Winter Wonderland

More Arizona Pictures...

For those of you keeping up with Sue, here is the latest batch of pictures she sent...

Pictures From Arizona

Pictures From Sue

Sue is currently in wintering in Arizona. Her email is mulesandmore@gmail.com if you would like to visit with her about her trip!
Here are a few of the photos she has sent to us so far...

Crisis Averted

When I rolled in to work on Monday morning, I went thinking that I had until Friday to finish the magazine. I sat down to check email and discovered that our printing date had been moved up to Weds in order to print before ModernLitho shut down for Christmas. After a couple breakdowns and LOTS of help, we got it sent to the printers yesterday. Special thanks to my mom, grandma Alice, and Tracy! (And of course Grandma Sue who helped proof in Arizona) Whew, there for a while I thought it was going to be a disaster...but we averted any major crisis.
We have tons of jack ads in, so I guess I better start working on that. Deadline is January 3 for advertisements.
Grandma Sue has sent in over a ton of pictures. I will throw them up on here today if I get a chance.
AND we can't forget that Christmas is in two weeks...better get to shoppin'!

Somewhere With You...

Even Oprah Rides a Mule

My grandmother put a page from some gossip magazine with a picture of Oprah and her friend Gayle riding mules in my box before she left. I thought I had better share it! I guess it was taken while filming a piece for her show.

Thanksgiving 2010

I can't believe Thanksgiving has come and gone already. Even though my dad was out trucking across the country, we had a very nice Thanksgiving, with dinner at my mom's on Thursday and my uncle's house on Friday. I made a pretty delicious apple pie (above), too.

Camri and I got a bit of shopping done. Orders of the website have been coming in like crazy all day, so it seems like everyone else has been getting a start on their shopping, as well.

Camri has been asking to put up the tree for about three weeks now, so I think we will do that this week. We have always put my grandma Sue's tree up first, but since she is in Arizona now, she will have to miss that this year...

Things are super busy in the office right now. We have to have the December issue done by next Friday, so I guess I should get to work!

Goodbye, December Issue...

I just uploaded the corrections from the blueline of the December issue, which means that I am officially starting on January. What? When did this happen?

I hope everyone enjoys the Christmas Gift Guide in the December issue. We collected 19 items that mule and donkey lovers will love so you don't have to work so hard to find the perfect gifts this Christmas.

The December cover is one of my favorites. I smile every time I look at it!

A special thanks to everyone who sent in photos after our request for them on Faceb

ook. The response was overwhelming! I will have to remember Facebook the next time I am in a jam.

It is my grandma's last full week here in Missouri. After Thanksgiving, she is driving out to Arizona for three months.

I am in the middle of doing my web design for the month. I've got the features up, and the classifieds and picture page ads. I still have the calendar of events to do. I really have to be motivated to work on that page, though....

Speaking of Christmas...I am considering getting Camri a "Gypsy Tail" for Shedaisy for

Christmas. I know she would flip for it. I am thinking pink. We are growing her mane out this winter, so I might get one for her mane and her tail.

Here is the link for more about Gyspy Tails:

http://www.buckaroobay.com/catalog.php?item=2147

I have been so busy, I have barely had time to ride. But that should change now that things have slowed down a bit, thank goodness.

What Do You Want?

More Funny Man Eye Candy....

You are welcome.

Jon Hamm and His Adorable Dog

Oh, man. I didn't think Jon Hamm could do anything to make me love him more...but he did.

Le sigh...

Gaga's In The House...

We had a great Halloween! Of course, Camri got more candy than she can eat. It was chilly, but she was exhausted after her long weekend (she was a flower girl in her uncle's wedding on Saturday), so once the sun went down, we headed back to the house.

We are busy working on the December issue. Deadline was yesterday, so it will be pretty crazy around here until about next Friday. We are doing something a little different this year in the December issue, so I hope it works out well.

If you are looking for a mule sale to go to this weekend, the Kelso's are having their fall sale in Mayfield, Kentucky on Friday, November 5.

The Internet is Great

Oh, man. The internet is great, right? Halloween is great, too!

My dog can't go trick-or-treating, but if he could, I would definitely dress him as Antoine Dogson. Because This. Is. Amazing.

(via Dlisted)

Just so you know...

I don't condone punching any one in the face...but this made me giggle:

14-Inch Ortho Flex Saddle

There Are Witches In The Air...

We went to our first Halloween party of the year at my aunt and uncle's house in Belleville, Il. Camri dressed as Lady Gaga, but had taken of most of her costume by the time the picture was taken. We had a really good time! I can't believe it is already Halloween time...

