Friday, November 29, 2013

Lordy Lordy

A part of me is dreading this coming week.  A part of me can't wait for it.  All of me is thankful that the good Lord above will get us through it.  I am thankful he is always there for us and that he is forgiving, because anyone who knows me (and many who don't...), knows that there have been a time or two I have needed forgiven.  He has been with us through everything, and this week especially, my family and I need your prayers.  

We really appreciate it.  

Thank you
xoxo

Spiraling Out of Control

Ahh I missed it.  I did the catch up post, but got busy and forgot to do another!

I am thankful for traditions.  Holiday ones seem to be the best and they always seem to leave us in side-splitting laughter!

I hope you all had a very wonderful Thanksgiving and were able to spend it with your family making more memories and traditions come alive!!  


Thursday, November 28, 2013

Fallin Apart

Ahh fail...

For Yesterday: I'm thankful for drinks after work. Sometimes a girl just needs to forget about work for a lil bit. 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

E-I-E-I-O

I can't say this enough times, but I am so thankful for farmers!! While most don't portray the picture that the song "Old McDonald" paints, they've had a huge influence on my life! My childhood, my education, my jobs, my present, and my future.

While I didn't grow up as the farmer's daughter, I did grow up in a farming community.  Pa has always worked in the agricultural field, working early hours and late nights to provide his services and products to the farmers.  I would often ride with him.  I loved being in the sprayer, "Bear" (a semi truck-- hmm, see DJ and I really are meant to be- ha!), tractors, combines, or even just his truck driving around.  I always asked ask who lives there, or who farms that?  I'm not sure if he really knew or if he just said a name-- it's a complete toss up really!!  We'd drive around and look at crops and get out and walk fields.  I was his little helper.  I spent many afternoons/evenings standing around some farmer's shed with the guys. 

My grandparents owned a farm and did both row crops and livestock.  I was always there riding or helping Gpa with the horses.  We would ride back around the field to check on the cattle.  I was in FFA and on the beef team in high school.  I worked at the chicken ranch, not to be confused with the Pizza Ranch!!  The chicken ranch was the term we gave the egg packing plant.  There were maybe three of us girls working there through high school.  It was not the most pleasant, but we would rather be there than all dolled up working retail or something!  I went off to college and helped in the hog barns.  I graduated with a BS in animal science. 

I worked summers at a crop dusting company and fell in love with it!  I decided that I needed to take some classes in agronomy.  Then I found my internship, which led to my job, and DJ.

Now I'm back to riding in the trucks, tractors, semi's, combines and standing in sheds with the guys. I'm back to going on crop tours and giving the guys rides when they need it.  I check the rain gauge.  I go out and feed the "hay burners" in blizzards.  I haul hay racks home in the heat of the summer. 

I am one of the very few lucky ones who get to see first hand the hard work that farmers put in throughout the year.  I see the risk they deal with first hand.  So next time you see a farmer, thank him or her, your belly is full because of them!

oh noooooo

I missed a day!!  Ahh after 25 days you would have thought I'd remember.  Fail.

To make up for it, I'll be doing two posts today, here's the first.

I am thankful for the people I work with, as they are often the ones who I try out new recipes on.  They'll tell me how it is and if I should keep it or ditch it.  Most of the time they don't complain about the free treats!!

Sunday, November 24, 2013

On the Beach

Ahh can you imagine how nice a long walk on the beach would be right now!?  Glorious, right!? 

Instead the neighbor and I took the dogs for a nice long walk around the snow covered field!! It was actually really nice. The sun was out and we only fought the wind for a little bit at the end. It was nice to get out and move while catching up with a friend and wearing out the dogs, all at the same time!!  Talk about multitasking.  

Who needs a warm day on a beach!? So tonight I'm thankful for  long walks in the snow. On a side note, my butt better be lookin good cuz those Muck boots are heavy!!! 

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Friday, November 22, 2013

As I Stuff My Face...

HELLO!! 

