Just a few quick ones!
1) The wave I got from an old farmer on my drive home. That is why I take the country route not the stop and go route.
2) Independence from my hubby... I didn't really phrase that right, but I am a sale "widow" from now until Sunday. I am so thankful for the relationship Chisolm and I have, which makes us completely okay with being apart. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, don't you know:)
3) My sushi date with KMofMCS. Love a dinner date to gossip and catch up. Don't judge! LOL
4) Cell phones that dial through when I think my family is in harms way during bad weather. Mom and dad were safe and sound. No more Weather Channel for KCK.
5) We have a freezer full of beef that we bought from a guy in Western Oklahoma. It is healthy, tasty and abundant. I am thankful I can go to the freezer, grab hamburger or steak and make a great dinner for Chisolm and I . If you are in the market for freezer beef, let me know. I can get you hooked up with him!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Volunteering Weekend
Last weekend was a mirror image of every OYE steer weekend for the past seven years. I was a part of the Yukon FFA chapter, their 35 or so steers and their showmen/women. Well, boys and girls is more accurate, but that is a whole other can of worms and I am not yet a parent.... thank the Great Lord above!! (Sorry, one weekend with teens can spoil a person and make their uterus shrivel up)
Each year, the joke is "the check is in the mail." It never has been nor will it ever be and I am okay with that. I love waking up, being approximately 1/2 hour late as usual and jumping in doing tails. Okay..... for my non-cattle friends- doing tails is the act of using super high powered hairspray to create a Snooky-esk ball on the end of a cow's (or steer in this case) tail (called the switch) We have been doing this task to cattle since Snooky was merely a gleam, or glare, in her daddy's eye. Wonder if she knows that dude? I digress.
Years ago, during my volunteer weekend, I was closer with the kids and knew more of them on a better level. I ran a tight ship! They cleaned and kept themselves together and did other tasks besides picking their noses, napping and looking like hookers. But, I now only see these little tykes one weekend a year. Depressing, I know, but still gives me a gleam of hope that kids can be good.
Now, don't think my job of doing tails is the glue that holds the ship together. I simply make the finished product more tied together and make the kids laugh. This year was no exception to the rule on having a great time. I wanted to share a few things with you that will bring a smile to your face.
1- As boy kept asking the men why I was making a gluey mess of his steers tail. They tried to use somewhat technical jargon, such as "it makes him look more balanced" and "It helps him look thicker quartered." That boy didn't give two hoots about how it made his steer look, since FFA was just a way out of the classroom on sunny days. So, I looked at him and said "You don't go to prom in a tux and tennis shoes, do you?" Home run. He got it. I was just tying up loose ends for him.
2- Sweetest little adorable 11-year-old girl wins her breed. She comes back to show her second steer and looks at me. "That tail looks beautiful!!!" Made my day. I was just there up until that point and then she stole my heart. Wanted to keep her forever!! It wasn't beautiful, it was just a teased, glued ball of hair.
3- Same girl, getting ready for the grand drive: "Are you waiting for me to show?" I replied that I was. "Are you going to do Max's tail again?" Yes I was. "Well," she said. "You better make sure it is done better this time. Time to step up our game!" LOL. She meant no harm. She was so full of laughs.
4- The grand champion steer winner made the crowd go nuts. They were happy. We don't hear that very often, but I was so moved b/c there is so much meanness in the showring anymore.
Not such a moving post, but just to let you know it is easy to make a difference in a kids life. I search for things to do to make my life feel full and worthwhile, but this one weekend every year fills me up for a while. Wears me out, too! LOL. I am always looking for suggestions on how to help people, but for now I am going to just smile about my weekend.
What do you do to help others?
Each year, the joke is "the check is in the mail." It never has been nor will it ever be and I am okay with that. I love waking up, being approximately 1/2 hour late as usual and jumping in doing tails. Okay..... for my non-cattle friends- doing tails is the act of using super high powered hairspray to create a Snooky-esk ball on the end of a cow's (or steer in this case) tail (called the switch) We have been doing this task to cattle since Snooky was merely a gleam, or glare, in her daddy's eye. Wonder if she knows that dude? I digress.
