It's a long standing, nearly unspoken rule in our house.
On Saturday mornings, I run my long run, and am to bring home doughnuts afterwards.
Period.
No questions or comments about how early or late I leave for said run. No questions in regards to the length of my run. Just one simple question as I am walking through the door.
"Did you bring doughnuts, Mom?"
I'm not claiming to be a crazy health nut, but I, for the most part, try to make good choices for myself and my kids. I also do not like doughnuts. Really. I am not a person who craves them, drools over Krispy Kremes, oogles over jelly filled creations, etc. I just don't like them. Give me my toast and Nutella, and I'm fine.
Joe, on the other hand, has never met a doughnut he doesn't enjoy.
So, when my kids became crazy doughnut lovers, like their father, I was not shocked.
However, this morning, as I walked through the door from a little 8ish mile jaunt, I was shocked, as my sweet baby boy, my inquisitive toddler met me at the door and proclaimed,
"Doughnuts?"
Oh boy...
I guess my husband's, and daughters' and now son's love of doughnuts will keep my long runs in business.
As long as the good folks at Casey's continue to crank them out!
Happy Saturday!
Linking up again with Holly and her 30 Days on a Prairie Farm series.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Friday, November 9, 2012
Day Nine: Love in the Pasture
Ten years ago, on November 9th, I was just a young, single teacher with a nice boyfriend.
Notice I didn't say, a young, single teacher in a great mood.
Because on November 9, 2002, I wasn't.
I had finished up a week of parent-teacher conferences only followed by a day off of school spent with the children I babysat at the Indianapolis Children's Museum.
I was tired, grouchy, in need of a nap, and instead, on November 9th, 2002, I was headed with my boyfriend, sweet, patient Joe Webel, to his parents' house for the weekend to celebrate his grandpa's birthday.
As I packed for the weekend, I received a call from my mom. Joe had visited their house earlier that day as he passed through on business, and Mom, recounting the dinner, said only, "Joe really likes you, Emily."
Okay...
"As in really likes you, honey. He is so nice."
"Thanks, Mom, I know he likes me, but I have to go."
See? Great mood, huh?
So, anyway, as we traveled to Western Illinois from Eastern Illinois, I remember two things:
Joe was a little twitchy acting.
And I had Chicken Pot Pie for dinner at Cheddar's.
Nice memory, huh?
When we arrived, Joe hustled me into the farm truck, claiming he wanted to take me to a pasture where he had some of his cows to check. As we made our way by truck and then by foot through the hilly terrain, I noticed two more things:
Joe was really dressed nicely to do chores.
And he was sweaty...I had to get this dude in SHAPE...I mean, come on, I'm a marathoner for heaven's sake.
So, upon arrival to the pasture, Joe started to get all mushy, putting his arm around me, and talking about how this is where he pictured us, together, on a farm.
Talk about foreshadowing!
After a few more nice sentiments, I noticed two more things:
Joe was down on one knee.
And, he had the ring I had admired in his HAND!!!!
He was asking ME to marry HIM!!
Me.
Married.
To Joe.
Holy cow (literally, as they were looking on with great interest.). No wonder why he was sweaty! It wasn't the hills...that boy was NERVOUS!!!!
Obviously, I said yes, as it has been a decade since my sixth graders dubbed this engagement story, "Love In the Pasture" (I have the congratulatory cards to prove it!).
We have been through a lot, mostly good, had a lot of kids, moved a bit, considered careers, changed them, figured out who we are as a couple, parents, true adults.
And in this decade, I have again noticed two things:
Joe is the same person who I said yes to ten years ago: steadfast, calm, driven, loving, and happy.
and, I'm still grouchy some of the time...
no, that's not my second thing, even though it's true.
In ten years I have figured out that the location for the engagement was great foreshadowing for our future, but more specifically, was and is still perfect for who we are.
While my city girl friends laughed at my dodging cow poop to get to this location, and my students thought it was funny that cattle watched as Joe dropped to his knee, I now look at that as just about picture perfect.
