So it's the last day of Holly's 30 Day Challenge, and because I've always been a bed maker, in-the-line colorer, rule follower, I am sorry that I missed two days of the challenge.
One being yesterday, and it wasn't because I was at home with the kids with the power off...
that would be Joe, who I think is happy to be doing chores by himself this morning, as I was off gallivanting with some girlfriends in honor of one of them moving. We were off celebrating with shrimp scampi and Banana Republic, and Joe was dealing with children who are used to lights, TV, and running water.
Spoiled little children.
Anyway, all is well at our house, electrically, so back to my original thought.
Rules.
I embarked on this challenge at a time when I was frustrated with our farming lifestyle. I was upset with myself for agreeing to this challenge because, even though blogging is something I like to do, committing to doing it every day, and making sure it was still entertaining and grammatically correct was going to be something that could become a stress. I'm a rule follower, however, and I agreed to do it, and I was going to do it, darn it! Even if that meant blogging in the midst of interviewing for a new job, in the throws of the final days of harvest, not to mention my already lovely, wonderful, but young children...life was hectic. Even though I had to miss two days (and that drives me nuts), this challenge made me stop, sit down, and document all the great, funny, weird, and frustrating events that happen on our farm.
Let me recap a little bit November for you...
We finished harvest.
We gained a dog.
We sent a tractor to be restored.
We were on the cover of a magazine.
We didn't win a contest.
We have a friend who may win aforementioned contest, and that is awesome.
I went back to work (part time).
Josie had a birthday.
The weather changed to cold, and my hair froze.
The weather changed back to warm, and we're all confused at what day it is.
We had Thanksgiving, and realized we have a lot to be thankful for.
We will be welcoming lots of baby calves in the spring.
I had lots of opinions on bacon and turkey and PETA.
And that's just a few.
Although the rule follower in me knows that I missed a few days, the rule follower in me knows that Holly's challenge allowed me to do more than just blah-blah blog for 30 days. Her challenge was more than just 30 days of writing. It was 30 days of noticing, noting, and sitting down and documenting all the events that were happening in our lives, big and small.
So, here's the end. It's appropriate, in my OCD, rule following personality that this challenge finishes up on a Friday. It ties it up in a neat little bow.
I'm thankful I accepted this challenge, and thankful that I'm done.
Holly's 30 Days on a Prairie Farm blogging challenge can be found right here.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Day 28: Preg Check
Nope.
Not me.
The mama cows.
Yesterday Joe spent the majority of his day "in the southbound end of a northbound cow" (one of my least favorite phrases ala Joe Webel). The vet, the vet tech (who is a woman, a friend of my friend, and who evidently was keeping Joe in check when he was making comparisons between me and the cows...another not so favorite thing of mine!), and Joe, along with a neighbor's hired man checked another group of our cows, seventy, I think, to see if they were indeed pregnant.
This is quite a process. While I am well versed in the art of preg-checking myself...thanks to the good folks at First Response...cows are a lot less excited to be preg checked. Now, there isn't an enormous stick they need to pee on (sorry Mom, this is way too graphic), which is what I thought would be the case. It's a lot more intense. It's a lot more wrangling and getting them in the chute and then YOWZA...they're checked.
I'm making the cattle folks who read this roll their eyes at my lack of knowledge in this area, but really, I was surprised at how labor (no pun intended) intensive this process is. Joe spent the morning getting this group (because he does them in shifts, on different days) moved to the right place, settled, and comfortably close to the chute and corral where the preg checking would take place. Then, after lunch, the vet and vet tech and helper came and they had to do more wrangling and a lot of getting in these girls' business.
I will spare you the details...as I don't even want to know!
Anyway, my point to this post is not to gross you out, but to congratulate another section of our herd on their big announcement(s). This is our commodity, and we need these girls (young and old) to produce so that we can keep our herd going. Joe is a good breeder, and works with not just the basics of caring for the herd, but also keeps their genetics in mind when breeding them. Bulls are chosen based on a laundry list of "good traits," and once the mamas have had one baby (thus becoming bred heifers...which I have been referred to...isn't that lovely?), Joe considers how they birthed, how they cared for their newborns, nursed, etc. before considering breeding them or selling them off.
It's a process.
I wonder if I was chosen by my cattle man based upon an annotated version of this list.
I don't even want to know.
