Category Archives: Love My Life

Love My Life

That’ll be the day!

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Said John Wayne as Ethan Edwards in “The Searchers” (1956) and that's exactly what I thought when Petticoat Parker asked if I'd seen any John Wayne inspired fabric.

'Whoa, take 'er easy there pilgrim' I thought (John Wayne as Tom Doniphon in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)) I've never seen any John Wayne fabric but I sure was going to see if I could find anything like it for her.

I did! To my wonder and surprise Spoonflower had two designs featuring John Wayne. So therefore, Petticoat Parker's corset, matching reticule and Red River Raider's matching arm bands came to be!

Now if you haven't kept up with what's going on here, in a months time, Winter Range begins and this year the theme is John Wayne movies. So I just had to find fabric appropriate for her gear.

'Slap some bacon on a biscuit and let's go! We're burnin' daylight!' – as Wil Anderson in “The Cowboys” (1972). They are done and already in her hot little hands!

 

Wish I could be there but keep your eye out for these little beauties on the range in Phoenix! Go check out Winter Range, at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility Feb19th-25th, 2018. 700 or more shooters, Fastdraw and Mounted Shooting included.

 

Kat xo

 

Practice, Shoot, Repeat

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Practice doesn't always need to be at the range and when it's this dang cold then indoors is the place to be!

No amount of layers, hand warmers and gloves can compensate for the need to go outside unless absolutely necessary.

We did venture out on Saturday for the club match but declined to repeat the below zero temperatures to do it again for Wild Bunch on Sunday or indeed practice today.

 

Jack had a great run on Saturday taking 1st overall and shooting better than I have seen him shoot in a long time. Maybe the cold works better for him, lol! My hands never want to work properly so 2nd for me. 🙂 Great work man!

 

We had 18 show up and I guess that means it's the start of larger numbers (despite the temperatures) because it's only a few months until the SW Regional!

Stay warm and see you on the range somewhere soon!

Brrrrrr!

Kat xo

 

All In The Quite

Posted on by kathousekelli70

It might be appropriate to open with this little gem I found on the internet today.

 

Whilst it has been quite since the beginning of the year, it certainly hasn't been a 'still' 12 days into the New Year that's for sure.

With the ongoing secret squirrel projects and knocking out a couple of great looking corsets, I'm working out the next list of projects, doing my workouts and contemplating this year's goals. I shouldn't say contemplating, I know what they are and the actions that are needed to fulfill them.

It's only a few weeks now until Jack and I head back to Australia for a stint recouping in the warmth before returning for another year of adventures, learnings, meeting more people and experiencing more great places.

We've still been shooting in the cold, going to practice and set to hit our first club match for the year tomorrow, followed by Wild Bunch on Sunday.

Besides that I've just thrown down a small batch of moonshine which should cure nicely over the next couple of months.

 

Cheers, big ears! It's Friday fun day!

Kat xo

 

 

Happy New Year!

Posted on by kathousekelli70

It's already New Years Day in New Zealand and Australia along with a few other countries.

As we wait for the big ball to drop here in Oklahoma, Jack and I kick back having a few drinks, would like to wish all our family, friends, cowboy's and cowgirl's, near and far, the most wonderful start to 2018.

May all you plans and dreams come true with hard work, persistence and a whole lot of fun in between.

Had to use a Sydney pic 😉

Happy New Year 2018!

Kat xo

….for auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne!…..

 

Merry Christmas

Posted on by kathousekelli70

All ovvvver, the world!

It's already Christmas Day in New Zealand, the east coast of Australia and dawn is breaking on the west coast of Aus.

It's Christmas Eve here and the stockings were hung with not much care…..I should have ironed them but Jack probably still hasn't noticed so I'm not changing it now. Lol!

 

There are a few pressies under the tree, good enough for me. (OMG it's rhyme time, look out)

There's a pavlova in the oven, floors yet to clean, but I thought I'd take a moment and set the scene.

 

It's been an adventurous week, with some sewing to tweak. Had a range practice day, for a moments delay. Made a sticky date cheesecake, Jack pleaded to bake. My chauffeur he drove me, around to lights I could see.

 

We had snow on the ground, such beauty all round.

 

A club shoot today, just a few came to play.