Our kids spent a lot of time in the pasture. There's love there...our four loves.
My husband is out there now, tending to his herd. There's love in the pasture for our animals.
Our livelihood is in the pasture, and it all started with that day, ten years ago.
I'm so glad I finally said yes...did I mention that? I was so excited that I. Was. Getting. Married...I forgot to say yes.
Thanks for asking me, Joe...I am so happy to be your wife.
This is part of the 30 Days on a Prairie Farm Series with Holly Spangler, and there are some awesome blogs to check out! Happy Reading!
Notice I didn't say, a young, single teacher in a great mood.
Because on November 9, 2002, I wasn't.
I had finished up a week of parent-teacher conferences only followed by a day off of school spent with the children I babysat at the Indianapolis Children's Museum.
I was tired, grouchy, in need of a nap, and instead, on November 9th, 2002, I was headed with my boyfriend, sweet, patient Joe Webel, to his parents' house for the weekend to celebrate his grandpa's birthday.
As I packed for the weekend, I received a call from my mom. Joe had visited their house earlier that day as he passed through on business, and Mom, recounting the dinner, said only, "Joe really likes you, Emily."
Okay...
"As in really likes you, honey. He is so nice."
"Thanks, Mom, I know he likes me, but I have to go."
See? Great mood, huh?
So, anyway, as we traveled to Western Illinois from Eastern Illinois, I remember two things:
Joe was a little twitchy acting.
And I had Chicken Pot Pie for dinner at Cheddar's.
Nice memory, huh?
When we arrived, Joe hustled me into the farm truck, claiming he wanted to take me to a pasture where he had some of his cows to check. As we made our way by truck and then by foot through the hilly terrain, I noticed two more things:
Joe was really dressed nicely to do chores.
And he was sweaty...I had to get this dude in SHAPE...I mean, come on, I'm a marathoner for heaven's sake.
So, upon arrival to the pasture, Joe started to get all mushy, putting his arm around me, and talking about how this is where he pictured us, together, on a farm.
Talk about foreshadowing!
After a few more nice sentiments, I noticed two more things:
Joe was down on one knee.
And, he had the ring I had admired in his HAND!!!!
He was asking ME to marry HIM!!
Me.
Married.
To Joe.
Holy cow (literally, as they were looking on with great interest.). No wonder why he was sweaty! It wasn't the hills...that boy was NERVOUS!!!!
Obviously, I said yes, as it has been a decade since my sixth graders dubbed this engagement story, "Love In the Pasture" (I have the congratulatory cards to prove it!).
We have been through a lot, mostly good, had a lot of kids, moved a bit, considered careers, changed them, figured out who we are as a couple, parents, true adults.
And in this decade, I have again noticed two things:
Joe is the same person who I said yes to ten years ago: steadfast, calm, driven, loving, and happy.
and, I'm still grouchy some of the time...
no, that's not my second thing, even though it's true.
In ten years I have figured out that the location for the engagement was great foreshadowing for our future, but more specifically, was and is still perfect for who we are.
While my city girl friends laughed at my dodging cow poop to get to this location, and my students thought it was funny that cattle watched as Joe dropped to his knee, I now look at that as just about picture perfect.
Our kids spent a lot of time in the pasture. There's love there...our four loves.
My husband is out there now, tending to his herd. There's love in the pasture for our animals.
Our livelihood is in the pasture, and it all started with that day, ten years ago.
I'm so glad I finally said yes...did I mention that? I was so excited that I. Was. Getting. Married...I forgot to say yes.
Thanks for asking me, Joe...I am so happy to be your wife.
This is part of the 30 Days on a Prairie Farm Series with Holly Spangler, and there are some awesome blogs to check out! Happy Reading!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Day 8: Old and New
In our operation, the farmers pride themselves on using cutting edge technology to best apply, plant, harvest, manage, market, etc. It is something the guys believe in, invest in, and continue to update. One could say our machine shed is full of pretty high tech stuff.