Linking up with Miss Holly for her 30 Days on a Prairie Farm series!!
Not me.
The mama cows.
Yesterday Joe spent the majority of his day "in the southbound end of a northbound cow" (one of my least favorite phrases ala Joe Webel). The vet, the vet tech (who is a woman, a friend of my friend, and who evidently was keeping Joe in check when he was making comparisons between me and the cows...another not so favorite thing of mine!), and Joe, along with a neighbor's hired man checked another group of our cows, seventy, I think, to see if they were indeed pregnant.
This is quite a process. While I am well versed in the art of preg-checking myself...thanks to the good folks at First Response...cows are a lot less excited to be preg checked. Now, there isn't an enormous stick they need to pee on (sorry Mom, this is way too graphic), which is what I thought would be the case. It's a lot more intense. It's a lot more wrangling and getting them in the chute and then YOWZA...they're checked.
I'm making the cattle folks who read this roll their eyes at my lack of knowledge in this area, but really, I was surprised at how labor (no pun intended) intensive this process is. Joe spent the morning getting this group (because he does them in shifts, on different days) moved to the right place, settled, and comfortably close to the chute and corral where the preg checking would take place. Then, after lunch, the vet and vet tech and helper came and they had to do more wrangling and a lot of getting in these girls' business.
I will spare you the details...as I don't even want to know!
Anyway, my point to this post is not to gross you out, but to congratulate another section of our herd on their big announcement(s). This is our commodity, and we need these girls (young and old) to produce so that we can keep our herd going. Joe is a good breeder, and works with not just the basics of caring for the herd, but also keeps their genetics in mind when breeding them. Bulls are chosen based on a laundry list of "good traits," and once the mamas have had one baby (thus becoming bred heifers...which I have been referred to...isn't that lovely?), Joe considers how they birthed, how they cared for their newborns, nursed, etc. before considering breeding them or selling them off.
It's a process.
I wonder if I was chosen by my cattle man based upon an annotated version of this list.
I don't even want to know.
Linking up with Miss Holly for her 30 Days on a Prairie Farm series!!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Day 27: Josie
Josie.
Oh dear, sweet, loving, emotional, dramatic, loyal...and now SIX YEAR OLD Josie.
Today is our Josie's sixth birthday, and we are excited for the day, not just because the morning included presents, singing, and lots of delighted squeals, but that it is the culmination of Josie's birthday countdown. Since November 1st, we have been counting down as a family (mainly Josie) the days until November 27th.
And now it's here, and we've opened presents, sent her to school with a birthday snack, and will continue the celebration this evening.
Josie is our wild card, for sure. As much as Joe and Anna are peas in a farm-kid pod, Jos and I are more alike than not. From our body language (she likes her hands on her hips, too...not so cute when she's being smarty...which is another similarity, but I digress) to our expressions to our love of all things dramatic and sparkly, Jos is my girl, for sure. I'm not saying that I favor her over the others, I just understand her.
I get her.
She's like me.
As a baby, Josie was "sewious" (serious), as Anna would say. She was (and still is) the most moody of our kids. We sometimes even call her Jekyll and Jos because one minute she'll be on top of the world, and the next, she's whiny and grouchy and irritated.
Like her mother.
However, that makes her a fiercely loyal kid. Josie loves to be covered in friends, always making new ones, no matter where she goes. She is known throughout the kindergarten by all the kids...which makes me proud and nervous at the same time! She has no fear of adults, especially at school, and has been known to not only converse with the superintendent while standing in the lunch line, but also ask Anna's teacher while in the hallway how "Anna was doing in school?"
She's my girl...she could talk to a brick wall and get it to talk back!
It's such an exciting day. As a mother, I spend the birthdays of my children recounting the actual birth, and remembering all the firsts. It's a bittersweet day, as it began with all the joy a new Barbie and fur vest can bring to a girly six year old, and continues with me holding my sweet little girl, wondering who she will be and how she could possibly be this perfect.
We are so blessed to have Josie in our lives. Although she's the littlest in size of our crew, she's going to do big things, I just know it. It's in her. She's got that spark...
like her mother, right??
Happy birthday, Sweet Jos!
Linking up with Holly and her 30 Days on a Prairie Farm series...even though I forgot yesterday!