Years ago, during my volunteer weekend, I was closer with the kids and knew more of them on a better level. I ran a tight ship! They cleaned and kept themselves together and did other tasks besides picking their noses, napping and looking like hookers. But, I now only see these little tykes one weekend a year. Depressing, I know, but still gives me a gleam of hope that kids can be good.
Now, don't think my job of doing tails is the glue that holds the ship together. I simply make the finished product more tied together and make the kids laugh. This year was no exception to the rule on having a great time. I wanted to share a few things with you that will bring a smile to your face.
1- As boy kept asking the men why I was making a gluey mess of his steers tail. They tried to use somewhat technical jargon, such as "it makes him look more balanced" and "It helps him look thicker quartered." That boy didn't give two hoots about how it made his steer look, since FFA was just a way out of the classroom on sunny days. So, I looked at him and said "You don't go to prom in a tux and tennis shoes, do you?" Home run. He got it. I was just tying up loose ends for him.
2- Sweetest little adorable 11-year-old girl wins her breed. She comes back to show her second steer and looks at me. "That tail looks beautiful!!!" Made my day. I was just there up until that point and then she stole my heart. Wanted to keep her forever!! It wasn't beautiful, it was just a teased, glued ball of hair.
3- Same girl, getting ready for the grand drive: "Are you waiting for me to show?" I replied that I was. "Are you going to do Max's tail again?" Yes I was. "Well," she said. "You better make sure it is done better this time. Time to step up our game!" LOL. She meant no harm. She was so full of laughs.
4- The grand champion steer winner made the crowd go nuts. They were happy. We don't hear that very often, but I was so moved b/c there is so much meanness in the showring anymore.
Not such a moving post, but just to let you know it is easy to make a difference in a kids life. I search for things to do to make my life feel full and worthwhile, but this one weekend every year fills me up for a while. Wears me out, too! LOL. I am always looking for suggestions on how to help people, but for now I am going to just smile about my weekend.
What do you do to help others?
Friday, March 11, 2011
Bucket List Update.
About 365 days have passed since I opted to publish a bucket list. After looking back at it, I believe I should write it down and carry it around, as I haven't gotten been that hard at crossing them off. Granted, it was a bucket list and I don't plan to kick it any time soon. That let's me off the hook for a bit, in mine own mind. For instant gratification, I am going to do another 3 in 30 type deal. I failed for the most part on my last one, ie abandoned my food diary once I realized it only made me focus on food. Not what my stretched to the max high end denim wanted to hear. All they want to hear is "I am going to find you a new home so my bulging, desk chair shaped hind end doesn't put any more stress on you."
Focus, Keffer. Back to the whole point of this. Bucket list. I am proud to say I did get a few things checked off. And, mind you I am only giving myself 1/2 point on each of these accomplishments. I don't consider myself done on any of these. I slack in most aspects of goal keeping, but I am realistic and want to fully finish each of these items.
HAVE A GARDEN THAT PRODUCES..... CHECK! Full point. I ate myself stupid last summer. We had tons of okra, jalapenos, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. Onions worked pretty well, too. Had a few other peppers come up, but the green beans weren't as bountiful.
Focus, Keffer. Back to the whole point of this. Bucket list. I am proud to say I did get a few things checked off. And, mind you I am only giving myself 1/2 point on each of these accomplishments. I don't consider myself done on any of these. I slack in most aspects of goal keeping, but I am realistic and want to fully finish each of these items.
HAVE A GARDEN THAT PRODUCES..... CHECK! Full point. I ate myself stupid last summer. We had tons of okra, jalapenos, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. Onions worked pretty well, too. Had a few other peppers come up, but the green beans weren't as bountiful.
Here it is while it was young and green!
This task, if taken on again this summer, will be amended to gardening in large containers. I was a tick frustrated each night I battled the weeds and grass that over took the garden while I was plugging away at my desk each day. I will garden in water tanks this summer. I will only have peppers, squash and maybe okra. OH and spinach!!! Will keep you posted.