We had a makeover last night.  Just to celebrate my 100th post!  (Okay, maybe the truth sounds something more like, I finally found a tutorial I could follow and while I was doing that I discovered this would be the 100th...)  Aren't I talented!?  I was impressed with myself!  Pa actually took the picture of the windmill, so I must thank him, but the "editing" I totally did on my own!!  Impressive, right?!  But on to day 22 of me being thankful!  (where did this month go?!)

DJ once told me he liked me the way I was.  Not too skinny.  Although, I'm pretty sure he failed to mention I wasn't too fat...  But anywho, as I sit here and stuff my face with a healthy salad the largest salad I've ever seen in my life, I'm so thankful that he doesn't pressure me to stay skinny.  He once told me that OS was too skinny.  He didn't want me to get that skinny.  So I asked what about MS?  He said she was just about perfect.  (I guess that makes me the fat sister?!)  It's nice to know that I can participate in one of my favorite hobbies without having to worry about what he'll think if I put on a few more pounds.  I think we're a match made in Heaven!! 

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Seasons Greetings

I'm so glad I live in the Midwest!  Even though I complain about the weather 75% of the time!  I don't think I could handle one season.  Here we get all four seasons, sometimes within one week!  I love that I can still wake up to go to work and look at my phone and there can be a text saying it's a late start due to the bad weather!  It's like that Christmas morning feeling you had as kids, but for adults!!  I love that I can  could get off work and go ride throughout most of the year.  I love the fall colors.  I love the spring storms (until the house starts whistling... then I realize this is real life, not a tv show!!).  I love the summer nights.  I get sick of the hot weather and then I think, hey at least I didn't have to scrape my windows.  Then I get sick of the cold weather and think hey, at least I'm not sweating just walking outside to get the mail!

I like both extremes and can't imagine living in a place without one or the other.  I would get bored.  I can't imagine having next to zero possibility for snow on Christmas morning.  I love the unexpected, rapidly changing weather we get here.

I am thankful for what many people use as an excuse not to live here-- and maybe that is why I'm most thankful for it!?

Storm Rollin' In

Summer Nights

Winter Storm

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Time Flies

I went to a junior college and played softball for two years there. I then went to a state university for three years. I was one of the last people in my class to decide where to go. 

Boy am I thankful I went the route I did. I met some great friends, including JT. I lived with my cousin for a year. I lived with JT for multiple years. I lived with a boy for a year. I learned what it was like to have a dog to take care of. And I guess I got an education. 

I made memories, some I only remember through pictures. It led me to DJ and it led me to my job. Sometimes you just have to have faith that it'll all work out!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Goin' Places

I don't have a fancy car.  Most people would probably consider my car nice.  Others wouldn't even consider making it their own.  I, however, LOVE it!!  I got it while I was going to college.  I had a good paying summer job so I convinced Pa I needed something bigger.  (I can't remember if I had JDB or if I got her right after, but let me tell you, she took up a lot of car space!) I drove the Mountaineer for quite awhile and decided that I didn't need something that could hold eight people and allow them to watch DVDs, and cost a lot to fill up... I apparently thought I was a soccer mom.  I went back to my old car.  I drove it around from place to place and only got stranded a couple multiple times!  The ol' gal just got tired sometimes!

I started looking, but couldn't find anything I liked.  The only two things it had to have were leather seats and a sunroof.  I wanted it to be white, silver, black, gray, or red.  And of course be in my price range.  And then I found one.  It was a dark gray VW Jetta.  We got in touch with my cousin at the dealership and he said he'd have a guy look at it and if it was good to go he would keep it for us.

And then it sold.

And so I looked more.  With no luck.  And then I found it!!  It was only on the clear opposite side of one of the largest states in the country, but no biggie.  He sent his guy after it and it was mine.  Sight unseen.  Oh boy.  What was I getting myself into!!

A silver VW Jetta.  Diesel.  Sunroof.  Leather.  Perfect.

And we flew to Texas to bring it home.  We picked it up and headed home, only to run into a blizzard half way back.  Lucky for me, it was Pa's half of the drive!!

We made it home with only having to stop once for fuel and then again to put some anti-gelling agent in.  She was in shock.  Going from warm, sunny southern Texas to our state that could be 60 one day and a blizzard the next!