And then, deep within the sheds, amongst the track tractor, the combine that drives itself, and the GPS equipped planter, are little gems, little pictures into the past, ones that require a jump start or a tow when they need to come out of the shed.
Like this one:
I should have taken a picture of my dad using his John Deere 4020 to pull this little guy down the road. It was a sight, but it was also cold and rainy, and I was comfy and warm, so there you go.
Anyway, this is a John Deere 70, which some of you will know more about than me, and can certainly correct me, but this little guy was a jack of all trades. While it was generally considered a 4 plow tractor (which means it had 4 things that turned up the soil), my Grandpa Bud bought it in either 1954 or 1955 in Yates City (which is funny because there's only a convenience store and bars to purchase things in Yates City now) to basically do everything on the farm. While we have a machine shed full of tractors, each more specialized than the next, this little guy did everything on their farm during the mid-50s. Plowing, cultivating, pulling the baler, hauling manure...it did everything.
The thing that strikes me about this little tractor is that it is, in fact, little. All of our tractors, even Joe's smallish chore tractor, have not only bells and whistles, but SIZE. The new tractors require steps to get into their heated and air conditioned cabs, while this dude has none...well maybe one. This is truly a little engine that could.
The great thing about it, is that this is going on a spa retreat. This 70 is going to a neighboring farmer, who also does our custom spraying and scouting for us and leads the local 4H club. Mr. Emken will work for weeks, possibly months, cleaning, painting and restoring this 70 to its 1950eque glory. While we won't be using it to pull a baler or haul manure, it may make an appearance in a parade pulling a float a few times a year.
I think this is really fascinating, this juxtaposition of high tech and old timey. This is the beauty of farm life and lineage. We are constantly combining old and new, high and low tech, generation to generation.
That is something you just don't get everywhere.
30 Days of Life on A Prairie Farm Series
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five
Day Six
Day Seven
And, Holly Spangler, the Queen of the Prairie, and her motherpost to all the other bloggers she convinced to do this with!!!
And then, deep within the sheds, amongst the track tractor, the combine that drives itself, and the GPS equipped planter, are little gems, little pictures into the past, ones that require a jump start or a tow when they need to come out of the shed.
Like this one:
I should have taken a picture of my dad using his John Deere 4020 to pull this little guy down the road. It was a sight, but it was also cold and rainy, and I was comfy and warm, so there you go.
Anyway, this is a John Deere 70, which some of you will know more about than me, and can certainly correct me, but this little guy was a jack of all trades. While it was generally considered a 4 plow tractor (which means it had 4 things that turned up the soil), my Grandpa Bud bought it in either 1954 or 1955 in Yates City (which is funny because there's only a convenience store and bars to purchase things in Yates City now) to basically do everything on the farm. While we have a machine shed full of tractors, each more specialized than the next, this little guy did everything on their farm during the mid-50s. Plowing, cultivating, pulling the baler, hauling manure...it did everything.
The thing that strikes me about this little tractor is that it is, in fact, little. All of our tractors, even Joe's smallish chore tractor, have not only bells and whistles, but SIZE. The new tractors require steps to get into their heated and air conditioned cabs, while this dude has none...well maybe one. This is truly a little engine that could.
The great thing about it, is that this is going on a spa retreat. This 70 is going to a neighboring farmer, who also does our custom spraying and scouting for us and leads the local 4H club. Mr. Emken will work for weeks, possibly months, cleaning, painting and restoring this 70 to its 1950eque glory. While we won't be using it to pull a baler or haul manure, it may make an appearance in a parade pulling a float a few times a year.
I think this is really fascinating, this juxtaposition of high tech and old timey. This is the beauty of farm life and lineage. We are constantly combining old and new, high and low tech, generation to generation.
That is something you just don't get everywhere.