START A HEREFORD HERD...... 1/2 point.
This past December, Chisolm and I (more him than me) sold two heifers in the state Hereford sale. One went to a junior, who I hope is going to show her at the Oklahoma Youth Expo. We also have another heifer for sale private treaty and more embryo babies are hitting the ground, AKA being born, right now. Calf count... 5 babies and counting!!!
This is our heifer, for sale via private treaty, or she will become a foundation female for us. (To you none cattle readers.... think OctoMom)PARTICIPATE IN RELAY FOR LIFE..... 1/2 point.
The past three years, a sale and this in OKC have over lapped, sending me to eastern Texas instead of walking. But, I am giving myself 1/2 point for donating money to the Susan Komen Relay For Life in memory of my grandmother!
START A SCHOLARSHIP AT BHE OR OSU..... 1/2 point.
This summer, we lost one of the funniest guys ever in Nathan Martin. He was only 31, was beating cancer and died while removing some hard, non-cancerous tissue. He was my "big brother" at BlackHawk and he almost made me like livestock judging. Almost is the key word. He loved Korn, had an infectious laugh and got taken away from us too soon. I am thankful for having the time to drink a few beers with him in Denver only mere months before he passes. Odd now, but I never would have imagined that was the last time I would see him. Maybe I would have not let him buy all the rounds:)
BHE started a scholarship program in memory of Nathan. I donated money, not millions or thousands, but still money in support of youth who opt to go to a junior college to learn about ag and livestock. I know Nathan would have laughed at me fretting over how much to give!
ADDING TWO TO MY LIST.... I want to see Kid Rock and DMB in concert. Thinking of my new 3 for 30 list. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Photo Challenge
I found this on one of the blogs I follow, Oil Wells 2 Cotton Bales, and wanted to jump on the bandwagon today. We are encompassed by a nice layer of clouds and the hunt for pictures will occupy my scatter brain for a few minutes. Then it is back to the to-do list..... oh how I loathe thee today. So, go ahead and do this with me.
1) Someplace you want to visit......
I want to go to France, hit up a cheese shop (I hope my aunt Irol reads this) and see the site at night.
2) Something you wish you could forget.....
1) Someplace you want to visit......
I want to go to France, hit up a cheese shop (I hope my aunt Irol reads this) and see the site at night.
2) Something you wish you could forget.....
My grandmother lost a battle with breast cancer. Just wish I could forget that it looms in my gene pool.
3) Something you wish you were better at......
I hate water, I can't swim.
4) Favorite book.......
Going back to my grandma, when I tried to google a favorite book, this is the only one that popped into my head. If you have a child that needs a little help dealing with something like the death of a loved one, you really should let them read this. I have other books I love, but none that moved me like this one.
5) Something you wish you could change.....
My stick straight hair. I think I could rock this style:)
It's your turn. Thanks for checking me out.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Tears to my eyes
As I set here, I am still shook up from the moving article I just read.
I don't normally check out the Brahman Review, but a great friend wrote this piece. Let me start out by letting you know what an amazing writer, photographer and person she is. Christy Couch Lee owns her own company, CeeLee Communications, but she has been involved in so many publications in the past. I must say I was lucky enough to work under her during my internship at the National Swine Registry. With her at the helm, I learned more than I ever imagined a summer internship would teach me. I felt a little guilty taking money for working from her because one normally pays for an education!
The news these days preys on the "if it bleeds, it leads" newsmakers. I dare you to pick up a publication, browse an online news service or listen to the radio and not hear Charlie Sheen's meltdown not be mentioned. The trainwreck that is his life is fasinating to our society. Don't get me wrong, I am rubber necking at the wreckage as much as you are. But, that doesn't mean I like it.
Agriculture gets hit with so many bad raps and fights against so many groups, while trying so hard to produce a healthy, wholesome, safe product to feed our country. There are groups fighting to end the modern production of livestock and filling the heads of unsuspecting people with lies about farmers. They get more publicity than they should, in my opinion.
