It’s 11:34 on Saturday night. I’m sitting at the kitchen table listening to my dogs bark and procrastinating packing for our favorite rodeo of the year, Rodeo Rapid City. We leave tomorrow.
A lot of people in the last few months have asked, “Oh it’s winter now, you guys are probably winding down.” “There are no rodeos up here in the winter, right?” “You made it! Now a break.” Wrong. We traveled to Vegas twice in two weeks. Once for the Indian National Finals Rodeo and back again the end of November for the National Finals Rodeo. Both humbling experiences and grateful for the opportunity, we always love a good Vegas trip. So very grateful to share our NFR experience with friends that feel like family. Thankful for our 4th trip the bright lights to document another fantastic NFR.
We quite literally raced home to outrun a snow storm. We made it safely and parked in the garage as it had started raining about 100 miles from home. We learned our Viva Sue loves the snow, that the when the wind blows just right the drift is as tall as me right outside the front door and that we are so tired of shoveling but still grateful for our very own driveway to take care of! We decided on a home purge that we are still in the middle of but I'm sure only started from being stir crazy at home (I'm not sure why I complain. With Clay working from home he feels like he is home. I, on the other hand, feel like we are on the road more than in my own bed.) Our holidays were quiet and chill and the salon has stayed busy in between road trips.
We packed our bags and headed to Montana the second week of January. The further west we drove the less snow there was. We were welcomed with 45 degree weather for most of the week. Such a nice change of pace. Clay's family joined us from Arizona and Caleb competed in his first circuit finals appearance. He roped smart and well and we are so proud of him! My heart was bursting; he rode his black horse "Blackie", who he purchased from me in the fall of 2018. He has done such a great job with him and I'm so glad I know where my little project horse ended up.
Home again, home again to do laundry. work all week at the salon and repack for Rodeo Rapid City.
I can't believe it's this time again. I can't believe it's been a year since the big proposal (that I still haven't written about). This is year 5 for us. 5 years of growing RodeoReady with the BEST people that saw some kind of weird connection in the two of us, that kept believing in us, that gave us the confidence to just go out and do what we do! I'm so thankful for that. Here we come Rapid; back to a big opportunity, with bigger ideas than the first time and hugs packed away to share with all our favorites over the next two weeks. Do you see where I'm going with us? Do you understand my title now? If I've said it once, I've said it one thousand times and I won't stop saying it! RodeoReady grew up on seizing opportunities, taking chances and connecting with like minded people that love rodeo and good people. Ah, my heart.
If you're in Rapid come say hi! We can't wait to be back the Summit arena at the Monument
See you somewhere
Ty (& Clay)