Hide Ya' Cat and Hide Ya' Muggleborns

(via lamebook.com)

It Is Fall

I guess it really is fall out there now. I snapped the above picture on my way into work today.

We just finished the November issue, which gives me a few days of down time to ride. I should have been riding Hoos to get him ready for the showdeo in Oklahoma this weekend, but I think he will be fine. I had planned on taking Maggie along just so she can have some exposure, but I'm not sure if I will. I had been riding her quite a bit up until I got busy at work. She is doing great, but needs more hours than I'm putting in.

I'm hoping to sneak off this afternoon to ride...I'm sure the boss will be OK with it.

Reese Bros. Mule Sale in Westmoreland, Tenn.

This past weekend I had a booth at the Reese Bros. Mule Sale in Westmoreland, Tenn. The facility is relatively new and there were about 6 other vendors there. I sold quite a few single copies of the magazine and two subscriptions, along with a bit of merchandise. It was my first "solo" trip with the booth. I think I prefer having travel companions, though...

Looks like the next mule sale for us is the Kelso Mule Sale in Mayfield, Kentucky, on November 5.

Ada, Okla. Mule Sale

Last weekend, my dad, Cole and I went to the mule sale in Ada, Oklahoma. My dad and Cole both brought a mule to sell and I brought a booth for Mules and More. It was my first time taking a booth to a mule event, and it went very well. I took conchos, decals and static clings, calendars, books, a Harsha bit, license plates, and caps. And all I came home with was four conchos, two decals and a one book! I sold a lot of new subscriptions, too. I had a really good time meeting new and old subscribers.

My dad and Cole both sold their mule, too. Prices were not incredibly high, but Cole and dad were both pleased with what their mules brought. They allow ally trading, so Cole sold his mule on Friday and didn't have to run it through the ring. Dad was number 103 of 120, so he didn't have the best number, but he got her sold.

I will be heading to the Reese Bros. mule sale (http://www.reesemules.com/html/sales.html) in Westmoreland, Tenn., with a booth this weekend. If you are going to be there, be sure to come by the booth and say hello!

October 2010 Issues

"Time keeps on slippin'... into the future." - Seal or Steve Miller, depending on which song you are listening to.

We get the October issues tomorrow morning. We sent the mailing list earlier today. Which means, I know have to tell people that when they subscribe for the first time, their first issue will be the November issue, which goes in the mail October 25. .... When did this happen? How could I be talking about the November issue already? It was like 95 when I was riding a couple days ago...that is summer weather!
I guess Seal and Steve are right. Geez, it is depressing.

Camri has moved on to riding Shedaisy, my brother's old mule. They have gone on a couple of rides and are getting along swimmingly. Camri likes her beause "she is fast!" I think they will make a good team.

Weird

(via thehighdefinite.com)

Awesome Pumpkin

Chelsea Kennedy from Columbia, Mo., a friend of our family and client of my dads, created this awesome pumpkin carving of Hoosier and Camri.
I can't wait to show it to Camri. I just hope she knows her mom will not be able to carve anything close to this! Cam will be lucky if her pumpkin has two eyes and a mouth! :)
Thank you, Chelsea, for sharing this with us! It is so cool!

Busy Weekend

Sue is up at the Boone County Fairgrounds at in Columbia, Mo., for the sale this weekend. Cole, Dad, and I are headed to Locust Grove, Okla., for another showdeo today and tomorrow. Cam has a family reunion to attend, so she is not getting to go this time.
So it looks like we will be pretty busy this weekend. Which is OK. I don't mind being busy, especially since fall is so rapidly approaching, and it will start to get cool soon.
The October issue of Mules and More is now at the printers. Which means we are already working on November. That seems so weird to say...but I started a "11/10 Copy" folder today, so I know it's true!
Where did the summer go? I miss it already :(

deadmau5 - Dancing On My Own (Live)

deadmau5 - Dancing On My Own (Live)

I can't figure out how to get the video up, but after the link is a clip of Robyn at the VMAs. She is kind of my hero. Her dance moves are pretty sweet.

I've been doing web design work today. It gets a little dull, which would explain why I have been searching for Robyn videos for the last 15 minutes...

Redneck Swingset

Eh. No biggie.

So I'm working on a Saturday. I did get six days off last week, though, so I'm not complaining. I am in the process of printing lasers, then I will be out the door! I have got a very short "to do" list to finish up tomorrow, then I will have the October issue finished and ready to be sent to the printer.
This issue has a lot of interesting articles in it. It is nice when we get a wide variety like this.
Hopefully we see some of you next weekend. My grandma will be at the Boone County Mule Sale in Columbia, Mo., and the rest of us (minus Camri) will be at the Sycamore Springs Showdeo in Locust Grove, Okla.
Enjoy your weekend!