I still have her.  I still love her.  I hardly drive her.  I drive the dogs' car to work to keep miles off of her.  I plan on keeping her around forever.  My grandkids will drive her if I have my way!

She's our road tripping car.  She's been to Texas, New Mexico, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, Missouri, and I'm sure I'm forgetting some!!

Even though she sits in the garage most of the time, I'm thankful I have her and the Exploder for the dogs.  Some people don't have one vehicle and I have two.  I'm a lucky gal.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Mmmm....

I love pizza. I would hate to know how often we eat it! I am so thankful for carry out pizza on nights like this! We were supposed to have soup. That didn't happen. 

Someday soon I'll have a good post!!

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Ahh Refreshed

I am so thankful for lazy days!  I had a pretty hectic week and weekend, but today I was able to just relax.  We got up early to meet up with Ma and Pa for breakfast.  After we ate, they went to shop, MS & BM headed home, and DJ and I went and picked up a few things to make soup and headed home.  I bummed around the house and then met up with OS for a late lunch/early supper.  I brought some pizza home for DJ and we've been watching football since.

And now, I think my bed is calling me.  Hopefully I'll catch up on some sleep!!  Have a great week, last full week of work until Thanksgiving break--whoo hoo!

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Oh no

My ms is amazing. She's hilarious. And awesome. And amazing. And amazeballs. 

And that was the guest post from ms...

But I am thankful for her. And the rest of my family. But that's for another day. A sobER one. 

Tonight I'm thankful for a good night out with good people. And sleep. I need sleep. 


Uh oh!

I missed a day. My bad. But I have to say the heart to heart was so worth it. 

SO so so Thankful for those talks :)

Thursday, November 14, 2013

In a Hard Spot

Ahh it's late, but I remembered. MS did remind me so there's her little shout out!! 

Tonight I was quite thankful for hardwood and tile floors. Crazy, right?! But seriously, vacuuming carpet is hard work. I only have to little bedrooms to do and I'm pretty sure I burn more calories in those two rooms than I do in the rest of the house combined. Just think how skinny I could be if I didn't win the hardwood battle of the build! Wait, that would probably mean I'd have to vacuum more than when I'm expecting visitors... Just kidding, I totally vacuum more often than that. Sometimes. Maybe once. 

And now I'm thankful for bed and I don't think I'm the only one!! 
Out cold!!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Say Cheese!

I was asked to find some pictures for a Christmas present.  I started going through my stash on my computer and came across a bunch of pictures from my college days.  I couldn't help but laugh at some and shake my head at others.  There were people I didn't remember and events I had forgot about!  I'm sure JT and LR would LOVE to see them and we could laugh at ourselves.

I also ran across lots of pictures of both JDB and UC.  I still miss them, but I couldn't help but chuckle at some of the pictures I found.  They were both so full of life and would get themselves in quite the predicaments!

I'm so thankful for these pictures and the memories they can revive!

Have a great night friends

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Home Sweet Home

It snowed yesterday.  Not much at all, but enough to really make a person stop and think how thankful they are they have a warm place to go home to.  I have never been in a position where I didn't have a warm place to stay.  Most times that warm place has food in it too.  While it may seem "normal" to many, there are some out there that don't have that blessing.

While I often say I would change things about the SHITMON, I'm glad I can consider it mine and not worry about feeling the breeze blow through it, like I did in the rental...


Monday, November 11, 2013

On a Serious Note...

I wasn't planning on writing about veterans today, as I think they should be thanked more than the 2-3 times a year that they do get a kind word (mainly in the form of their friends posting a status saying thank you, vets, with some actually taking the time to thank that person individually).  I'm not saying this is a bad thing to do, as I do it, but I wish people would think about them throughout the year, not just on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veteran's Day.  They really do deserve more than a simple thank you. 

Take time to fill a care package up and send it overseas.  They love getting the packages.  Or just send a simple (hand written) thank you note.  There are many groups that will send things over, you just have to drop the items off for them.  You can also find soldiers' addresses online and send them a suprise.  Who knows, it might be the only thing they receive while they're deployed.

They're putting their lives on the line for us, I think it's only fair to take a couple minutes out of your day and do something for them.  So thank a vet today.  And tomorrow.  And the next day.  And the next day...

