Happy Election Day

Good Morning! I just got finished filling out my ballot, which spurred me to write this post, instead of running my pumpkin recycling ideas, but I can do that tomorrow... Today is election day. Although there are only two issues on our small town ballot, they are important ones; new elections for the school board, and a measure for our emergency response system. But, it doesn't really matter if there are only two, or twenty ballot measures, election day is a way to get your voice heard, and support our great country.

Did you know that there are women still alive that remember a time when they couldn't vote? That's because women didn't get the right to vote until August 1920. What? That's less than ninety years ago! In the past (before mail in only elections), we would take the kids with us to the little community center where we vote, and it usually turned out to be a community get together. But, the important part was to instill in our kids the patriotism that is attached with the responsibility that goes along with every single vote.

In the most recent election (oh boy, don't get me started with that-ha!) we knew a gal who was so devoted to her party, but didn't like her candidate, that she chose not to vote at all. I've got to tell you, this made me mad. I believe it is not only our civic duty, but a well fought for privilege to vote. So, go dig through that pile on the counter, find your ballot, and get it where it needs to be by 7:00. Oh, and wear that flag sticker they give you with great pride!

Have a miracle of a day!

Metaphysical Monday

Good Morning! Do you remember last week when I told you the kids and I were headed out to go skiing? Well, we didn't make it! I am thoroughly convinced that I had an angel watching over us that day.

We had headed out after all the traffic was gone, so the roads were not too bad, as far as traffic was concerned, but still very snow packed. I got behind a car that was going way too slow. I got as far back as I could possibly get, because we were on a stretch of road that has S curves on a pretty steep hill. Something reminded me to think of my "trouble bubble", and we were going along just fine until my truck lost all fuel. The most amazing break down I have ever had, I had complete control of the vehicle, with my brakes and steering not going out. There was nowhere for me to pull over for almost a half mile; I safely coasted down the slick hill, off the side of the road onto another rarely used road, and didn't block either one; and the truck died.

What is a trouble bubble you ask? As my family gets older, and are attempting new and somewhat dangerous things (like skiing and snow boarding and driving and...), I felt as if we needed as much protection as we could possibly get. So a few years ago, I put in place my trouble bubble (say that ten times fast!). Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but wait 'til your kids become teenagers, you'd do whatever it takes for added guards watching over them.

A trouble bubble, as I call it, is a strong picture I have in my mind. I can see the valley that we live in, which is enclosed in a bubble that is full of sunshine, and of course the valley is as green as Springtime, with the beautiful mountains towering behind. Above the edges of my bubble are the stormy clouds, I guess this represents the storms we all go through in life. Whenever I feel that any of us need any extra protection, I fill my brain with this picture, and ask for the trouble bubble to be wherever it needs, to travel with my family so to speak.

Sounds a lot like praying, and that is one of my most important points with these metaphysical postings. Although we all have different beliefs, and religious affiliations, it is all very similar to me calling in my trouble bubble. People may not even realize when their Spirit Guides are working with them and protecting them, let alone believe in them, but they are there as your back up whenever you ask them.

The cutest part of the story is that for the almost two hours we were stuck on the side of the road, my kids had a great time. Luckily we were dressed for skiing, and they had their skis and boards, so they found a hill and played most of the time. I think the funnest thing for them was when they cleared the snow off of the trees onto one another! Tom was able to get to us before the tow truck, and was able to replace the fuse that had blown, so I didn't even have a tow bill or anything, I drove home under my own power. So, whether we were not meant to go any further, or Tom was not meant to drive home later from work, we took this warning for what it was and headed home to our safe little ranch!

Have a miracle of a day!

Royal Ranch Royalty

Snickers

Good Morning! Here it is another Sunday, and I hope that you all remembered the time change; if only my body would cooperate and use up that extra hour of sleep-ha! Today I am proud to introduce Snickers.