Oh dear, sweet, loving, emotional, dramatic, loyal...and now SIX YEAR OLD Josie.
Today is our Josie's sixth birthday, and we are excited for the day, not just because the morning included presents, singing, and lots of delighted squeals, but that it is the culmination of Josie's birthday countdown. Since November 1st, we have been counting down as a family (mainly Josie) the days until November 27th.
And now it's here, and we've opened presents, sent her to school with a birthday snack, and will continue the celebration this evening.
Josie is our wild card, for sure. As much as Joe and Anna are peas in a farm-kid pod, Jos and I are more alike than not. From our body language (she likes her hands on her hips, too...not so cute when she's being smarty...which is another similarity, but I digress) to our expressions to our love of all things dramatic and sparkly, Jos is my girl, for sure. I'm not saying that I favor her over the others, I just understand her.
I get her.
She's like me.
As a baby, Josie was "sewious" (serious), as Anna would say. She was (and still is) the most moody of our kids. We sometimes even call her Jekyll and Jos because one minute she'll be on top of the world, and the next, she's whiny and grouchy and irritated.
Like her mother.
However, that makes her a fiercely loyal kid. Josie loves to be covered in friends, always making new ones, no matter where she goes. She is known throughout the kindergarten by all the kids...which makes me proud and nervous at the same time! She has no fear of adults, especially at school, and has been known to not only converse with the superintendent while standing in the lunch line, but also ask Anna's teacher while in the hallway how "Anna was doing in school?"
She's my girl...she could talk to a brick wall and get it to talk back!
It's such an exciting day. As a mother, I spend the birthdays of my children recounting the actual birth, and remembering all the firsts. It's a bittersweet day, as it began with all the joy a new Barbie and fur vest can bring to a girly six year old, and continues with me holding my sweet little girl, wondering who she will be and how she could possibly be this perfect.
We are so blessed to have Josie in our lives. Although she's the littlest in size of our crew, she's going to do big things, I just know it. It's in her. She's got that spark...
like her mother, right??
Linking up with Holly and her 30 Days on a Prairie Farm series...even though I forgot yesterday!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Day 25: Willing to Work
I have always known that the occupation known as farming is not for the weak: physically or emotionally. It is not for the lazy. It is not for the ones who are uncomfortable with unpredictability, situations one cannot control, etc., etc.
This is probably obvious to most of you.
However, it doesn't mean that those who are in the thick of farming as their livelihood enjoy unpredictability, situations beyond our control, Sundays when our husbands come home from church, continue to work, eat lunch and then leave again to work.
I am not faulting Joe. This is not a grouchy wife post where I'm really wanting him to read between the lines and put up the Christmas lights or rub my feet while we watch a cheesy Lifetime movie.
I hate Lifetime movies! I do love a good foot rub, however...hmmmmm..
I'm digressing.
I'm saying that farming, particularly large scale livestock farming, is not for those who enjoy hobbies, vacations, afternoons off, walks in the park, and the like.
It's a full time, all the time, job.
It's hard. It's frustrating at times not just from a scheduling perspective (have I mentioned that Joe and I planned on getting away some time before calving, and that's looking like maybe not until 2014. Sigh.), but from the perspective that it's Thanksgiving weekend, and although we have enjoyed time off to spend with family, while the banks are closed and the factories are for the most part still, Joe's still feeding. While I spent a nice Saturday afternoon with friends, Anna spent it at a birthday party, and the world seemed to be Christmas shopping, Joe was working on water tanks to get them to light so that the cows would have water. On a Sunday afternoon when one should be napping, he's off feeding hay, checking fence, and re-checking the water tanks.
Some times I think this isn't fair, but some times I also think it's self-inflicted, this lifestyle, this commitment to work. It's always been that a livestock farmer works his or her tail off no matter when, no matter what, so I should just get used to it.
Unlike my change of heart with the school bus, I don't see myself becoming okay with chores on early Sunday morning or Christmas or during crummy weather. I don't see myself wishing Joe could work more.
Not that I'm one of those crazy wives who needs to be with her husband 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, I just wish we could have a weekend off, for heaven's sake.
So, with that, I guess I'll turn this bummer of a thought around and be thankful that I have a husband who is willing to work so hard. I should be thankful that he's not around all the time, watching my every move, as I teeter on chairs decorating the tops of the cabinets for Christmas (which makes him nervous). I choose to be thankful that he's teaching our kids the value of work, and how rewarding it is.
