I forgot to take my camera to take pictures. But that was fun, and it was the first time I had put a saddle on Royale since she had her colt. Surprisingly, it went really well and uneventful. However, we did get in trouble twice: First, some old guy that was on a powertrip, I told him to back off because we weren't riding on his land, but on Uncle Andy's, and it was true. I later found out, he was mad because mainly at Cameron, who had been riding four wheelers with his friends for the past hour. The second time, was from a guy who was developing some land, and he really didn't mind us riding there, its the four wheelers he hates because they tear up the dirt roads and lots he's just had done, so it was because of Cameron again.

Royale did really well though, I have to be proud of that. She listened and cooperated with me despite the amount of time between her then and the last time I rode her. Plus, Doc did awesome. He stuck really close to Royale and I, and I never once had to worry about him running out infront of any vehicles or any such thing. Although, by the time we did get back to the stalls, we had a pretty tuckered out baby. He was definately happy to be back, though the ride was really good for him.

I still can't believe how big he's starting to get though. He was a big baby, at least I thought he was, and he's only getting bigger. He's definiately going to change colors though, he's got the tell tale dark rings about his eyes that tell us he's going to go gray, whether he stays that color, I don't know. We'll just have to wait and see what he goes, but he's really filling out well, even Dad has said so. He's going to be a good looking horse, and he's already a good looking little colt with a mischievious nature. You only have to look at him in his pictures to know he's definately Royale and Coyote's son. He looks like he's has a bit of both of their personalities, and its just fun to watch how he gets a little bit of his own the older he gets.

Dreaded Finals!!!

2008-04-29T01:26:00.003-06:00

Well as most of the family knows, I have been taking a ballroom dancing class from the college. I finally took my written final today, though I'm not sure I did really well. I kinda had a difficult time remembering to study this weekend, probably because I had the best worst distraction in the world: The Family!! I'm not complaining, because I totally loved having the family down. I'm just one of the world's best procrastinators. I've learned to put things of like the best of them. Oh Well!
I've actually thought about taking the class over again anyway. I didn't like how I did on my dance final. I totally bombed the quick step, and I know I could have done better! I'll have to wait and see what my final grade turns out to be before I make my final decision.

2008-04-08T12:06:00.006-06:00

Catch up...

2008-04-06T21:19:00.011-06:00

Well, things around the house have quieted down since the last time I posted. We had Rachel and Brynna down for two weeks, and that was great!! It was a little weird however, when they went home with Brandon.
It was fun being able to come home from work, or class and be greeted by something other then an empty house. Brynna sure isn't shy about throwing her grins around the house. Didn't matter how sick she got, she still gave you a smile that just made you grin from ear to ear. What can I say, she has me, hook line and sinker. I did learn though, how to get that little girl laughing. She's like me, she loves to be scared. You sneak up on her, and say boo!! She jumps a mile high, and then starts laughing. Its awesome!! I miss that kid.
Well, since then we've had some incidents. Jazz had a really close call. As alot of you know, we had finally found the reason for her skin issue. She was hypothyroid, and because of it she had a big skin infection. Well, we took her to the vet, and had her check out and placed on two pill, one a thyroid pill and the other an antibiotic to clear up her skin infection.
However, all of a sudden as of last Friday, she decided to quit eating and mom found a massive hard lump under her jaw. I took her to the vet once again, on Tuesday, and decided if she didn't improve two day after the vet put her on his strongest dose of antibiotic he had, then we'de put her down rather then make her suffer. Keeping our fingers crossed, and crushed her pills so I could force them to her the first night through a syringe, and hoped she would do better. The following morning she looked a little better, and we kept hoping it was a good sign. It was really hard knowing what the outcome would be if she didn't show in sign of improving.
Now, almost a week has gone by, and she looks awesome. She lost about 2 lbs, but is quickly putting it back on. She even greets you know with a big wag of her tail, which she hasn't done in months. But whats even better, her skin has cleared up almost completely and is simply getting better with each day. She has also started to grow a thick coat of fur again, and one that is extremely and surprisingly soft, and she no longer smells, well other then the fact that she smells like a dog again rather then what she did before. Lets hope she just continues to do better, and she puts some weight back on. However, we never did figure out what the lump was, the vet said her teeth looked great and even he wasn't sure of what it was.
Now, to let you know about Coyote's Royale Doc, a.k.a. Doc. Both Royale, and he are doing extremely well. Doc's starting to even eat hay at only two weeks old. He is also loves to run around, and give his mother a heart attack. He is the most curious little thing, always checking out everything he walks past. Dad and I have also started getting him use to a halter and lead. He wasn't happy the first time I caught him. I'm not sure what he hated more, being forced to stay put, or not being able to check Dad and I out cuz he was too busy trying to get free. However, he's doing really well. Dad and I are hoping he turns out well and learns quick, we're hoping that maybe between the two of us, we can get him ready and show him in a halter show this coming winter. It'll be the first halter show I've done since 4H, and for Dad since he sold the two fillies that won first and second in state.

