Any Given Tuesday...

On The Ranch, I've learned, to never really plan out my day. I need to get my work done, days ahead of time. Because, you just never know, what the day will bring. Like this morning. I decided to tackle the payroll. 2 days early. I thought it would be a slow day...

Then all sorts of yummy things happened. Ol' Blue Eyes came for a visit. he had us all laughing. And yearning to go out and drive a fast car. My Lil' Cowgirl was hanging out with J. She was also toting around in her Nana's high heels. This girly is learning early! Especially since her Godfather bought her a crown to wear too!

The guys were trying to clean up. You know, we had a horrible wind storm last night. Lots of clean up was required through the orchards. And we were getting in some animals at 9AM. The foreman insisted that I'm married to J. And that our Goddaughter, is really our daughter. This is a daily event. Which lead to all the guys, adding in their 2 cents.

I was also tackled with a crap load of government paperwork. The guys are getting ready to start hauling cattle again. So the proper paperwork needs to be done. And it had to be in the mail by 2PM. We received it at 9AM. Talk about hurrying!

But my boss and friend, J, always has something up his sleeve. Like at lunchtime. When he walked in with a yummy, iced cold Sonic drink. And My Lil' Cowgirl. Shortly followed with a bowl of strawberries, my favorite BBQ sandwich, and cucumber water. Does this man know me or what? I'm absolutely spoiled at work!

I should have known something was up. Especially when Ol' Blue Eyes mentioned our upcoming gigs. And then we went into updating the Band's website. And noticing, just how bad I am at updating people, on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. Ya, I suck!

The best was yet to come. You know, at the sleepy hour of 2PM. The office was a little quiet. The heat and the wind were picking up. And I could just tell, something was up. Then J started playing this song...



And before we knew it, we were on the porch...DANCING! In TRIPLE DIGIT WEATHER! Folks, I think we've lost it. Seriously, we have! Then we decided to get some stuff together for our "Big Gig" in October. More dancing. A little singing. And some fiddle playing.

During which time, our Goddaughter was fast asleep. On J's dogs. Who were also asleep. On the floor, in his office. When we were done with the band stuff, I picked some Sunflowers for the Break Room. Made some lemonade for the guys. And started printing checks.

Before long, hay was being piled onto trucks. Guys were hooting and hollering. They were working on the fields. Some were coming in for the day. And one guy, he was about to pass out from the heat. We threw him in a horse's water bucket. The thing is bigger than a bathtub! The guys covered him in ice. And I talked to him. Took his vitals. And before long, we had him inside drinking water.

Yes, that is just "Any Given Tuesday" on The Ranch. We're always moving forward. Rarely if ever, do we go off the plans for the day. We try to. Tasks need to get done by a certain time. But every day life, well, it just happens. And we're just trying to get it all done. Before the sun goes down.

Now I'm getting ready to leave. My Lil' Cowgirl is chasing Chance (the dog) and J is talking to some of the guys. Ol' Blue Eyes is eating. And 2 other dogs, are swimming. In the pool! I tell you, this is the life! Who else gets paid to make payroll, eat yummy food, play with their Goddaughter, laugh with their friends, and dance? I'm not sure. But my job is pretty wonderful! ♫

Playful

Ol' Mr. Blue Eyes, he is in an awfully good mood today! Smitten really. And it's nice to be around him. In general, our boss/friend is this amazing man. He has a heart bigger than Texas! And this great personality. It's honestly, such fun to be around him.



But today, he happens to be in such an amazing mood. Not sure why. OK, I know. His career is definitely on an upswing. Even with what unfolded yesterday. But I can tell you this much, I'm not asking al the details. I'm just glad that he is happy. And at peace with himself. I can't imagine living the life that he lives. Being under a microscope like he is. It has to be difficult. Having the world judge all of your failures and successes.