30 Days of Life on A Prairie Farm Series
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five
Day Six
Day Seven
And, Holly Spangler, the Queen of the Prairie, and her motherpost to all the other bloggers she convinced to do this with!!!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Day Seven: Hacking and Harumph
No, we're not coughing...I'm just sitting at Joe's computer (as mine is not doing so well, and sitting in the trunk of my car. Why won't it get to Nerds on Call by itself?), and I started to troll through his Facebook page, forgetting that it was his, not mine, and came across a clip from Mel Brooks' movie, Blazing Saddles.
Which is neither PC nor serious, but funny if you're not taking life too seriously.
While this is generally not a political blog, as I'm not a super political person, I tend to believe that folks get too worked up about the election, and then gloat in the end, either outcome, either partyline, etc. Which in my humble opinion is annoying.
We're trying to fix that, at our house, as we explain it to our kids. We told Anna, our seven year old, this morning that President Obama was still the President, and when she started to protest, as she did not vote for Obama in the school's election (citing that she had to defend her choice on the playground against kids who said Romney was going to take away Cartoon Network...or PBS...either way, it's just spin and misinterpretation, right?), we explained to her that while she may have disagreed with the outcome of the election, he is our leader, and we have to be respectful of that.
Harumph?
Harumph.
Anyway, while we conservative Midwesterners are a little nervous at the outcome (did you see all the red in the middle, and then a blue win? Tell me when politics or anyone worries about the Midwest, and then I'll get more political), as more government sometimes equals more difficulties as far as agriculture goes, we're ready to move on, and I guess, gulp, move forward.
So enjoy this silly video, and while it's a little crude and crass, there is some truth to protecting phoney baloney jobs, which is funny and sad at the same time.
Harumph.
Which is neither PC nor serious, but funny if you're not taking life too seriously.
While this is generally not a political blog, as I'm not a super political person, I tend to believe that folks get too worked up about the election, and then gloat in the end, either outcome, either partyline, etc. Which in my humble opinion is annoying.
We're trying to fix that, at our house, as we explain it to our kids. We told Anna, our seven year old, this morning that President Obama was still the President, and when she started to protest, as she did not vote for Obama in the school's election (citing that she had to defend her choice on the playground against kids who said Romney was going to take away Cartoon Network...or PBS...either way, it's just spin and misinterpretation, right?), we explained to her that while she may have disagreed with the outcome of the election, he is our leader, and we have to be respectful of that.
Harumph?
Harumph.
Anyway, while we conservative Midwesterners are a little nervous at the outcome (did you see all the red in the middle, and then a blue win? Tell me when politics or anyone worries about the Midwest, and then I'll get more political), as more government sometimes equals more difficulties as far as agriculture goes, we're ready to move on, and I guess, gulp, move forward.
So enjoy this silly video, and while it's a little crude and crass, there is some truth to protecting phoney baloney jobs, which is funny and sad at the same time.
Harumph.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Day Six: Polls in a Small Town
"It's Webel...W-E-B-E-L."
"What?"
"Webel....W-E-B (as in boy)-E-L...I'm not from here."
"Oh...there it is."
That was the conversation I had with our electoral judge this morning at 6:20. I was sweaty from a run, clad in a hat and running tights, hoping not to make too much of a spectacle, looking (and smelling) so nasty.
However, when your electoral judge can't hear, nor are you from our small town, one can't help but make a spectacle when one is YELLING the SPELLING of one's name.
Ironically, I think I am distantly related to the dude, but whatever.
Anyway, Joe rolled in about 7:45, and he was voter number 100. There wasn't a balloon drop, but in Yates City, population (on a good day) 500ish, 100 voters by 7:45 is huge, considering last local election there were 80 voters.
Total.
We are in the midst of the election, obviously, and while we are just a polling place where 100 voters in a morning is a big deal, we are all still out, doing our civic duty and trying to make our voices heard.
Whether you're standing in line in the city or yelling out the spelling of your name, enjoy today...enjoy our right to vote, choose (kind of, but that's another post altogether) our leaders, and for heaven's sake get rid of all the Debbie Downer political ads.