2008-03-11T09:33:00.002-06:00

87 words

Speed test

Their Killing Me!!!...

2008-03-04T06:38:00.004-07:00

So get this, we have two Mares this year that are pregnant, and with only about five days distance between the both of them. The distance between them is still accurate, however, is just that everything else is taking its sweet time. Or rather, these babies know just how sweet a ride they have at the moment, and aren't quite ready to give it up. I can't say that I totally blame them. I mean look at me, still living at home at 23. Oh well!! At least I can say I severed the umbilical cord a long time ago. Mom can agree to that one, simply because of all the stress I put her through. Though, honestly, I can't figure out how my older sisters did it so quickly. I'm already homesick and I'm still living at home. Its the whole thinking ahead and stressing myself out before hand that really gets me going. (That I must say I'm really good at, that and driving Dad nuts with my questions about the horses. What can I say?My only defence is that the without questions I've asked over the years, I wouldn't know 1/2 of what I do about horses. Obnoxious as I can be with them, (Sorry dad!!) I will always ask a 101 questions just so I can learn even just an ounce more.)

Anyway, back to the mares. Tess was officially a week over her due day yesterday, and Royale will be a week over this upcoming Thursday. However, happy to say that they've been both bagging up and we should see a colt within a week or so. Hopefully, a week being the latest. I don't think I can stand the excitement if they go further then that. Tess started bagging up about 2 weeks ago, and Royale was about 1 1/2 weeks. The distance between them as you can see is about accurate, and at least their both consistent.

My biggest worry is Tess. She had to have one baby manually pulled once before. I don't know if at the time she was late, but I do remember she had a very big baby. However, those who know her, Sassy is still a very large mare. Gorgeous, but linebacker huge, and the Stallion (Coy), who foaled her wasn't a big boy. To be honest, he was quite small. You simply have to ask Dad someone of the funny things he had to do to help Coy sometimes when it came to breeding him. I have to admit though, Coy knew how to throw good looking and very calm intelligent foals (I might be a little bias since Royale is Coy's as well, but both Sassy and Royale always seem to be able to keep their heads' in the right place when other horses have gone nuts.).

Now, the reason I worry about Tess is the fact that she's never been a big horse. Her babies always seem to take up half of her weight, and she never really starts showing a pregnant belly until her 2nd or last month. The foal she is having this time, will be a full sibling to her last colt (Windy), and their Dad (Partner, a big quarter horse racing bred stallion) is huge!!! Plus, the foal will just continue to grow with each day she doesn't have have it, no matter how small Mom might be. I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed, and trust Tess. She's not a new mom, and this baby will be her fifth.