 

By this arvo there'll be a stiff drink in my hand, while I sit here with Jack and talk of days planned.

But before I wish a Merry Christmas and all, I thought I'd leave off, with a song for you all. (Must be sung now to Have A Holly Jolly Christmas)

Have a holly, jolly Christmas

It's the best time of the year,

Family, friends and those you know

Let's all gather, have a beer

 

Have a holly, jolly Christmas

When they are near or far,

You are always in our thoughts

Whether it be by plane or car

 

Oh, ho, crackers and cheese

With wine if you need to

Nuts, choc's and candy canes

Did you bring the trifle Sue?

 

Have a holly, jolly Christmas

hope Santa was good to you

Don't forget the reason though

Christmas came to you

 

Oh, ho the mistletoe

Hung where you can see

Hugs, laughter, kisses too

Make it special for thee

 

Have a holly, jolly Christmas

And in case you didn't hear

Oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas

This year!!

 

Brought to you by Kat's warped mind.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Wih love and hugs from Jack and I

Kat xo

 

What’s Up?

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Well it's been a few weeks of secret squirrel projects, fun, shooting, and concert going.

Although the others can't be revealed yet, some for a couple of months! You will get to see them later and others will be revealed after Christmas.

On the past weekend Jack and I had some downtime and after seeing this year's America's Got Talent winner Darci Lynne on tv, we decided to go see her in concert for (she is from Oklahoma) her home coming show.

This 13 year old, very poised little lady, has a sensational amount of talent. No words can describe her ventriloquism and singing abilities. She moved both Jack and I to tears when we first saw her on AGT and we certainly weren't disappointed with the live performance.

Her range and variation in her choice of songs with the humour she inparts to her characters is just amazing. She is extremely talented for someone so young. Her duet with her Mom/Mum singing Silent Night was beautiful.

 

We weren't the only ones that arrived at the matinee without kids, albeit our plans were in line with heading to Toby Keith's bar afterwards, haa haa haa.

The show was sold out for all four at The Criterion, so I'm glad we decided to go as we certainly weren't disappointed.

The supporting act was another all family band with the youngest little pocket rocket being 11 – all brothers and sister, Pelican 212 were unbelievable, the twin 13yr old, trumpet playing boys are real little showmen in their suits. All of them play at least two instruments and their energy and stage presence was amazing.

 

When that was done we walked back down to Bricktown only to find Toby Keith's was closed for private function 😦 – well Charlestons it was which is only next door.

Thankfully we got there early because another hour later and people were waiting in line for tables or even a seat at the bar. Cheers to us!

 

So this week leading up to Christmas? Still working on projects, shopping done and ready to have another crack at a pav for Christmas, got the baileys to try Baileys French toast for Christmas breakfast, shooting practice tomorrow and Christmas Eve and we may even get a little bit of snow here for Christmas Day! Yippee! 🙂

Love and hugs

Kat xo

 

Christmas Shoot with The Territorial Marshal’s

Posted on by kathousekelli70

A chilly start to the day brought out 28 shooters for the Territorial Marshal's Christmas shoot.

Four stages trying to keep hands warm and working but the sun was shining and the breeze was light so you can't complain!

 

Jack decided he would try a 'mixed bag' of fun, testing his black powder loads and pistols, one of his Rugers, the .22 rifle (she says rolling her eyes) and his shotgun. Pity Santa hadn't been paying attention to which guns he packed in and put both of my pistols in the bag!!! Lol!

 

Jack had a ball with his mixed up shooting and I had a pretty good run. Plenty of laughs in any case.

 

More turned up for the Christmas party with a great dinner by John Elder's crew and restaurant. With tables cleared and a table full of gifts the 'dirty Santa' games began! Christmas gifts taken, stolen and everyone went away pretty happy with whatever they were gifted. I'm still in shock and awe that the quietest man on the range, Captain Lee, is actually funny and did a short magic medicine show. The 'Dad' jokes were abundant! Lol!

 

Tomorrow it's Wild Bunch and looking forward to 5 stages and a gathering of great cowboy's for more Christmas shooting fun.