I guess I'll work on teaching my kids the value of vacation, and start saving for 2014!
Last week to link up with Holly and her 30 Days of Life on a Prairie Farm!
This is probably obvious to most of you.
However, it doesn't mean that those who are in the thick of farming as their livelihood enjoy unpredictability, situations beyond our control, Sundays when our husbands come home from church, continue to work, eat lunch and then leave again to work.
I am not faulting Joe. This is not a grouchy wife post where I'm really wanting him to read between the lines and put up the Christmas lights or rub my feet while we watch a cheesy Lifetime movie.
I hate Lifetime movies! I do love a good foot rub, however...hmmmmm..
I'm digressing.
I'm saying that farming, particularly large scale livestock farming, is not for those who enjoy hobbies, vacations, afternoons off, walks in the park, and the like.
It's a full time, all the time, job.
It's hard. It's frustrating at times not just from a scheduling perspective (have I mentioned that Joe and I planned on getting away some time before calving, and that's looking like maybe not until 2014. Sigh.), but from the perspective that it's Thanksgiving weekend, and although we have enjoyed time off to spend with family, while the banks are closed and the factories are for the most part still, Joe's still feeding. While I spent a nice Saturday afternoon with friends, Anna spent it at a birthday party, and the world seemed to be Christmas shopping, Joe was working on water tanks to get them to light so that the cows would have water. On a Sunday afternoon when one should be napping, he's off feeding hay, checking fence, and re-checking the water tanks.
Some times I think this isn't fair, but some times I also think it's self-inflicted, this lifestyle, this commitment to work. It's always been that a livestock farmer works his or her tail off no matter when, no matter what, so I should just get used to it.
Unlike my change of heart with the school bus, I don't see myself becoming okay with chores on early Sunday morning or Christmas or during crummy weather. I don't see myself wishing Joe could work more.
Not that I'm one of those crazy wives who needs to be with her husband 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, I just wish we could have a weekend off, for heaven's sake.
So, with that, I guess I'll turn this bummer of a thought around and be thankful that I have a husband who is willing to work so hard. I should be thankful that he's not around all the time, watching my every move, as I teeter on chairs decorating the tops of the cabinets for Christmas (which makes him nervous). I choose to be thankful that he's teaching our kids the value of work, and how rewarding it is.
I guess I'll work on teaching my kids the value of vacation, and start saving for 2014!
Last week to link up with Holly and her 30 Days of Life on a Prairie Farm!
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Day 24: Frozen Hair and Fair Weather Chores
My hair froze today.
Honestly, I am like a science experiment. First of all, how does one sweat when one is running in 19 degree weather? And then, how does one's hair simultaneously freeze? Well, you run a long run and let me know if it happens to you...it doesn't happen to my running partner, but she's not a sweater...and I sweat chewing gum while standing in a deep freeze. Either way, I looked like Pippy Longstocking by the end of my run today. Or some crazy woman. Or a little of both.
However, while we were crazy enough to make the choice to run when it's on 19 degrees, Joe, like many livestock farmers, does not have the choice of whether or not the cows are checked and fed on cold days like today.
Anna, on the other hand, does have a choice, and when she saw my frozen hair (after I had been in the car for 10 minutes, it was still frozen), she decided she was staying home this morning.
I'd say she's a bit of a fair weather chorer, wouldn't you?
She's also seven, and smart, and if you had the choice, wouldn't you stay in your jammies and warm house when it's 19 degrees?
Not me...thus the frozen hair.
Anyway, Joe's out there, braving the elements, currently in the comfort of his warm farm truck, but still out there, and for that, I am awed at his dedication to his herd.
If only I could get him to transfer his dedication to putting up the Christmas lights today...
Linking up with Holly and her 30 Days on a Prairie Farm Series.
Honestly, I am like a science experiment. First of all, how does one sweat when one is running in 19 degree weather? And then, how does one's hair simultaneously freeze? Well, you run a long run and let me know if it happens to you...it doesn't happen to my running partner, but she's not a sweater...and I sweat chewing gum while standing in a deep freeze. Either way, I looked like Pippy Longstocking by the end of my run today. Or some crazy woman. Or a little of both.