Snickers has been here just over a year, and is settling in quite nicely. He, and his buddy Pepper have a sad story, and it has taken them both some time to get over it, but they are very happy here, and love their packing jobs. Many years ago, when llamas were a big fad thing, a Girl Scout camp here in Colorado (won't mention any butthead names), had a program for their scouts that included llamas. Well, when this was no longer a fad (I run into this problem a lot), they just decided to let Snickers and Pepper loose in the woods. Four years later, a co-worker at our campground jobs, got a job at the camp, and let us know about the llamas. As usual, Tom loaded up the trailer and off we went.

Our friend had been able to coax them into a pen, and told us to get them ASAP. We arrive at the camp and there is not one person in sight. Luckily I had thought ahead to bring extra halters, and Tom and I started the rodeo of haltering these two boys who had been wild for four years. I was so glad that Tom was with me that day, because Snickers is the biggest llama we have ever worked with, and with a neck that long, I just could not reach his head to slip the halter over it. It is amazing what a little patience and quiet understanding can accomplish, it wasn't even a half hour before we had them loaded and ready to go. Still no one in sight.

We sat and waited, and finally I got mad and went in search of some one. The people that I found were only seasonal workers, and the only information they had on the boys was their names; at that point I felt lucky to get that even. To this day, I could swear I heard a sigh of relief come from that trailer when we headed down the road, on our long trek home.

Snickers was so large I was a little worried about Marcel (my lead llama), and that Snickers would take over his position in the hierarchy, but I think Snickers was so glad to be here, in a safe environment, that he didn't care who his boss was. The bond between him and Pepper is really a wonder to watch. They are inseparable and count on one another for companionship and protection, Snickers being the protector, and Pepper is the guard; always on the look out for danger.

We feel very blessed to have these animals in our lives. Although I have seen some terrible things, rescuing animals all of these years, but the love of an animal whose life you have saved is incomparable. The fact that these boys now trust us with their lives, and are able and willing employees adds to our love for animals, and benefits our businesses. Now that's a win win situation!

Have a miracle of a day!

Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween!!! Well, it's the middle of the night and I can't get any sleep. I'm not sure if it's half the family being gone hunting or goblins in my dreams, but there will be no shut eye for me. We went to the elementary school for trick or treating last night, it worked out well that they had their night before the actual big day, this way we will get to participate in all sorts of Halloween merriment. We haven't gone to the Halloween Hall in quite a few years, and I had forgotten that's where the community takes the wee little ones, instead of the freezing cold neighborhood my kids make us go to.

It really was a great time for all. My little "dark angel" (no more cutesy little costumes for me, boo hoo!) with her ribbon wrapped coat hanger for a halo, almost broke my heart she was so cute (I'll try and get a pic on tonight's go round). Having the three sixteen year old boys with me was such a wonderful "treat". The little kids really seemed to get a kick out of the big boys and their crazy costumes that they had pulled together in five minutes from my Halloween box.

Although I had to bribe them (food goes a long way with growing boys as far as leverage is concerned), when I reminded Thomas that his beloved little sister would miss out on the haunted house due to my seizure problem (really, why do they all have to have strobe lights-ha!), he smiled and headed for the big box of costumes from years gone by, all prepared to take her. Maybe they just needed an excuse to get dressed up and act like "hooligans" (or is it ghouligans?) one last time, but they were all in the truck waiting for me, pillow cases in hand within a few minutes. The ghost and goblin teachers have known these boys all their lives, and teased them about being veterans, they know what holds the most candy. I'm just hoping the pillow cases started out clean!

Sometimes I am so proud of my family, it almost makes me cry. To watch all of those bitty babies going past in their cute little pumpkin and M&M outfits (my favorite were the twins dressed as a glass of milk and a cookie), many of them still being carried by their hot and tired parents. And the first and second graders that have moved up to princesses and tough guys, really made me think about how much my family has grown. Like I said, no more cutesy for me, as Bella (my youngest) reminded me, this is her second to last school Halloween party ever!

Aaahh... the answer to my sleep issues.

Have a safe and wonderful Halloween! Oh, and don't forget to turn your clock back tonight, yea, I get an extra hour to try and sleep tonight.