Royale's baby could be a worrier as well, that is if the foal takes after mom in size. Royale definitely beats Coyote when it comes to size and structure. I'm not sure who Royale looks most alike, because I don't recall ever seeing the mare that foaled her. However, I've looked into Coy line, and she definitely has a lot of the build, and especially the butt that the Coy line brings, and when you have quarter horses, a big defined butt is a hot!! (Quarter Horse History: Originally they were Thoroughbred's that at the beginning were bred for a single purpose, to run the quarter mile race. They were bred away from the lean leggy Thoroughbred look, and were bred to be built heavier with a bigger hind quarter, which would enable them to sprint off the line at nearly a dead run. Quarter Horses were suppose to be able to hit their maximum speed almost seconds into the race, where the Thoroughbred needed distance to gain momentum.)

Anyway, back to the subject, if Royale's baby is like Coyote, I won't worry a whole lot. I remember Coyote even at a month old, and older, slipping beneath Tigger's belly with ease. I'm hoping though that the foal takes a little more of Royale's build and size, and a combination of both in Confirmation. Though, I would be excited if I get a hairy foal that takes after its Dad in color and mane and tail. However, the number one thing I want above all else, is two healthy active foals!!

Hah... Someone had it out for me this weekend!!

2008-02-18T23:37:00.005-07:00

So get this... I totally had every intention of having a blast this weekend. I was completely stoked!! I should have known from the minute the parents left, Wednesday afternoon, that was the just about the only think I had going my way all weekend.

There I was, minding my own buisness, its all I could do since I was the only one home. The parents had just left, and I finally had the house to myself. So, after brushing the dejavu Momma Do's and Don'ts to the back of my mind (I may as well have been doing cartwheels down the upstairs hallway (I was that excited!!)), I headed downstairs to go get ready for the dancing up in Cedar City. Halfway down, I heard the pitful sound of Thumbs at the door and opened it to let her in.

Well, to make a long story short, I was the proud owner of a wet soggy thing (I'd say a ball of fluff, but at the time she was the farthest thing from fluffy, the word mop probably fit her better then a ball). Luckily for her, I recognized her. Unfortunately for me, I took one look outside and knew by the rain and the wind that I definately wasn't going dancing. Just to make me sizzle out a little more, an hour after I decided I wasn't going to risk the drive, I end up getting a call from Mom telling me in a loving motherly tone "Mekelle, your dad and I decided that we don't want you driving up to Cedar, tonight." What a great way to start off!! Parents - 1 Mekelle - 0

Well the following day, I didn't really plan much to do to begin with. I started the day getting up at 4:30 - 5:00 (I know it was an irritating shocker to me too!). I just couldn't seem to fall asleep long enough to get a good rest, so I finally got up and decided I may as well get a little workout before I had to go out for work. Suggestion for all, workouts at 5 in the morning, are a bad idea. No sane person does that!! I can guarentee to you, that I won't be doing it again!! I didn't get a workout, I just got my backend worked!! So anyway, after that nice wake up call (Take note of my extreme sarcasm here), I jumped into the shower for a much better wakeup call, and you all know me (Rub a dub dub, I don't plan on getting out of the tub... eh emm.. shower!!). After a nice 30 - 45 minute shower, I got ready for work and was out the door by 6:50 and clocked in around 6:55. Hah!! For all of you who are in doubt (Pops!!), I do know how to be into work on time, and early no less.

Thursday, was pretty well spent working. However, I did have a litte reprieve when I got to chat a bit with almost all the siblings (Rachel, you need to get the hook up or something!!). I realized what was the best thing about working at the hotel, Eddy!! He's reading the im's over my shoulder, and just about dying when out of the blue, we get into the topic of TMNT and Drunks. I can't even remember how we got there, but all of a sudden we have a party planned where Eddy is providing the Rootbeer, and Maggie's bringing the Russian Vodka to our TMNT Welcome home party for Maggie.

Now this all happened in just the first half of my day, the second half was wading through snow soaked manure (Yes, I did say snow!!). Rachel thinks her laundry increased just by having a baby. Mine doubles every time it rains and NOW (2nd time in the same month) snows here in St. George. I have to do my laundry more, reason being the fact that my room smells like the horses if I don't. Mom's even starting to threaten me with refusing to let me in the house. I get the shake down even before I hit the door. She even suggested once, that I simply strip down at the door before I come in. Not to mention the repeated reminders that the horses had to smell better then I did by the time I came walking through the door. Well, I got that part of the day over with, and went home and crashed until 10:00 before I woke up and got ready once again for work.