However, while we were crazy enough to make the choice to run when it's on 19 degrees, Joe, like many livestock farmers, does not have the choice of whether or not the cows are checked and fed on cold days like today.
Anna, on the other hand, does have a choice, and when she saw my frozen hair (after I had been in the car for 10 minutes, it was still frozen), she decided she was staying home this morning.
I'd say she's a bit of a fair weather chorer, wouldn't you?
She's also seven, and smart, and if you had the choice, wouldn't you stay in your jammies and warm house when it's 19 degrees?
Not me...thus the frozen hair.
Anyway, Joe's out there, braving the elements, currently in the comfort of his warm farm truck, but still out there, and for that, I am awed at his dedication to his herd.
If only I could get him to transfer his dedication to putting up the Christmas lights today...
Linking up with Holly and her 30 Days on a Prairie Farm Series.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Day 23: Who Are the Real Turkeys?
Did you read that PETA wrote a letter to President Obama in regards to the long standing Presidential tradition of pardoning the turkey on Thanksgiving?
Seriously.
Did you know that the letter included phrases such as, "Turkeys do not need to be 'pardoned'—they are not guilty of anything other than being born into a world of prejudice. They are innocents who should be respected for who they are: good mothers, smart birds, and interesting animals."
Honestly.
The head of PETA suggested that the Obamas enjoy a, "This year, we encourage you to forgo this event, which so many Americans find offensive, and choose a delicious, healthy Tofurky roast for your family's holiday table."
Okay...
Ms.Ingrid Newkirk, president of PETA, also went on to say that President Obama, "understands so well that African-Americans, women, and members of the LGBT community have been poorly served throughout history, and now I am asking you to consider other living beings who are ridiculed, belittled, and treated as if their sentience, feelings, and very natures count for nothing."
Alright, so I understand PETA, and while I do not agree with their principles, as I tend to think they're quite extreme, they are a group; they are entitled to their opinions, but HONESTLY...
it's a turkey.
Thanksgiving is a tradition, and again, while I am not oblivious to the fact that the Pilgrims may have not been the nicest people, and that there has been persecution of people and cruel treatment of animals in our world, isn't this lady kind of just stirring the pot? Shouldn't she be more concerned with the crushing deficit our country faces? Wouldn't a letter in regards to health care or social security be more along the lines of national concern?
Nah...
let's worry about Tom Turkey.
I will state with great confidence that I will probably never be a member of PETA, nor will I believe that what they're doing is worth my time, but this crazy letter has to be addressed. Who is the real turkey here? I don't feel like I was insensitive or strange as I enjoyed my turkey yesterday amongst three generations of family. I don't think I was not being a nice person because I enjoyed all the trimmings, all the while enjoying also conversation and love of my family, and didn't think about the turkey's feelings and well being at that particular moment. (However, I am a meat eater...and thus, according to PETA, all that is EVIL and wrong with the world) I enjoyed spending time with my family, thankful for our health, and didn't worry about what the Obamas were doing.
Not that I don't care about the treatment of turkeys, or Obamas for that matter, but I just tried to focus on what should be focused upon on Thanksgiving.
Being thankful.
What a novel concept.
So, once again, my plea to PETA is to try to worry about something that is a little bigger than turkey pardoning, which is supposed to be silly.
Maybe I should write a letter to this lady and tell her to lighten the heck up.
I probably won't, because this is just seemingly ridiculous, but I think we all have so few big things to worry about in our society that some groups tend to forget common sense. Who cares what you ate, whether it was turkey or beef or pork or even Tofurky, my hope is that Thanksgiving for you was spent with loved ones, being thankful for living in a country where there's no threat of bombings (thankful I don't live in the Middle East, and prayers for them), being grateful for your health, something along that lines.
I'm thankful I ate lovely real turkey, and wasn't surrounded by a bunch of turkeys who were criticizing my every choice, when, in fact, I live in a country that was founded on such a freedom.
Again, novel concept.
So, my thoughts on this craziness is happy (belated) thanksgiving, and lighten the heck up!!
Linking up with Holly's 30 Days on a Prairie Farm today! You can find her blog, as well as links to others in this series here.
Seriously.
Did you know that the letter included phrases such as, "Turkeys do not need to be 'pardoned'—they are not guilty of anything other than being born into a world of prejudice. They are innocents who should be respected for who they are: good mothers, smart birds, and interesting animals."