Happy election day!
30 Days on a Prairie Farm Series:
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five
and Holly Spangler's motherposts!!!
"What?"
"Webel....W-E-B (as in boy)-E-L...I'm not from here."
"Oh...there it is."
That was the conversation I had with our electoral judge this morning at 6:20. I was sweaty from a run, clad in a hat and running tights, hoping not to make too much of a spectacle, looking (and smelling) so nasty.
However, when your electoral judge can't hear, nor are you from our small town, one can't help but make a spectacle when one is YELLING the SPELLING of one's name.
Ironically, I think I am distantly related to the dude, but whatever.
Anyway, Joe rolled in about 7:45, and he was voter number 100. There wasn't a balloon drop, but in Yates City, population (on a good day) 500ish, 100 voters by 7:45 is huge, considering last local election there were 80 voters.
Total.
We are in the midst of the election, obviously, and while we are just a polling place where 100 voters in a morning is a big deal, we are all still out, doing our civic duty and trying to make our voices heard.
Whether you're standing in line in the city or yelling out the spelling of your name, enjoy today...enjoy our right to vote, choose (kind of, but that's another post altogether) our leaders, and for heaven's sake get rid of all the Debbie Downer political ads.
Happy election day!
30 Days on a Prairie Farm Series:
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five
and Holly Spangler's motherposts!!!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Day Five: We're Done and Moving On
There's much to be thankful for around here.
First and foremost, we're finished with harvest as of about 7:00 last night.
Whoo-hoo!!!!!
I wanted Joe to take a picture of the last pass through the bean field, but it's so dark, you can only see headlights shining.
Thus the reason I am not a photographer...ever.
Anyway, no rest for the weary, as time still marches on, as far as the farm is concerned. So different from other professions, isn't it? As a teacher, my first day of summer break was spent going "AHHHHHHHhhhhhhhh..." Joe's first day of this non-harvest day: chores early and now hauling the last of the beans to the elevator. Not a lot of Ahhhhhh time on the couch, but mentally, he's happily moving on.
There's something about finishing anything that gives one a sense of calm, satisfaction, respite, accomplishment, and also a sense of moving on. Especially in this year of craziness, we're ready for another stage. Let's forget this year of ups and downs and drought and breakdowns and move on.
We're thankful to be involved in agriculture, but it is not for the weak, thus my mood swings when I'm just the one who has to feed the farmers, not operate anything!
So here's to another harvest in the books, and for moving on.
Ahhhhhhhh....
30 Days on a Prairie Farm Series:
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
and Holly Spangler's motherposts!!!
First and foremost, we're finished with harvest as of about 7:00 last night.
Whoo-hoo!!!!!
I wanted Joe to take a picture of the last pass through the bean field, but it's so dark, you can only see headlights shining.
Thus the reason I am not a photographer...ever.
Anyway, no rest for the weary, as time still marches on, as far as the farm is concerned. So different from other professions, isn't it? As a teacher, my first day of summer break was spent going "AHHHHHHHhhhhhhhh..." Joe's first day of this non-harvest day: chores early and now hauling the last of the beans to the elevator. Not a lot of Ahhhhhh time on the couch, but mentally, he's happily moving on.
There's something about finishing anything that gives one a sense of calm, satisfaction, respite, accomplishment, and also a sense of moving on. Especially in this year of craziness, we're ready for another stage. Let's forget this year of ups and downs and drought and breakdowns and move on.
We're thankful to be involved in agriculture, but it is not for the weak, thus my mood swings when I'm just the one who has to feed the farmers, not operate anything!
So here's to another harvest in the books, and for moving on.
Ahhhhhhhh....
30 Days on a Prairie Farm Series:
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
and Holly Spangler's motherposts!!!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Day Four: Lost and Found
Well...there's a little bit more excitement around here, and no, it's not because the last 42 acres have been harvested and the combine has been put away for the year (that would be too much to ask for, right?).