Now at this point, I was totally waiting to get off of work, and get ready to have some fun that weekend. But no, like I said someone was out to steal my fun. I ended up feeling miserable and sick for the entire weekend. I moved long enough to feed on Saturday, since I had Dave feed for me on Friday, before I crashed again. However, I felt great on Sunday, of course!! Oh well, I got up and got ready for church. It ended up being pretty nice. It was awesome outside, and I ended up kicking all the Boys' behinds, multiple times after the fireside that night, when we hooked up the xbox, and blasted each other off the screen in Halo and Halo 2. The boys' now know, I am a mad woman with a shotgun, and even when they think they may have got me, they learn two seconds later that I got them first when they blow up from my plasma grenade I stuck on them just before they got me "MmmWhahaha" (Thanks Stephie. I learned from the best!!).

When the Parents are away... I get to play!!

2008-02-14T07:46:00.004-07:00

Its been a couple of weeks since I updated my blog, and I decided I'd better do at least a small one. Otherwise my blog will slowly disappear.

If anyone has been paying attention to the Southern Utah weather, then you would have heard that we recieved are second freak storm that actually brought Sunny St. George, more snow. Snow for the second time in one year is rare, but to have it twice in one month with only being half way through month, is just bizare. I offically decided that I dislike snow, or rather just the clean up the comes with getting snow.

I waited almost two weeks for the grounds at the horses to dry out. By the time I got around to starting the menacing task of cleaning out horse stalls, they still weren't completely dry. I was sloshing around in different places, and it took me nearly two and a half hours just to simply clean one of the mare's (Tess's) stall. I also found out that over the winter (Which I should mention, that I absolutely despice cold weather.). So I obviously, didn't do much physical work around the horses. I ended up losing the majority of calluses on my hands, and gained blisters in the time it took me to clean just the one stall. I can't remember the last time I gave myself blisters. If my hands didn't hurt and weren't there as evidence, I still wouldn't believe it! I was also going to start working on Royale and Coyote's stalls, but now that its rained and snowed again, I'll probably be waiting another week before their dry enough to clean out. Oh well, thats the life, I guess.

Well, as of yesterday from around 4:00 on, I have the house all to myself, excluding the many animals living at home, that out number us even when Mom and Dad are home with me. Yeah! for me!! Party!! Well, maybe not until this weekend. I work until tomorrow morning, but then after I catch some sleep, I'll put my plans of fun into action. The best part about it is, I can let everyone know about it, but I really don't have to worry about Mom and Dad reading about it simply because I don't think they even know I have a blog yet. Since, it was Stephie's idea that I make one to begin with.

I'm going to have a blast! I do have to practise my Tango this Saturday with a couple of people from class. I decided to start a weekly practice session in the old gym at the college with anyone from any of the ballroom classes that wanted to come. So far there's about five or 6 of us that meet up together. This week will be the second practice that we'll have. I wanted more time to practice, because I wasn't completely sure of all the steps, and this way we all can get it together. We've so far learned the waltz, and are just about to finish up learning the Tango. I'm really starting to like the class alot.

I'm also getting pretty good at moving around in heels. I don't dare run in them yet, unlike Maggie, who I would almost bet was born in heels, if you were to go by how well she walks, runs, etc, in the things. The only bad part, I that I've noticed is that I look kinda funny when I walk in them. When I'm not paying attention, I revert back to my cowboyish boot stroll. Which is fine when I'm in my boots, no biggy. (Stephie and Rachel have both told said I walk just like Dad, which is cool in one way but sad in another. Simply because Dad's a guy and I'm a girl.) Not to mention it looks kinda goofy when I'm doing it in heels. Oh well, guess thats why my best friend Steve gave me the nickname "Suicide" rather then "Grace" instead. At least I can say and show off some quite splendid, if I do say so myself, battle scars and wounds.