Honestly.
The head of PETA suggested that the Obamas enjoy a, "This year, we encourage you to forgo this event, which so many Americans find offensive, and choose a delicious, healthy Tofurky roast for your family's holiday table."
Okay...
Ms.Ingrid Newkirk, president of PETA, also went on to say that President Obama, "understands so well that African-Americans, women, and members of the LGBT community have been poorly served throughout history, and now I am asking you to consider other living beings who are ridiculed, belittled, and treated as if their sentience, feelings, and very natures count for nothing."
Alright, so I understand PETA, and while I do not agree with their principles, as I tend to think they're quite extreme, they are a group; they are entitled to their opinions, but HONESTLY...
it's a turkey.
Thanksgiving is a tradition, and again, while I am not oblivious to the fact that the Pilgrims may have not been the nicest people, and that there has been persecution of people and cruel treatment of animals in our world, isn't this lady kind of just stirring the pot? Shouldn't she be more concerned with the crushing deficit our country faces? Wouldn't a letter in regards to health care or social security be more along the lines of national concern?
Nah...
let's worry about Tom Turkey.
I will state with great confidence that I will probably never be a member of PETA, nor will I believe that what they're doing is worth my time, but this crazy letter has to be addressed. Who is the real turkey here? I don't feel like I was insensitive or strange as I enjoyed my turkey yesterday amongst three generations of family. I don't think I was not being a nice person because I enjoyed all the trimmings, all the while enjoying also conversation and love of my family, and didn't think about the turkey's feelings and well being at that particular moment. (However, I am a meat eater...and thus, according to PETA, all that is EVIL and wrong with the world) I enjoyed spending time with my family, thankful for our health, and didn't worry about what the Obamas were doing.
Not that I don't care about the treatment of turkeys, or Obamas for that matter, but I just tried to focus on what should be focused upon on Thanksgiving.
Being thankful.
What a novel concept.
So, once again, my plea to PETA is to try to worry about something that is a little bigger than turkey pardoning, which is supposed to be silly.
Maybe I should write a letter to this lady and tell her to lighten the heck up.
I probably won't, because this is just seemingly ridiculous, but I think we all have so few big things to worry about in our society that some groups tend to forget common sense. Who cares what you ate, whether it was turkey or beef or pork or even Tofurky, my hope is that Thanksgiving for you was spent with loved ones, being thankful for living in a country where there's no threat of bombings (thankful I don't live in the Middle East, and prayers for them), being grateful for your health, something along that lines.
I'm thankful I ate lovely real turkey, and wasn't surrounded by a bunch of turkeys who were criticizing my every choice, when, in fact, I live in a country that was founded on such a freedom.
Again, novel concept.
So, my thoughts on this craziness is happy (belated) thanksgiving, and lighten the heck up!!
Linking up with Holly's 30 Days on a Prairie Farm today! You can find her blog, as well as links to others in this series here.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Day 21: Nothing
...but four kids home, piles and piles of laundry, and
gratitude.
Awww...I know, so sweet. And you thought this was going to be a grouchy post.
Seriously, today is a crazy foggy day, one that does nothing to inspire you, but considering it's nearly Thanksgiving, I thought I should take a minute to send out some thanks.
Obviously, I am so very, very thankful for my husband: material for so many posts, provider for our family, keeps me laughing and rolling my eyes at all times. I love you and all your quirks (like the pants and shirt that are on the back of the chair and not hung up, but who's caring today???). Thanks for supporting me in this endeavor...even if that means you're the butt of a lot of jokes.
Thanks also to my kids...who are not only quite possibly some of the cutest farm kids around, but also allow me to find out how to laugh more, worry less, and that things like doughnuts and the right color of socks are worth taking the time to consider. I love you all.
My mom is my babysitter, my grammar Nazi, and my idea bouncer-offer. I can't do what I do without her, and I'm so thankful she and my dad moved FIVE MILES AWAY!! My dad is my silent cheerleader...sharing my writings with his aggie-friends, and answering seemingly obvious questions without rolling his eyes. My in-laws, too, provide great material, advice, and always cheer my posts and pictures on with good commentary (sometimes left-handed, right, Rick??).