Nope. While Joe is off pacing around the unharvested last bit, willing the ground and beans to dry, we're here at home, enjoying the company of a new dog.
As in, another animal.
Like, another life to enjoy, take care of, feed, clean up after...
can you tell I'm super excited.
Sorry all of you animal lovers out there. This little guy is a sweet, well mannered, calm beagle that came to the farm yesterday. However, have I ever mentioned that I am not used to animals? Have I ever shared that this whole world of pets and livestock and random animals that come to stay is rather new to me. Besides a few failed attempts at having kittens (only to be gotten rid of thanks to fleas and walking on my dad's pristine vehicles), a few goldfish attempts (aren't they all?), I am completely clueless to what it's like to own, love, care for and understand an animal. I don't think it's in me. It's not that I would abuse or mistreat an animal, I just don't have it in my genetics.
Joe, however, does...which I guess is good, because that means my kids have the love for animals.
So, I'm outnumbered, and after a trip to the vet this week to see if the animal has an identification chip in it and/or rabies, and then a week of asking around, we might be keeping Buddy as the girls have already named him.
I'm trying.
I'm trying to be excited that maybe our already crazy and high strung farm dog Sadie might be crazy and high strung because she needs a friend.
I'm trying.
I'm also realistic on two accounts. This is a nice dog. There's probably a lovely family who is missing their family pet. We've made a few fliers, thanks to our second grader.
I also remember, as a kid, coming out here to this exact house to find a new cat or dog that was dumped on the roadside. Yes, dumped. Isn't that sad? Even a non-animal person like myself knows that that is sad. So, I'm realistic that this dog might have just been left, and we're going to be his new family.
I'm trying to be okay with now scooping poop for two dogs.
Bleh.
Anyway, in this month of thankfulness, I should be thankful that my girls are so loving an caring and not a heartless Type A neat freak like their mother, and rejoice in the fact that we may have another animal to love on this place.
Right?
Right.
But, if you're reading this and are missing a lovely animal...please let me know!
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
and Miss Holly's 30 Days of Life on a Prairie Farm series that is causing all this crazy blogging can be found here.
Nope. While Joe is off pacing around the unharvested last bit, willing the ground and beans to dry, we're here at home, enjoying the company of a new dog.
As in, another animal.
Like, another life to enjoy, take care of, feed, clean up after...
can you tell I'm super excited.
Sorry all of you animal lovers out there. This little guy is a sweet, well mannered, calm beagle that came to the farm yesterday. However, have I ever mentioned that I am not used to animals? Have I ever shared that this whole world of pets and livestock and random animals that come to stay is rather new to me. Besides a few failed attempts at having kittens (only to be gotten rid of thanks to fleas and walking on my dad's pristine vehicles), a few goldfish attempts (aren't they all?), I am completely clueless to what it's like to own, love, care for and understand an animal. I don't think it's in me. It's not that I would abuse or mistreat an animal, I just don't have it in my genetics.
Joe, however, does...which I guess is good, because that means my kids have the love for animals.
So, I'm outnumbered, and after a trip to the vet this week to see if the animal has an identification chip in it and/or rabies, and then a week of asking around, we might be keeping Buddy as the girls have already named him.
I'm trying.
I'm trying to be excited that maybe our already crazy and high strung farm dog Sadie might be crazy and high strung because she needs a friend.
I'm trying.
I'm also realistic on two accounts. This is a nice dog. There's probably a lovely family who is missing their family pet. We've made a few fliers, thanks to our second grader.
I'm trying to be okay with now scooping poop for two dogs.
Bleh.
Anyway, in this month of thankfulness, I should be thankful that my girls are so loving an caring and not a heartless Type A neat freak like their mother, and rejoice in the fact that we may have another animal to love on this place.
Right?
Right.
But, if you're reading this and are missing a lovely animal...please let me know!
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
and Miss Holly's 30 Days of Life on a Prairie Farm series that is causing all this crazy blogging can be found here.
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