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Short n Sweet

Today I'm thankful for real life. Ya know, the bad things that happen or you're not expecting. They make the good times that much sweeter and remind you to take a look at your life and what the important things really are. It reminds you of how precious life is and how to live in the moment. And to always tell your loved ones how much you care. 

Good night and God bless. 


Saturday, November 9, 2013

Run Forrest, Run!

Well we did it.  After a long, eventful drive, we finally found the correct location and we ran in our race that we have been "training" for.  We started out jogging down the gravel road and then it took us to the cattle pastures, with nice fresh cow pies!  We ran through the pasture for awhile and then came to "the woods."  We went up a mountain rather large hill (I forgot those existed in this state after living in the flats for so long!) over trees and through creeks and up and down more hills.  I can't lie.  I walked.  A lot.  I only rolled both of my ankles twice, so not bad considering I am known to do that when running from first to second base! I only saw one of the mile markers, three, so I knew I was closing in on the finish line by then.  There was one point that I crossed the creek and then I lost the path.  I couldn't see trail markers and I couldn't see any other runners.  I finally caught a glimpse of a shirt way ahead of me so I headed towards it and finally found the trail again.  I didn't take my phone with me since I didn't know how wet I was going to be getting, so no pictures.  I was racing a girl at the finish line and so I didn't even look to see what my time was.  

I got done, grabbed a bottle of water, and went to wait for the boss to finish.  And then someone started calling my name.  I turned around to see a high school classmate.  I talked to him a bit and then went to see what the timer said, it was just rolling over to 50 minutes.  I'm not sure if they will post times online or not, but I'm still happy I finished under 50 minutes considering the terrain I was on!  The boss finished shortly after and instead of grabbing the famous beef stew they have, we decided to head home.  

So today I'm thankful I finished!  I'm also thankful for my training partner, even though we are probably the worst partners ever, as neither of us ever push us...  

And when I got home I got a package full of goodies to start my next venture with-- we're going to see how well I can sell things! Wish me luck!

It's the Weekend

And that is exactly what I shall write abut today!! I'm so thankful for weekends. Can you imagine not having those two days off!?  Most of the time we wish we had more days off, when really we should be happy we get any!!

This weekend should be interesting and the posts should give you all an idea of how I spend my weekends. 

I totally tried posting this last night and MS let me know this morning it did not. Nuts. There goes that record. 

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Catching Up

I am so thankful for my friends. I don't get to see them all as often as I'd like, you know, that whole growin up and gettin big girl jobs puts a strain on friendships.

But I have a few close friends who I could, scratch that, do, go without seeing for months. And then when we see each other or even just talk on the phone, nothing has changed between us!! Our lives could do a complete 180 but we still have each other. It's great. 

And we can always relate to each other. I seriously love my friends and I would be lost without them!! 

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Still Truckin'

I hope you all are as impressed with me as I am! 

I wrote about books yesterday, so now I must write about music. I am so thankful I am able to crank up the radio and unwind on my way home from work. I also listen to it at work to make the day go by faster. My iPod has everything from Johnny Cash to Nickelback to Jock Jams     And we can't forget a little Britney and Christina in there!! No matter the mood, you can always find a song to relate to. Or to make things better. 

And now I gotta go watch the CMA's and see if any of my favorites win!! (Okay, okay I mainly watch to listen to performances...) 

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Another Close One

I almost forgot to write tonight!! 

I'm thankful for books. I went through a phase (called school) where I didn't like to read. The closest thing to reading for pleasure I got to was my sister's horse magazines. And then I took a summer job where I worked from before sunrise to after dark and did very little actual work. It was a game of hurry up and wait. And then work your tush off for ~12 minutes before you were back to waiting. 

Believe it or not, I could only sleep so many hours in a day, or maybe the extreme heat made it impossible for me to sleep??  And so I started reading. I don't know how many books I read that summer. Ma would pick some up for me and I would run to the library and pick a handful out whenever I had the chance. 

I don't read as much as I did that summer, I spend more of my time outside or inside quilting and cleaning than reading. And then I'll find a really great book that I just can't put down!! And that is way better than any tv show. 

