Category Archives: Love My Life

Love My Life

Gold Coast Happenings

Posted on by kathousekelli70

From Borobi the Commonwealth Games mascot….

To your everyday comic koala….

The Gold Coast beaches are still surprising Jack and I with spectacular weather for walking.

Covering a few miles each day walking through parks and back along our gorgeous white sandy beaches…

…to walks along ‘Millionaires row’ and back along more beach front.

Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach have kept us entertained with everything from beach weddings, car park bathing (you heard me right), model photography in cool waters and cappuccinos in nearby coffee shops.

The winter weather is truly spectacular with much less humidity and rain than we experience during Summer.

Hope you are enjoying your days wherever you may be. Make each one count.

Kat xo

Another Roll Of The Dice

Posted on by kathousekelli70

The Gamblers put on another spectacular match for the Heartland Territorial Championships – Another Roll of The Dice last weekend.

A turn out of 118 shooters, spectacular weather made for an awesome weekend.

Wednesday with final setup, meet and greet with many, it was ready for action and looking great! Ex Sighted and I went out for a quick look at the range and added a few paint touches to the targets – not that they would last long tomorrow but looked good for the initial run!

 

The theme this year was Kings and Queens. The targets featured it, the score cards, the poems Deslaredo wrote for each stage and the book featured stories of: Buck Taylor – King of the Cowboys, Rosa Maria Hinojosa de Balti – the first Cattle Queen of Texas, Roy Rogers – King of the (Singing) Cowboys, Davy Crockett – King of the Wild Frontier, Lizzie Johnson Williams – the Cattle Queen of Texas, Poker Alice – the Faro Queen of Deadwood, Pearl Hart – Bandit Queen.

Thursday was Pat Garrett, a 4 stage match. After lunch was speed events and that evening bring on the knife and hawk throwing. So much fun and laughter, hope we didn't keep the neighbor hood awake! Lol!

 

Into Friday and the first 5 stages of main match. I had a great visit with a high school friend, Kim, it was so great to catch up with her and show her what we do and the enjoyment we get from it.

We had a sensational Posse! Jack and I aka Ricochet, Amazing Grace together with Chuck, Pearl Starr, Katie Younger, Robb n Co, Mrs Mac, Hipshot, Blackjack Al (and his wife Erica), H, Mrs H, Dam Sam, Lucky Strike Lass, Marlboro Man, Coyote Baz, Meggs, Deputy Sheriff Charlie Brown, Miss Lucy, Molly Blade, Amazed, Lone Star, Doc Cummins, Etta Place, Fox and Urban Cowboy.

 

Friday night and feeling alright, It's beer's, calf roping (with saw cow) and horseshoes!

Saturday morning rolls around for the final 5. With Ex Sighted, Clancy and Powder Burn, scores were checked and double checked, printed and ready for the following day's awards. The shindig was great, Pat Garrett and side match awards given out and before you know it another late night with another early morning to come.

Sunday morning the Top 8 Ladies and Men and an invitational 8 Ladies and Men for the shootout got ready for some final action. The invitational was won by Trixie and Renegade Ty, the top 8 myself and R C Shot.

Much hard work was put in to the trophies by Ex Sighted and Bordello Baz. Donations of other prizes, vouchers etc were greatly appreciated by the recipients.

 

In the wash up, Jack won Silver Senior category! Congratulations to Deslaredo in 2nd place and Johnny Behan in 3rd place.

 

Jack also won Speed pistol, Calf Roping and Men's Traditional Lever Action in Pat Garrett.

 

I rounded out a great weekend, Ladies Traditional Lever Action in Pat Garrett, Speed Rifle, Speed PG Rifle, Calf Roping and Hawk. With 1 miss for the main match I was first in Lady Wrangler alongside Ex Sighted in 2nd Place and Lucky Strike Lass in 3rd place. Congratulations ladies!

 

First overall out of territory The Terror and Amazing Grace.

 

Heartland Territorial winners Chuck and Pearl Starr.

 

Congratulations to everyone who came to play! Hope you had as much fun as we did!

Cheers

Kat xo

 

Beachcomber’s

Posted on by kathousekelli70

The weather is just superb here at the moment and in need of some exercise, I convinced Jack to come walking with me.

We set out this morning after breakfast towards Broadbeach and beyond. Through the park at Broadbeach are exercise machines so we stopped at each station to add to the workout.