But, I want you to read the article that brought tears to my eyes and share the moving story. Why can't we have a portion of the spotlight with all the negativity? The young lady featured by Christy has a long struggle ahead of her.
Thank you Christy for this amazing piece, the Gift of Brahman!
I don't normally check out the Brahman Review, but a great friend wrote this piece. Let me start out by letting you know what an amazing writer, photographer and person she is. Christy Couch Lee owns her own company, CeeLee Communications, but she has been involved in so many publications in the past. I must say I was lucky enough to work under her during my internship at the National Swine Registry. With her at the helm, I learned more than I ever imagined a summer internship would teach me. I felt a little guilty taking money for working from her because one normally pays for an education!
The news these days preys on the "if it bleeds, it leads" newsmakers. I dare you to pick up a publication, browse an online news service or listen to the radio and not hear Charlie Sheen's meltdown not be mentioned. The trainwreck that is his life is fasinating to our society. Don't get me wrong, I am rubber necking at the wreckage as much as you are. But, that doesn't mean I like it.
Agriculture gets hit with so many bad raps and fights against so many groups, while trying so hard to produce a healthy, wholesome, safe product to feed our country. There are groups fighting to end the modern production of livestock and filling the heads of unsuspecting people with lies about farmers. They get more publicity than they should, in my opinion.
But, I want you to read the article that brought tears to my eyes and share the moving story. Why can't we have a portion of the spotlight with all the negativity? The young lady featured by Christy has a long struggle ahead of her.
Thank you Christy for this amazing piece, the Gift of Brahman!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Monday oh how I don't enjoy you
I thought I had an addictive enough personality to do a "My Obsession Monday" blog. Not so much. Or maybe it is that I don't ever change my routine? I should look into that b/c I could be followed, profiled, and plucked off by a strange man with greasy hair. Hey, he might think I am his type due to my constant inability to wake in time to recycle the styling products placed in my hair the day before.
So, my effort to change your attitudes and get lots of sponsors was thwarted by my inability to be creative. I don't want to rant about my day thus far, because a majority of you guys have all ready gotten the e-mail version! LOL.
My weekend was lame, but not a complete let down. I was able to work a benefit auction for the Safari Club. Don't accidentally refer to it as the Sierra Club, their arch nemeses and one of our many in the agricultural industry. I did find out that, one a whole, they are jackasses. Plain and simple think their poo smells like roses. Case in point- I was the bid card hander outer. They were laid out in ABC order and I dominated my ABC's pre-kindergarten. Therefore, not a daunting task. Ms. Smith came to me, informed me of her last name (that was her real name, BTW) and then as I searched my 500 badges for hers she decides to help me with the alphabet. She says "ABC, S comes after R." It took all the control I could muster to not inform her in no uncertain terms that I could read, recite my alphabet and twirl my hair at the same time. It also took me two deep breaths to not inform Ms. Smith that she looked like her product... she was a freakin' taxidermist. She looked like she had been stuff and mounted more times than Bambi's mom. Her jack it to Jesus hair had me stumbling backwards for fear I would cough on her b/c I am sure inhaling that much Aqua net cannot be good for one's respiratory system.
I also noted that their function might be the only one where the statement "nice rack" actually had nothing to do with my cleavage. That saddened me. These people came in dragging racks of dead animals behind them. Toss them a loin cloth and we had a real live nomadic tribe wondering around.
The amount of camo was directly proportional to the amount of alcohol they consumed, too. Mind you, some of it was as tasteful as I can imagine it being. Some of it was over the top. Did you know that if your husband is an orthopedic surgeon and hunts that gives you a red light to wear camo leggings in public? I didn't either. News to me. This even was described to me as a high end, black tie event. I think that got lost in translation to the local who crawled out of a tree or hole to come to town and get free booze. Good thing moonshine wasn't on the menu, or I would still be there.
Also found out they are not the laughing type. I made a few jokes, or remarks as some might call them, and got nothing. I was again mustered my patience and didn't inform them that they weren't the first doctor/lawyer that I had ever met and they weren't going to be the last. Alas, I shut up, got my pay check and skedaddled.
