The New Toy

Well Daniel is like a little kid in a candy shop. Happier than a puppy with two peeters (Dan's famous saying). Joyful as a child on Christmas Day. He has officially purchased a John Deere combine! He has been dreaming of this day for quite some time! I think this qualifies him as an official farmer.

The day the combine made its journey from Sikeston, MO to our farm I thought we would have everyone in town lined up and down the streets waving flags and welcoming home the combine. We don't mess around with equipment down here.

So now the combine sits under a shed anxiously awaiting its big debut. But don't worry, it has been out giving combine rides. Seeing as it is too big to fit under the majority of our trees, we only get to go forwards and backwards in a straight line at a jaw dropping speed of 2.5 mph! I offered up the idea of  charging $5 a ride. Maybe in about 25 years we could afford to pay off a portion of this lovely piece of machinery....

As we watch the rain fall a tad more frequently these days we are hopeful of a decent crop. We hope this machine will be able to put its greatness to work and cut some beans in the fall. If not a good harvest.....combine ride anyone????

The joys of being a farmer's wife!

The Re-Plant

Well to put it bluntly...things have been darn right crazy around here! I took a few weeks off  before I started my new job. The first week or so was great! I was able to sleep in and cross a few things off my to-do list. By the third week I was itching to go back to work. Needless to say, I don't think I would ever make a good stay-at-home mom. I am just a busy-body. Laziness is not acceptable in my book.

I did enjoy my time off but am completely thrilled to be back at work! I spent my last few days marking the final tasks off on my list while watching the rain fall from the sky! It was the most beautiful sight EVER. It was the type of rain where all you wanted to do is to curl up on the couch with a good book. Thank goodness I am a pro at that!

 What a beautiful sight...a wet driveway

Pete enjoyed the much needed rain as well

Rain has been more frequent these days...Praise the Lord! We have had several inches of rain that has broken the dust bowl. Unfortunately, the rain has decided to make its grand entrance a little too late for the majority of farmers. We were lucky enough that Dan was granted a re-plant with his seed rep. He replanted one portion of his bean crop this week...just in time for the few days of rain we had at the end of the week. The beans are on the up and up...currently.

With receiving a decent amount of rain the past few days and chances all this next week I have a very happy husband. The drought has been tough. The cows are looking a little on the skinny side and the beans are dying. The worst part about the drought is having to watch your husband experience a very disheartening first year of full-time farming. He has yet to give up hope. He continually looks for the positive in every situation. Thank the Lord we have our faith! I believe if we can survive this as being our first major crop year as well as our first year of marriage, we are set for life.

The joys of being a farmer's wife!



The Sky Is Crying

For the past three months, weather has been the primary discussion at every meal, every event and possibly every waking thought. I hear farmers discussing that this has been the driest year they have experienced since 1952. Talk about a good year for Dan to start his farming career. Thankfully we have full faith in the Good Lord that he will provide. As one of my previous employers always said, "What little rain we do get is more than we deserve." We try to stay positive as the weatherman continues to inform us that it is hot and dry.

But no worries, Dan has a backup plan if he ever quits farming. He informed me that he will join an '80s rock band as a guitarist. I need not to worry because he already told me I could be his full-time band groupy. I guess this makes me feel a little better!

As I am doing my workout video this morning I took a little break. I wandered over to the window and I almost thought I was hallucinating. I mean I know Jillian Michaels is brutal in her videos but I am not that out of shape. I was ecstatic when I realized I was not on the verge of passing out but instead staring at rain drops...big, beautiful raindrops!! I think a tear just might have fallen from my eye!

I immediately called Dan to tell him what my eyes have just witnessed! His response to the rain was if he was home he would go lay in his beans and hug them. Hmmm...interesting reaction to rain but right now I can't blame him. His beans have been on the verge of being fried. It is heartbreaking knowing you put all of this money into the ground and not knowing if there will be any return in the end.

So today we are praising the Good Lord for this shower. We are hoping the rain becomes more frequent. And we go right back to praying for a plentiful harvest!

The joys of being a farmer's wife!