…targets ring, are you listening, ……the brass, it is glistening, ……a beautiful sight, a shooters delight, walking down the marshal's cowboy range….. (And if you didn't sing that to Winter Wonderland then there is something wrong with you 🙂 haa haa haa)

 

An early Merry Christmas from Jack and I, may all your days be merry and bright!

Kat xo

 

Mary-Lou Does Christmas!

Posted on by kathousekelli70

As Mary-Lou July reminisced with her 'sista' Mary-Lou June this week, both still separated by continents, she bugged the hell out of me about getting out again.

So I sent Mary-Lou July with Jack to the Ten Horns this weekend. She was so excited to go visit for their Christmas shoot and party. I hoped she would be on her best behaviour but as always with Mary-Lou July, life IS like a box of chocolates and you never know which one you're gonna get – more than likely the nutty one!

 

She had me make her a new costume especially. I wasn't exactly thrilled about the 'cat' fur she decided she wanted but with the addition of 4 bells she found (don't ask), I guess she is ready for anything. At least the Ten Horns might have a chance of hearing her coming before they get to endure the nonsense.

Jack being a good sport, took his antlers she found for him (no reindeer were hurt during this process and they definitely aren't Rudolph's!) and they headed out early this morning.

The Texas Ten Horns had a good turn out of 61 shooters on a glorious sun shiney day. It was so good to see Smokin' Limey out and about too even though she wasn't shooting! And Pistol Packin' Pami, so glad you came and hung out with them on the posse.

 

The afternoon followed 6 great stages with their Christmas party! What a hoot!, gifts going in all directions! Buckles and conchos given to the clubs top hands, overall yearly champs and so on. Congratulations to Hillside Hannah and Dirt Hill Bill for overall club championship points winners!

 

Mary-Lou July was over the moon with her first shooting match, Jack said she had taken on some good tips from me and she managed to finish 5th overall yesterday and 1st overall today. Thanks to the RO's for putting up with the antics and silly lines she started with.

 

Jack finished 14th overall on Saturday and 7th overall today. Good one Jack!

She probably won't be back but thanks for bearing with her!! It's all good fun but I can't subject her to folks too many times, lol!

Merry Christmas!

Kat xo

P.S. A very special thanks to Hairtrigger Hayes and One Chance Fancy for hosting our stay Saturday night. Was a great night chit-chatting, we will definitely do it again. Love and hugs to you both.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on by kathousekelli70

It's thanksgiving here in the US and believe it or not, including the likes of Canada, Liberia, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Leiden (in the Netherlands)m Norfolk Island just off Australia also observes this tradition.

As I sat this morning (I know, highly unusual for me to be doing jack $*#!) drinking my coffee and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, I can say I am thankful for all our family, the friends we've made around the world and the chance to explore what this world has to offer.

I wondered, as I'd done the past couple of days, where the tradition had originated. This lead me to Dr Google of course finding many an explanation on Wikipaedia and other sources.

Of course most everyone knows it is observed with the likes of turkey, side dishes, pecan (lol, make sure you pronounce it as 'Pi-carn') or pumpkin pie, wine, family, football and more! It's a day for family gatherings for the holiday weekend (where as Christmas is our big to-do in Australia).

 

A long tradition of prayers and thanks in particular for previous year's crops and the harvesting thereof, tabled for all to enjoy. As early as the 16th century English traditions around thanksgiving and blessings came from acts of God, disasters and the end to wars etc, the most notable event relating to the US however was the landing of the new settlers into Plymouth (Massachusetts) 1621 and Virginia in 1619. And there's a whole lot more to that you can find on Wikipaedia

One must think back to whom the Pilgrims encountered when the arrived on the shores of Plymouth or Virginia and to that – the encounters with the Native American Indians. The Wampanoag had a great influence, giving thanks was a way of life to them on any given day. They were a part of ensuring survival of the newcomers whilst they learnt the ways of the land and how to produce crops in different regions.

There is a great school resource I found regarding that on an education site.

 

In any case, Jack and I rounded out the day with a couple of drinks, a dead chook, potatoes and peas. Topped off with caramel apple tartlets – when I get to making him a cuppa in a sec!

 

Wherever you are, I hope that besides the food etc it doesn't hurt to every now and then stop and give thanks for what we have.

 

Love and hugs to all

Kat xo