Monday, November 4, 2013

Ugh

Third time writing. 

I've written about a couple different things now. But it's late and I'm hungry so tonight I'll write about how thankful I am for the food I put in my belly. 

And with that I'm off to eat ...


Sunday, November 3, 2013

Third Time's a Charm!

I'm makin' it happen here in November!

Today's ramblings won't be as long as yesterdays, probably because it isn't about my animals!  

I'm going to write about being thankful for my health today.  I think a lot of us, me included, take our good health for granted.  There are a lot of people out there wishing they could just be "normal."

I've always been pretty healthy, I don't know how really, I sure don't eat healthy.  I mean, my post-workout snack is usually Oreo's and milk.  (I once read that chocolate milk was the perfect post-workout drink, but that's just gross, so I make do!)  I don't work out regularly.  I always played sports in school and I ride, but I don't go to the gym and pump weights.  I have been running again, not that I enjoy it (at all...).  I signed up for another off-road race this year to motivate me.  I'm hoping some day it will hit me and I'll decide I love to run.  I'm still waiting for that runner's high they speak of.  I think it's all a lie!  I guess I'll keep running though, because I can.  Someday I might not be able to and I would hate to look back and think why didn't I run when I could!  I'm trying to work on eating better since I'm feeding more than just me, but darn it, pizza just tastes so good!!  So I'm trying to do my part, but I could totally do better.  

I have to thank God for my health, cuz my habits are definitely not the reason I'm healthy!  


Saturday, November 2, 2013

On a Roll

Day 2.  (Warning: this went from a one paragraph post to the 2nd longest post ever...with pictures)

So far I haven't missed a day.  I'm impressed with myself.

I'm thankful for my four legged chillins, both living and passed.  They have all taught me more than the 18 years of schooling I went through.  They've taught me real life lessons that you can't get from books.  They're always there when you've had a bad day and want nothing more than for you to be happy.  They've taught me patience, kindness, love, how to nurture, how to react in an emergency, how to compete, how to always try to better myself.  They've taught me to live each day to the fullest and how precious life really is.  They have taught me not to hold grudges, that most things won't matter in five years, or really, quite often, five minutes.

Just this morning, I was heading out to pick DJ up and help move them to a new field and I loaded the dogs up and MC ralphed.  Not just once, but three times.  In my vehicle.  (all in different spots, all of which had cracks/crevices for it to run down into...)  Instead of getting mad because now I was going to get in "trouble" with the boss man for being late cuz I had to stop and clean it up, I was more worried about the little guy's upset tum tum.  (Note: He is back to being his wild and crazy self, so I think he's over it.  And I didn't get in trouble for DJ having to wait on us!)

I had multiple pets growing up.  The family dog, CJ.  He taught me to get along with everyone.  That dog would have done anything for anyone.  He had his route around town that he would go on everyday, stopping by to say hi to multiple people.  He would go to work with Pa everyday and sometimes go watch the high school football or track teams practice.  Everyone knew Ol' CJ.
A random cat showed up and I named her MW.  She ended up having kittens.  We were able to give them away, but I kept LT.  He was so fat and fluffy.  I'm not even a cat person, but you couldn't help but love him.  And then one day Pa found him stuck between two railroad ties (that's what they told me anyway...).  MW left shortly after that.  They taught me to have an open mind.  Or that I'm a sucker for anything with four legs and in need...
MS had LR.  We thought he was a she until one day Ma spotted something between his back legs...  I wasn't fond of that old cat, but when I would get in trouble, he was there to comfort me.  He taught me not to hold grudges.  Even though I didn't give him much attention he was there when I needed someone.