Cornwell Look-alike Meter

2008-01-29T11:15:00.001-07:00

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebs - Collage - Morph

She's having a Baby

2008-01-24T16:02:00.000-07:00

Yeah for Me!! I've finally joined the whole flow of family into the blogging mainstream. Its taking the motivation of Stephie and Mags to finally convince me that I should feel out of the loop and get my rear into gear. So all I could do is try and oblige them as best as I can.

So here's my exciting news. I'm going to have a new baby, and I get it without having to go through all the issues that go with it. I just get all the fun stuff. Except the whole waiting thing is definately over rated.!! My mare Royale, who just turned 7 this year, is pregnant for the first time, and due to foal towards the middle or end of Febuary. You can't tell in these pictures that she's pregnant. She pretty much just looks fat, but she's really not. In this picture, which was around Sept./Oct. So, at this point she's only around half way along. Horses gestation is 11 months, she's about 6 months along. Though now, she's sporting a real pregnant belly. Its nice and round, and nearly touching the ground. Haha!! Sorry Royale, you look like a pregnant horse. I'd say cow, but I swear she knows what I'm saying when I talk to her, and she has an attitude and temper to match mine.

We bred Royale to my Dad's Stud Coyote. He got the name Coyote from the joke Coyote Ugly. He was about 4 - 5 months old, just starting to lose his cute little baby fuzz, and couldn't figure out what color he should change to or stay as. I still don't think he's completely decided. As you can tell in the pictures of him, he's still sporting a little of his original color. The little guy (Who I sadly proclaimed him a filly (little girl) to my dad, until he took a better look the next day and had a completely new surprise, he was all colt (little boy) was born the prettiest little buckskin, sporting a white mane and black tail. Well as you can tell, he changed his mind and went a different way.

But I think the whole family is excited to see what the two first time parents give us. Coyote is all grins for sure whenever he sees or gets near Royale. Its a laugh watching him. He's such a smug romancer!!! But so far, everything has been going great with our expectant mother, and if all goes well, we'll have a cute little baby in a month. I'm totally stoked!!

Happy Daddy to Be

Heza Doc's Coyote

a.k.a. Coyote

Bonanza's Royale Girl

a.k.a. Royale

Pregnant, but just as

Sassy and Spirited as ever!!

Her Baby ?

a.k.a. ?

We'll find out in a month. WhooHoo!!

Whats what....

2008-01-24T14:33:00.000-07:00

Anyway, here's the whats what about the happening around here. The house seems like its ten times bigger now that Maggie's gone. I don't if its because half her clothes went with her to Russia, or the fact that we don't have a parking merry-go-round continually changing as the family comes and goes all day long. Its a little bizarre not having her around.

The parent's and I decided to take a trip to Provo last weekend. Rachel has the most comfortable couches in the world!! I should know I slept on both of them, probably much to her annoyance since she took the time to make me up a bed. Oh well!! I slept great no matter what... I just waited until around 4 in the morning to do so, on both nights. What can I say, its the life of a Night Audit Clerk. But Provo was a blast.

We all went sledding and took Rennie with us. We even had a tiny race between Brandon and Rennie on one sled, and me on another. I kicked both their butts!!! WhooHoo Me!! It helped put some wind back into my thoroughly deflated sails. They were flatter then a pancake as I had to struggle to climb the hill back to the top. Western boots and snow just do not go together. Not only did I look like I was running on a treadmill, and not gaining an inch as I ran in place, and quickly losing ground. My family at the top will be witness to it, as Rachel just about falls over laughing when I try and follow Mom and Dad's instruction and dig the side's of my feet into the snow to get up the hill, and end up falling flat on my face on the side of the hill. (Still laughing) Rachel put it correctly when she tried to explain to Mom, who had turned her head away for two seconds "That I bit it hard... No, that I was really ate snow."But it was a blast sledding. I just need to burn all the incriminating pictures Rachel took of it. I'm still working on that one. I'll let you know how it goes.