What Was I Waiting For?

We’re having a deja vu moment.  We’ve been here before.  But, alas, Hollywood did not call when I pitched my “Biggest Looser.. Cowgirl Edition” to them.  Oh well, we’ll just do what most grown up Cowgirl’s do …. buy a bigger saddle. (metaphor for jeans).

On last Sunday I decided I wanted to compete in a big Ranch Sorting in Oklahoma on Saturday. Thus giving myself 5 days to prepare. So far Paint has not shown the proper enthusiasm for my project. But I know he’ll have a good time once he gets there.

Sometimes preparation can be a bitch. Especially if you wait until the last minute. Hey, I got a mani/pedi today, too.  You don’t see me complaining or trying to eat somebody’s hat.

All jokes aside for a moment …. just a moment. I have some goals for the year of 2012.  Not so much goals as a big question for myself. The  question to myself is this :

“What the HELL are you waiting for?”

Really. What have I been waiting for to pursue my passions? The things that fill me up. The things that I love. I’ve had Paint for 5 years. I have a passion for cattle work and Ranch Sorting Competitions with Paint. We’ve had a bit of success, but I don’t keep going with it. It seems like I’m always waiting for something to happen or not happen so I can go.

What am I waiting for? …… Permission?  OK, I’ll write myself a permission slip.

What else? ……  A partner?  (it’s a 2-person event) I’ll enter the “draw” and let God pick my partner.

All I need now is some courage and confidence.

 A little exercise and winning attitude would help.

And a new purple party dress !!!

So Friday  I loaded up my courage and my travel partners and headed south to Purcell, Oklahoma.  I admit I was a little nervous driving down there by myself with Paint.

It’s been a few years since I travelled with a horse at all, much less by myself. Do I have everything I need? What if I have a flat or something like that ….. What if, what if, what it? …That’s my evil twin talking. I wish she would just shut up.

I check Ol’ Paint in his hotel room. Believe me it’s nicer than the dump I staid in. Oh well, I try not to think about it. It’s the stuff that recurring nightmares are made of. I’m so tired that it almost doesn’t matter.

We saddle up early Saturday morning at the McClain County Expo Center. Loads of people and hundreds of teams were warming up and signing up.  I experienced an unexpected serenity about being here.  A quiet confidence  came over me. Even though I knew absolutely no one (yet), I felt at peace.  Paint was Paint. Just another day at work for him.

I had my “Big Girl Chaps” on and I entered every class 3 times.  That’s 5 classes X 3 rides each( 15 rides)  with total strangers …. mostly men…. who didn’t know me or Paint from “Adam (or Eve) “

But they do now …. We’re strangers no more. Paint was his usual awesome self and God did choose me some great partners.

Like Gary here.  We drew up together in almost every class. We made the short go 4 times and won a First and a Second. I won a Third with another partner.

That got me a High Point Buckle for the day. It was a day I’ll never forget. The day I answered my own question ……

What am I waiting for ?  ……

“I ain’t waitin’ for nuthin’ no more.”  ***

Love,  Cowgirl Red   aka  Terah

P.S.   Puncher had to be in the “buckle photo”.  She can’t stand for Paint to steal her thunder.

P.S.S.  *** My apologies to the Tulsa Public School System.

P.S.S.S. If I attach this buckle to a belt and wear it I will officially have two bellies, one over and one under and that will hurt. So until Hollywood calls for my show I will settle for just looking at it for now. That was one of the things I was waiting for.