We kept on to Kurrawa Surf Club, ditched the runners once there and proceeded back along the sand. How good it feels to have the sand between our toes again. Despite the water being rather fresh! There were a few brave souls in the water.

What a view and an hour well spent!

Kat xo

Setting The Scene

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Saturday was a successful club match day with The Gamblers. With 20 or more shooters in attendance we got through 6 stages as the afternoon cooled off as the sunlight began to fade.

Sunday with a team of around 13 we set to getting stages ready, props in place, targets out, shooters bags packed, tables organized and the club house decorated with flags, Gamblers paraphernalia and more.

The trophies are mostly set up and as we wait for Wednesday to roll around, then the final bits and pieces can be setup ready for ‘Another Roll Of The Dice’.

For then some 130 shooters will descend on the Gold Coast ready for the annual match.

See you soon!

Kat xo

First Leg

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Well I never want to hear the name Stella again, please don’t call your child that I heard that name enough in 2hrs past! 😂😂 poor baby, couldn’t keep still in a fit.

Had a pleasant fly over the West rim of the Grand Canyon. A diversion due to weather we were skirting around it was an exceptional view!

Lake Havass coming into Las Vegas was also a spectacular sight but didn’t get pictures of it.

Here’s to the next leg, hope the dog behind me doesn’t start bouncing off the seat like the previous precious little one. 🙄😬😂😂

Kat xo

Bluebonnets and Candy Corn

Posted on by kathousekelli70

A strange combination but really, they aren’t together, just together for the same wearer!

Petticoat Parker’s new Texas blue bonnet and flags corset, reticule and matching arm garters for Red River Raider.

Getting set for Halloween later in the year, she also has her candy corn ensemble as well.

Fun stuff!

Kat xo

Let’s Go Swimming!

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Made from Ageless Patterns 1893 Swimming Costume pattern these cute swimsuits are sure to keep a certain cowgirl cool for Summer shoots.

When Dirty Nerdy gets these it will suit her personality down to the ground.

I’m sure in 1893 the suggested fabrics were blue flannel! A far cry from these whimsical patterns that Dirty Nerdy acquired.

My favourite?! The pin up girls of course followed by the Liberty fabric.

They were fun to do, probably make a couple changes next time I do this pattern but I love them.

Kat xo

West to East

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Well that does sound like we are travelling a lot further across the country but no, just a few states.

Wyoming, on through Nebraska, dropping down into Kansas and further down into Oklahoma.

As we came into Kansas yesterday we found the historical marker indicating the geographical centre of the country.

 

We stopped in Belleville, KS for the night and walked from the motel to the BelVilla family dining. A little home style restaurant, licensed, nothing flash about the decor but great food and awesome service. I asked the girl if I could keep the menu, a newspaper style print with a beautiful old courthouse and water tower on the front.

 

If you know me then of course I wanted to find this building. Jack and I headed into the downtown district after breakfast. Belleville was established in 1869, some old buildings came into view but alas no old courthouse just the white Art Deco version in the town square. We drove in and around a few streets, asked two old guys (one at a workshop and one driving the USPS truck) and both have only been in the area for a couple of years and couldn't help.

As Jack filled the car with gas, I did a search on the phone and when he returned all I could work out was that it had been burned down and replaced with the current one and also that Belleville was known for the 'world's fastest half mile high bank dirt track!'

A race track for midgets and sprint cars. As we got back on the road there on the left was the Highbanks Hall of Fame and Museum so we stopped in for a quick look.

 

The gentleman was just opening up the doors as we were looking at the display out front. We went in for a short visit.

 

This picture shows a photo of the track at the top and below it a painting of the track. The Belleville High Banks dirt track is 23 ft high on the bank and 80ft wide, you can't walk up it but can certainly run at 140mph in these little cars!

 

There are some great displays, cars and memorabilia for the car enthusiast to stop and have a look. Donation for entry.

Back on the road and we are heading for Marysville and the Pony Express station. This is, as a sign said in a paddock, Pony Express country. From Washington this section of the highway is known as the Pony Express Highway.

 

A quick stop in Hanover, the visitor centre is closed but we saw the Pony Express Station on the Hollenberg Ranch just east of town. It is said to be the only one still on its original site. (Seems contradictory now when you get to the next stop! lol)

 

Next stop Marysville. The Marysville Pony Express Station is the only original station still on its original site. Home Station No.1 has been many other businesses over the course of history but has been lovingly restored and stripped of modern fabrications back to its original limestone walls.