Holly...oh Holly. Thanks so much for being my friend first. You and John and your kids are who Joe and I want to be when we grow up...because you are older, right?? :) Thanks for setting the gold standard in agricultural communications, something I can never attain. Thanks also for taking such AMAZING pictures of my kids and allowing me to plaster them all over kingdom come, and, oh yeah, putting us on the Prairie Farmer cover!! I still owe you...
To Kath and Rachel and Amy...thanks for being my cheerleaders. Thanks for allowing me to vent when I need to (if you see me on the phone, it's generally to Kath...), meeting me at the crack of dawn to work out, run or whatever because of something crazy like calving or harvest (that includes you, too, Dannielle!!). I appreciate you guys, because when I moved here, I never thought I would find friends. Thank you.
DeAnna...thanks for putting me on the radio!! I have some listeners, as I am supposed to shout out to Brad, my Kitchen Cooked driver friend...but I always forget. Sarah, thanks for nudging me to do this, taking the time to put together our video, and including me in the Harvester.
Finally, dear reader, thanks for sticking with me, for sharing my posts, for enjoying my weirdness, celebrating our victories, and understanding our plight in this world. There's a lot of ups and downs, and my posts reflect that...sometimes good writing, some times bad...sometimes good weather, sometimes not. I appreciate you reading my posts, and know that you could be spending your time trolling Facebook or reading people.com, so thanks for choosing me.
So, thanks so much for another great year. I hope I didn't forget anyone, and if I did, I am sorry, and thankful for you, too!
Happy Thanksgiving (eve).
Linking up with Holly and her 30 Days on a Prairie Farm series.
gratitude.
Awww...I know, so sweet. And you thought this was going to be a grouchy post.
Seriously, today is a crazy foggy day, one that does nothing to inspire you, but considering it's nearly Thanksgiving, I thought I should take a minute to send out some thanks.
Obviously, I am so very, very thankful for my husband: material for so many posts, provider for our family, keeps me laughing and rolling my eyes at all times. I love you and all your quirks (like the pants and shirt that are on the back of the chair and not hung up, but who's caring today???). Thanks for supporting me in this endeavor...even if that means you're the butt of a lot of jokes.
Thanks also to my kids...who are not only quite possibly some of the cutest farm kids around, but also allow me to find out how to laugh more, worry less, and that things like doughnuts and the right color of socks are worth taking the time to consider. I love you all.
My mom is my babysitter, my grammar Nazi, and my idea bouncer-offer. I can't do what I do without her, and I'm so thankful she and my dad moved FIVE MILES AWAY!! My dad is my silent cheerleader...sharing my writings with his aggie-friends, and answering seemingly obvious questions without rolling his eyes. My in-laws, too, provide great material, advice, and always cheer my posts and pictures on with good commentary (sometimes left-handed, right, Rick??).
Holly...oh Holly. Thanks so much for being my friend first. You and John and your kids are who Joe and I want to be when we grow up...because you are older, right?? :) Thanks for setting the gold standard in agricultural communications, something I can never attain. Thanks also for taking such AMAZING pictures of my kids and allowing me to plaster them all over kingdom come, and, oh yeah, putting us on the Prairie Farmer cover!! I still owe you...
To Kath and Rachel and Amy...thanks for being my cheerleaders. Thanks for allowing me to vent when I need to (if you see me on the phone, it's generally to Kath...), meeting me at the crack of dawn to work out, run or whatever because of something crazy like calving or harvest (that includes you, too, Dannielle!!). I appreciate you guys, because when I moved here, I never thought I would find friends. Thank you.
DeAnna...thanks for putting me on the radio!! I have some listeners, as I am supposed to shout out to Brad, my Kitchen Cooked driver friend...but I always forget. Sarah, thanks for nudging me to do this, taking the time to put together our video, and including me in the Harvester.
Finally, dear reader, thanks for sticking with me, for sharing my posts, for enjoying my weirdness, celebrating our victories, and understanding our plight in this world. There's a lot of ups and downs, and my posts reflect that...sometimes good writing, some times bad...sometimes good weather, sometimes not. I appreciate you reading my posts, and know that you could be spending your time trolling Facebook or reading people.com, so thanks for choosing me.
So, thanks so much for another great year. I hope I didn't forget anyone, and if I did, I am sorry, and thankful for you, too!
Happy Thanksgiving (eve).
Linking up with Holly and her 30 Days on a Prairie Farm series.
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