Back from the races...

I'm back from the National Championship Chuckwagon Races in Clinton, Ark. Most. Fun. Ever. Words can not even describe that place down there. Great time.

Buuuutttt now it is back to reality. I've got to get this magazine sent up to the printer by the 10th of the month. I highly doubt that will happen, but we will see. I'm going to include the chuckwagon races in the October issue, so send in your photos if you were there, too.

I've played this song on my ipod about 50 times today, I'm guessing it is pretty indicative of the type of mood I'm in:

I need to shake this weird mood. Maybe setting copy will do it?

World's Had Been Colliding

Jesse Lacey from Brand New covering Trailer Trash, one of my favorite Modest Mouse songs.

If you couldn't tell, I am a bit slap happy about my upcoming vacation and am having trouble focusing on work today.

Today's Jam...

I Am Endlessly Amused By This...

http://theuglydance.com/?v=kqxpggtmzp

So...

So I've been working in InDesign all day, and I went to import some text (which I thought I knew how to do...not true, apparently). Everything locked up, and I went to restart it, and it locked up on the restart, too...so I forced it to shut down. When I opened up my document, it hadn't autosaved or saved it's recovery file. So everything I did today is gone.

It was only about five hours worth of work. I guess it will be even more fun to do a second time!

I don't use emoticon's very often, but this is how I am currently feeling----> >:(

Ugh.

Whatever.

When Can I Quit?

Cam and my dad were on and ready to go riding before I even had my mule saddled yesterday. When I walked up with Maggie, I asked what they were talking about.

"Camri wants to know when she can quit school?"

I told her, "Well, you can stop when you are 18, but it will probably be more like 22."

When we were getting ready for bed last night, she wanted to know if she could leave school early. "You know, like after lunch or something?" I told her we would have to ask Mrs. Dintelman, but I didn't think that was allowed.

I think this might be a long year...

La De Da, La De Da...

Darlin' let loose and let your hair down
We're staying at home for a night on the town
So turn the music up, we'll dim the lights down
Let those old records keep spinnin' around
Replace all our worries with some romance
Tell me you love me, we'll shut up and dance...

First Day of KIndergarten

Today is Camri's first day of kindergarten. She was ready about 15 minutes before she needed to be because she was so excited. I walked her into her classroom, but didn't stay long after that... It was a little overwhelming.

I am anxious to go pick her up and hear all about her first day. I'm sure it is going great...but it is sad to think that she is going to have this whole set of people she knows that I don't. She is such a people person and makes friends so easily, I know she will be fine.

I can't believe that it is already time to start working on the OCTOBER issue of Mules and More. Even though it has been sooo hhhooottt, I'm not quite ready for summer to be over :(

Web Design

I put up new web content today...
August Over The Back Fence: Http://mulesandmore.com/otbf810.htm
Vibes by Max Harsha Http://mulesandmore.com/810max.htm
From Across the Pond...by Donna Taylor Http://mulesandmore.com/810taylor.htm
New picture page and classified ads are up, too.

In other news...HAPPY FRIDAY! :)
It's the weekend! Yay!

Things I Love

Here are a list of things I <3 right now:

1. That the September issue of Mules and More is on its way to the printer right this second.

2. The Texas country station on my Pandora- The Casey Donahew Band, Reckless Kelly, Josh Abbot Band, Aaron Watson.

3. Project 365 - It is a online photography project I joined where you upload a picture a day for one year.

4. That I don't have anywhere to be this weekend. (I've got a list, but it is to be done at my leisure :)

5. picnik.com - I just discovered this site, and I am in love with it. I edited the above picture of Camri with it. So neat!

Abetta Buddy Seat For Sale

We got this seat for Camri, who quickly decided she didn't want to ride behind on our mules and that she wanted to ride by herself. She used 5-10 times, maybe. It is in great condition.

$60

for more information/questions, email cori_allycen01@hotmail.com

Here is the description of this seat from another site:

"Now your little one can ride comfortably and more securely behind you. This Buddy Seat made in the USA by Abetta® features the following: * Shock absorbing closed cell foam jockey seat completely covered with Cordura® Nylon * Thick foam padded cantle and swell * Wide 2" nylon stirrup leathers with durable Ralide® stirrups * Heavy nylon hand straps * Securely attaches to parent's saddle with four adjustable nylon straps for a snug fit