But for now, he gets to be a normal, thirty something year old man. Just hanging out with his friends. It's crazy to think, how we've become such great friends. How this entire band, went from just meeting him, to him hiring us, to all of us being such great friends. Crazy! But I'm glad that he seen our show in Vegas, all those years ago! ♫

Watermelon and the Band

We had a few hours off today. You know, to do a little bit of nothing. Which lead to some hilarious conversation. But that's what you get with these guys. This band is hilarious! And there may have been 8 watermelons involved too!

At one point, one of the guys asked, if seeds really do fall from the watermelon slices. You know, like on the skits from Sesame Street. Well, that raised all kinds of stories. And before long, we had a seed spitting contest going. There were many different techniques used. And in the end, I was the "Watermelon Champ!"

We should probably check back with our boss, in a couple of months, and see how many watermelon vines he has growing. Yes, 8 watermelons, 1 band, and a hilarious seed spitting contest. That's a lot of seeds, even in that large field.

What else do you do on 200 acres of land? On your day off. With one of the most famous athletes? Ya, I know. But we had a blast! The South, well they grew 'em better! Everything! And everyone. :)

Now, I'm off to do some cooking. I promised the guys a yummy dinner, before our gig. See, I cook. And I'm not entirely sure who cleans up. But I know it's not me! :) I'll be in hair and makeup. Happy Wednesday! ♫

Made Him Smile That Smile...

To say that my boss/friend has been a little stressed out...well that's just the understatement of the year! No lie! And he was looking a little stressed out. Not too long ago...

By the way, the entire band is melting. It's that crazy hot out here. But we're here, supporting our boss/friend. And since he's been incredibly understanding of my situation this week, and let's just face it...nice to me, I knew I needed to make him laugh. :)

What I didn't anticipate was...that smile! You know, the crook'd smile. Sly. Boyish. The one that says it all. While not saying anything at all. Well, that's what I got. Maybe I shouldn't have picked this song to dance andd sing to...



But I did. And we all laughed. As the band pounded out rhythms. On trash cans no less! And I sang my own version. All while making him laugh. Pre-work. Y'all I didn't want to distract him that much. Yes, we have a playful relationship. But he still has a job to do. He did have a good laugh. Especially when I convinced a little L, his nieces, and my Lil' Cowgirl to do some dancing with me.

It definitely got his mind off of things. My boots are little dusty. And I'm sure there are some people trying to figure out if all the people from the southwest are this silly. Um, ya we are! And now, we're all ready for tonight's BIG event. I'm pretty pumped up myself! How can we call this work? Why do people pay us for this again? Please tell me. Happy Saturday! ♫

Salty, Sweet, Delicious!

Do you see this brownie? Yum! That's all I can say. It's salty, sweet, and so delicious! My mouth is watering...just thinking about it. I might just have to bake some. Sometime today. You know, for all my friends/band mates. Since we're working together. For the next 12 days or so. :)

Because of my niece's graduation, I'm a little late getting to the gig. :( But they understand. And so does my boss. But this would definitely score me some points. Yummy brownies. I think they'd forget all about me missing 2 nights of gigs. ;)

To be 100% honest, I just want some of these brownies. hahaha You know me and my sweet tooth. But these are just extra yummy! I think it's because they're slightly salty too. Anyway that you put it, have a Happy Thursday! ♫

Strawberry Shortcake

What do you think about this costume? A little "racy" huh? I was just doing an innocent search, about a month ago, for a Strawberry Shortcake costume. Not even for me! I was helping a friend. She had 5 costumes to hunt down, for her 5 itty bitties. So I was a little shocked when this popped up, when I typed "Children's Strawberry Shortcake Costume," into Google.

My fellow band members encouraged this purchase. You know, we do perform on and around Halloween. We always dress up. But, I just can't imagine wearing this. Honestly, the only time I really wore a "racy costume," I was in kindergarten. No lie! I was a genie.

Maybe if I was 4 inches taller. Or a few pounds lighter. Heck, if I was just a little braver. But I'm not. Instead, I'm gearing up to be "Little Red Riding Hood." It should be fun. You just never know, I might just leave this on the back burner for now. But there is always next year... ♫