Sunday found KC at the grocery. I need to plan better, buy a calendar or something. There was a huge sale, a sale so big it required a four-story tall inflatable purple gorilla to announce it. I had a hankering for Orange Roughy, a wonderful fish that I hope to make as well as my mommy can, but the hankering was put to bed once I saw the line. The meat counter was insane. Insane like paparazzi swarming Kim K crazy. No one had sense, they just scooped up what they could, pushed and yelled. Honest. One lady got served before another couple. That couple mad damn good and well sure that everyone in the vicinity knew they had been waiting and she cut. I assimilate them to the loud kid in first grade who tattles on everyone and alienates themselves because they eat their own buggers. That annoying. There was a scuffle. I left. The only time I find it appropriate to fight over meat is when you are single, horny and drunk at last call.
Peace out. I should figure out how to clean my copy machine. Big day at the office:)
So, my effort to change your attitudes and get lots of sponsors was thwarted by my inability to be creative. I don't want to rant about my day thus far, because a majority of you guys have all ready gotten the e-mail version! LOL.
My weekend was lame, but not a complete let down. I was able to work a benefit auction for the Safari Club. Don't accidentally refer to it as the Sierra Club, their arch nemeses and one of our many in the agricultural industry. I did find out that, one a whole, they are jackasses. Plain and simple think their poo smells like roses. Case in point- I was the bid card hander outer. They were laid out in ABC order and I dominated my ABC's pre-kindergarten. Therefore, not a daunting task. Ms. Smith came to me, informed me of her last name (that was her real name, BTW) and then as I searched my 500 badges for hers she decides to help me with the alphabet. She says "ABC, S comes after R." It took all the control I could muster to not inform her in no uncertain terms that I could read, recite my alphabet and twirl my hair at the same time. It also took me two deep breaths to not inform Ms. Smith that she looked like her product... she was a freakin' taxidermist. She looked like she had been stuff and mounted more times than Bambi's mom. Her jack it to Jesus hair had me stumbling backwards for fear I would cough on her b/c I am sure inhaling that much Aqua net cannot be good for one's respiratory system.
I also noted that their function might be the only one where the statement "nice rack" actually had nothing to do with my cleavage. That saddened me. These people came in dragging racks of dead animals behind them. Toss them a loin cloth and we had a real live nomadic tribe wondering around.
The amount of camo was directly proportional to the amount of alcohol they consumed, too. Mind you, some of it was as tasteful as I can imagine it being. Some of it was over the top. Did you know that if your husband is an orthopedic surgeon and hunts that gives you a red light to wear camo leggings in public? I didn't either. News to me. This even was described to me as a high end, black tie event. I think that got lost in translation to the local who crawled out of a tree or hole to come to town and get free booze. Good thing moonshine wasn't on the menu, or I would still be there.
Also found out they are not the laughing type. I made a few jokes, or remarks as some might call them, and got nothing. I was again mustered my patience and didn't inform them that they weren't the first doctor/lawyer that I had ever met and they weren't going to be the last. Alas, I shut up, got my pay check and skedaddled.
Sunday found KC at the grocery. I need to plan better, buy a calendar or something. There was a huge sale, a sale so big it required a four-story tall inflatable purple gorilla to announce it. I had a hankering for Orange Roughy, a wonderful fish that I hope to make as well as my mommy can, but the hankering was put to bed once I saw the line. The meat counter was insane. Insane like paparazzi swarming Kim K crazy. No one had sense, they just scooped up what they could, pushed and yelled. Honest. One lady got served before another couple. That couple mad damn good and well sure that everyone in the vicinity knew they had been waiting and she cut. I assimilate them to the loud kid in first grade who tattles on everyone and alienates themselves because they eat their own buggers. That annoying. There was a scuffle. I left. The only time I find it appropriate to fight over meat is when you are single, horny and drunk at last call.
Peace out. I should figure out how to clean my copy machine. Big day at the office:)
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