Judy's Cleaning Quandary

Good Morning! Well, after two days of having no school, and a minimum of 5 kids coming and going out of this very wet snow has really turned my house into a pig stye. So, today I will be doing some housecleaning, but I have found myself in a terrible quandary for the last eleven years as far as cleaning supplies go. I think by now you have gotten the idea that everything I do, I try to do in the most earth friendly way.

Eleven years ago we bought this ranch, and its contents, and then just a few years later we bought our cabin with all of its contents. See, both places were summer homes, and had not been used in years, so the sellers were not at all interested in retrieving any of their worldly goods, not that all of it is that worldly. I have talked about the great junk piles and old furniture that was left at both of these places, that we have turned into some really great stuff, like my 100% recycled chicken coop, or some really nice refinished furniture.

But, they also left mountains and mountains of cleaning supplies. Both the Roost and The Royal Ranch had two bathrooms in them at the time, stocked to the brim with cleaning supplies, as well as both kitchens had a set. My problem is, is that these cleaning supplies are very old, and therefore not too good for the environment. For the past decade, I have been using those same supplies and very sparingly at that. So, what to do? The products are already here, they work very well, almost too good, which is how I know they can't be good for Mother Earth (besides the scary warning labels). Part of my issue, is that I don't believe in wasting anything, and I know that the stuff has to get disposed of in some way. So far, my thinking is to use them a little at a time, then do the best I can to recycle any possible part of the containers.

I no longer use any of these products up at our cabin, because I worry about guests sensitivities, which only doubled the amount I still have down here at the Ranch. So, is it better for me to use them sparingly, or get rid of it all, and hope that me disposing of it is not too harsh on the environment that I respect and love? I know that there are places to take hazardous chemicals, but again, do I know how they are going to be disposed of? I am not sure the people who deal with hazmat on a daily basis are going to take my old Lysol toilet bowl cleaner very seriously.

Every time I clean house I am so hoping that I will finally be done with the nasty stuff, but it just keeps on keeping on! Some of the containers are so old and cool, that I will keep them as displays, as a matter of fact, look at the bottles, those are products that haven't been seen in a long time, they even have old fashioned price tags still on them! Let me know your thoughts.

Have a miracle of a day!

Big Snow=Big Announcment

Good Morning! I hope those of you from here in Colorado are nestled up to a fire, or at least a loved one. Colorado has been hit with a huge snow storm just in time for Halloween-Yeah!!! The early snow means that I really have to get my winter brain on, and prepare for a new adventure here at The Royal Ranch. We are going to be renting snow shoes this year!

As many of you know, our little piece of paradise is located at the bases of spectacular Mts. Rosalie and Logan, outside of Bailey, CO. There are multiple Pike National Forest trailheads within one mile of our ranch, so it seems only fitting with our "share the love of nature" businesses and philosophy to add snow shoe rental to the list. We have been collecting all sorts of snow shoes to get ready for this big winter we have ahead of us.

For those of you who can't make it a day trip, let me know, and we may just be able to fit you in at The Royal Roost! That way you could spend your days snow shoeing and your evenings in front of the roaring fire in your own private cabin. With the Roost, comes access to our own private trailhead, that is very rarely used.

Yes, this is all a shameless plug, but it is much more than that. It is an invitation to get out and enjoy and learn about our amazing environment. Snow shoeing can burn up to 400 calories an hour! The benefits go even further than that, with normal exercise a person's endorphins are released, as well as when a person is very happy and in a peaceful environment. Snow shoeing is a double whammy! So even if you can't come and visit us, get out there and enjoy Mother Nature, all the while getting a great dose of exercise.

Have a miracle of a day!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Good morning! Well, there is at least six inches of snow on the ground with another foot expected! The kids are out of school, and for some reason would prefer to go skiing than stay home and play games, ah the good old days!! So, off I go to Arapaho basin with three extraordinarily happy kids in tow!

Have a miracle of a day!