 

The 18″ thick limestone walls, original openings for light and ventilation with a replacement roof – 12 years after the pony express ran through – the original roof had been burnt in a fire.

This station allowed riders to stay in bunks within the barn, often up to 10 days until the next mail came in, or they could stay at the nearby Barrett Hotel.

 

During the 19 months the Pony Express ran for, over 35,000 pieces of mail were delivered via 200 relay stations. The number of rides/mileage made is enough to circumnavigate the world 3 times over.

 

Mary set us up for a short video when we entered and Shirley gave us the rest of the tour through many wonderous antiques, machinery, vehicles, reproduction stagecoach, popcorn machine, dioramas and much more!

 

What a sensational stop, she suggested the Wagon Wheel for lunch near the statue and glass panels. We headed there next and had a great lunch with a quick visit to the statue in the 99F heat. The glass picture panels are great, the picture changes with your movement.

 

We continued our journey south through the great Kansas plains and farming land. Corn……..corn………..and more corn. I'm sure there is more to the crops than that, just seems like that is all you see. 🙂

We made it! We are back in Oklahoma.

Kat xo

 

 

Wild Horse Haven

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Our time at Wild Horse Haven wrapped up this morning as we prepared to get back on the road towards Oklahoma.

It has been a wonderful, relaxing, entertaining week and a half with John and Anna. Jack and I cannot thank you enough for your hospitality.

I managed much sewing, a little reading and movie watching. More relaxation than I am normally doing. We enjoyed the balcony drinks, dinners and Cheyenne hill views under this great big sky.

Despite a very much cooler on the 4th July evening, the fireworks displays Anna and I watched as the stormy skies gave way to dark orange sunset's were, as always, spectacular!

Last nights pink sky setting couldn't have been a more perfect and fitting farewell.

 

Hugs and thank you again dear friends.

Kat xo

 

Pawnee Station

Posted on by kathousekelli70

In the small town of Nunn, Colorado is the Great Guns Shooting Club where the Pawnee Station Annual shootout was held this past weekend.

 

Friday we headed down from Cheyenne for side matches and check out the ranges for the match. We had did a couple warm up stages, ran the speed shotgun, rifle and pistols 3 times and helped out where we could.

 

I spent some time with Agarita Annie discussing transitions and suggested runs on a few stages before it was soon time for Jack to do the Posse Marshal walk through.

 

Saturday morning and we are up bright and sparky early to go join the rest for Day 1 of the main match. Posse 1 headed by Jack, with myself, Wild Horse John, Wildcat Cliff, Lil Chicadee, Buzzard Wawkin, Duelly, Kid Canyon, Semi Colon, Home Range, Prairie Wind, Prairie Lightning, Prairie Sheriff, Blazen Vaquero, Sonora Blaze and Rooster Rick.

 

The sky was blue and cloudless, the sun bright and scorching as we set down into the 'bowl' for stages 1-5. A slight relieving breeze came through around stage 3.

Jack didn't start off crash hot but finished out the first 5 strong and I was clean.

 

Beer and relaxation was looking good for the end of day 1.

It's like dejavu as we head out Sunday morning for stages 6-10. Water was being consumed at a fast rate by all competitors and we were finished when the breeze started around 11.30am.

Clean match for me and just 1 miss the previous day for Jack. We had a great posse and even with 3 little Buckaroo's we got through our stages with everyone working efficiently.

 

Lunch was again provided by the barbecue place in Wellington. Saturday was pulled brisket and succulent turkey on buns and for Sunday lunch it was superb, fall off the bone, rubbed ribs. Sensational!

Awards started soon after and got done by about 2pm. Congratulations to the Pawnee Station Vindicators for another great match.

Jack was 1st in Silver Senior, 2nd Neuces Slim, 3rd John Mosby.

 

Congratulations to my fellow Lady Wrangler in 2nd place Pauline Mosby.

 

Jack had won Speed Pistol in the side matches and the Cowboy Challenge.

I took 1st overall with Avery Wade 1st cowboy overall in 2nd place! Congrats cowboy!

 

Thank you to all involved wih putting the match on. I know your number were down with other shoots on and it not being a state titles this year but your range beautification efforts, target placement and stages were great.

Kat xo