I picked out Pony when I was 10.  He was supposed to turn gray.  ha.  He's as brown as brown can be.  The one color I didn't want, but I love him.  He's taught me soooo much.  I was the first one on him, and the only one for quite awhile as I was only ten and probably weighed nothing.  From then on, if I wasn't playing ball, I was probably out at the farm with him.  Some days we would work on backing, side passing, pivoting.  Other days we would just go ride around the field.  I showed him, used him to give trail rides to kids at camp, took him to petting zoos.  He's far from perfect, but I wouldn't sell him.  He knows my mood.  If I'm in a good mood, he might be a handful.  If I'm in a bad mood, he'll do anything I ask.  He knows who is on him and he knows when he needs to set an example for the youngin's now.  He's 15 now and makes me feel old.  Some days he still acts like he's a three year old, but that reassures me he still feels good!  He has taught me more than I could ever explain.  Horses will do that to a person!  He taught me to trust.  We have to trust one another.  He's had to get us back home before when we're lost on the trails (or off of them...) and if I ask him to do something new and scary, he has to trust me that it's gonna be okay!  Here we are last year at the competition I wrote about.
Scary spiders don't faze him.
MS gave me JDB my first year at ISU.  It was "a trial run," which to MS means, she's all yours now.  BM found out he is allergic to dogs so they had to get rid of her.  She taught me to have fun in everything.  She was hilarious.  She would entertain herself (and anyone watching) for hours.  She was crazy!!  She loved to run, so I decided to leave her home with ma and pa so she could run instead of being cooped up in my apartment.  Pa called one day to tell me that a friend was jogging and found her at the end of the driveway.  I don't know what happened to her, but I can tell you that she lived everyday to the fullest.  For being a dog, she never slept!  She was always going!!  That following Christmas, we were opening presents and a cast iron skillet was thrown and landed on my toe.  I was laughing so hard and then I started crying.  No one knew why I was crying until I was like I miss JDB.  And then half the room started crying too, because even though SH tormented her, he loved her.  She was a pistol, just like he is.  
What you lookin' at!?

The sisters and I went and picked up JW a couple hours away.  I found him online.  They had found him on the streets.  They said he was a puggle that was a little over a year old.  We got to him and I wasn't sure what I had gotten into.  He wasn't a puggle and he looked about 12 and ready to keel over, but I loaded him up.  He moved into my apartment ("illegally) with MP and me and all he did was lay there.  I would occasionally be able to get him to play, but not often.  And then one day the city tested their tornado sirens.  He went nuts.  He was howling at them and I was dying laughing.  We moved into DJ's place and he discovered that he loves to run.  He's like the Forrest Gump of dogs and for only having stubby little legs, he can move!!  He has taught me a lot.  He taught me to never stop smiling.  He always has his grill out smiling at the world.  He helped get me through when UC passed.  We helped each other heal.  
G-Ma calls it a snaggle tooth, I just like to smile

UC.  You've already read about all we went through.  I miss that dog alllll the time!  I'm still not used to him being gone.  JW isn't either.  That dog taught me to never leave a man behind!!  Seriously, JW got locked in the shed and UC sat there and waited.  MD pulled up and wondered why UC was there and not JW.  Then he opened the door and figured it out!  When JW got caught in the trap, UC waited with him for me to get there.  That's how I found him, I spotted UC's head sticking up out of the grass. 

Eating is hard work
Which brings us to MC.  Oh MC.  I think he is teaching me how to care for a kid.  It's like all those years of babysitting wrapped up in this little guy that I can't take back to his parents cuz I loooove him!  He's my first puppy and he is perfect.  We love him, but the 14 wake up calls a night are getting a little old!!  He goes goes goes and gets along with everyone.  He's learning so much and never gives up.
This is a lot of work but don't worry, I got this!!

So there you have it.  Another long post about the animals in my life!!  Have a great weekend!!

Friday, November 1, 2013

Joining the Bandwagon

The past few years, or maybe since Facebook has been around, every November people do the thirty day thing where they say one thing they are thankful for each day.  Due to my lack of creative writing skills, I'm jumpin on! 
And knowing me, I'll probably have to do a couple days on one day due to me being forgetful...

But hop on and hold on tight to the edge of the wagon!  It could get crazy. 

I might even include pictures.  See.  Crazy.

Okay, here goes.

Day 1.

I am thankful for a job.

It may be able to be a part of the show "Dirty Jobs" (is that even still on!?), but I still love it and its gloriousness...  mmm... bugs!!

(Sorry, no pictures today.  Come back tomorrow.)