The Turn Of A Century

The Birthday Girl!

Well, she did it! Granny B has officially made it to the 100th year mark! This woman is simply amazing. She has blessed many with her presence for 100 great years. Talking to her, you wouldn't believe that she was born back in 1912. It amazes me how she can remember practically everyone's names and can tell stories like they took place yesterday!

I had the pleasure of sittin with Granny B one afternoon while she told stories about life on the farm. She informed me that she was an official"farmerette". She advised me on how to be a good farmer's wife and how she would help her husband on the farm. "You give them a whirl around a time or two until the head goes in one direction and the body goes in the other." Now she isn't talking about ringing her husband's neck, this is how she described the killing of her chickens!  I wish I could be half of the "farmerette" as she was back in her prime.

 I believe the birthday girl had a great time at her party. She came back to her hometown in order to celebrate with her friends and family here. Although she would love to move back into her old house (now our house), she doesn't want me to loose a place to stay. Thank goodness she is thoughtful! Granny B. is still sassy as ever! At the nursing home, Granny B. has a motorized chair. You best be getting out of her way because if you get in the way, she will run you over...she told me so! She passed the test to get her license to drive the motorized chair but she was on her best behavior. Apparently Granny B was like this driving a car too! Her grandson, Shaun, tattled on her and her aggressive driving behaviors! Word of advice...look out for the sweet little lady in the chair...she will get ya!

The whole clan

 I couldn't find Alex or Dan for a little while so i checked in the kitchen and this is what I found!

Throwing little candies at each other is a great way to entertain themselves!

Seeing as there aren't many people lucky enough to celebrate their 100th birthday, my parents decided to come pay us a visit and celebrate with the birthday girl. Of course, it wouldn't be a normal weekend trip if they didn't get drug into helping with something.

I love the men in my life!

Dad was a great supervisor while Dan changed the oil in my car.

Nothin like a good ride on a gorgeous fall day!

I am so thankful for weekends like this! Lots of family, friends, and being outdoors.

The joys of being a "Farmerette"

Love is in the air

October had arrived quickly and never slowed down. I hate how my favorite month just seems to pass on by without taking off the shoes and staying for a while.

The beginning of October was filled with parties and fall festivals with friends while the end of October was filled with a wedding,anniversary and a BIG birthday!

One of my favorite activities, crafting, has kept me busy the past few weeks. I volunteered to make a few things for my brother's wedding but didn't realize how quickly the wedding would sneak up on me. Thankfully, I had a couple of nights when Dan was working late to finish up the projects!

In preparation for my brother's wedding, I decided that a nice summer glow would complement my bridesmaid dress well. I was determined that I would not lie in a tanning bed so a spray tan was the next best thing. Afraid of coming out like an oompa loompa, I decided that tan- in- a- can – a la – Dan was the best option! I purchased some tanning spray at good ol’ Walley World and I was definitely not let down. I was left with a streak-free glow, similar to a spray tan. The only issue I had was the possible splotchiness on my backside (complements of Dan). I would hop in the shower while Dan was left holding the future of my tan in his hands. He reassured me that he could handle it,  that it was just like painting his tractor. I am really not sure if that was as reassuring as he thought considering I was rethinking the size of my back side. I may possibly have a smiley face on my rear but my arms/back/chest was streak free!

Wedding Day!

Along with my thriftiness for a diy spray tan, I was able to find a great deal in the artificial nail department! While on my last  couponing adventure I opted to pick up a box of $5.59 french manicure set. That was the best $5.59 I have ever spent! Thank goodness I picked up the correct box seeing as I made this purchase the same day I had my eye doctor fiasco! While holding my $5.59 manicure next to my Aunt Carol’s $40.00 manicure at the wedding rehearsal, no difference could be found! Yay for being thrifty!!

Me and the Groom

As for Ryan, I am so happy that he found the woman of his dreams. They are absolutely perfect for each other. They had a beautiful wedding and a reception that left people unable to walk the next day. Actually, I don't think I was able to walk normally until about Wednesday. The band was great and I believe fun was had by all! I wish them all of the happiness in the world! There is nothin like being married to your best friend!

Me and the Hubby

Sisterly Love

Happy In-Laws

Happy Parents

Happy Grandparents

Dan and I just happened to celebrate our one year anniversary this past Monday as well! I must be pretty important...Dan left the field early just so he could take me out for a nice dinner! Hey, we even had time to take a family picture with Pete!!

Family Picture

Eating the top tier of our wedding cake

Now as October begins to come to a close, I am on my way to getting the house ready as we await the arrival of Granny B for her 100^th birthday! We are so very excited to share this special day with her!




Oh the joys of being a farmer's wife!

How Sweet It Is!

1,460 days ago I began dating the love of my life. 729 days ago I said “Yes” to the man of my dreams. 365 days ago I said “I Do” and married my best friend.

Back in high school I feared I would never find my prince charming. I was starting to think that I would end up being the unmarried “cat lady” with 40 + cats. I didn’t have much luck in the guy department. The fact that all of my free time was spent out at the barn didn't allow for much time on the dating scene and then off to college I went.

Walking around campus in a small, rural Kentucky town allowed me to see what this lovely state had to offer….lots and lots of good ol’ country boys! Now we are talkin! After a few attempts at the dating thing, I realized it was time to really focus on school, my horses, and my new friends. Of course, when you least expect it, God begins showing you his plan a little at a time.

His plan began with me tearing the ligaments in my ankle at a school function. Being the generous God he is, he placed a slow-talkin, wrangler-wearing, boot-stompin good ol’ southern boy in my life. Dan immediately jumped in to help with getting me to class and getting my horses fed. Hmm…so he can take care of me and my horse…this is lookin good! By the next week, I met Dan’s parents and grandparents and soon after became “Facebook official” (October 21, 2008).

Looking back now, Dan and I can’t believe how quickly it all happened. We jumped into this relationship a lot faster than we ever thought we would do…EVER! I believe I was even the first one to initiate the kiss which I swore I never would do. God had his plan. 

I know now why I was the only one out of my friends in high school that wasn't dating. No guy could ever hold a candle to Dan. He is a Godly man, a caring man, a hard worker, my rock, and my best friend. I now can thank God for all of those unanswered prayers. 

October 20, 2010, Dan got down on one knee and made me the happiest girl ever. One year and one day later (October 22, 2011) we stood before our family, friends, and most importantly, God, to make a promise to each other. A promise to encourage, to love, to support, and to cherish for better or for worse.

This time a year ago my belly was full of butterflies. No words could express the happiness I felt that day. I still get goose bumps just thinking about the feeling of pure excitement when I heard the songs that our moms walked in to. The moment when you really realize what is actually happening  The few precious moments with my Dad right before we made the walk down the aisle. The moment I turned the corner and saw Dan waiting at the altar. These are moments that will never be forgotten.

 8765.81 hours later, I am able to say that I thought I loved him then. As each day goes by, I realize more and more how truly blessed I am to have someone like Dan by my side at all times. I know God had Dan set aside just for me since before the day we were born. A love like this is not not like the ones out of the chick flicks...this one is better!

365 days have passed and I am happier now than I was then. I had my fairy tale wedding but the real fairy tale is waking up next to that slow-talkin, wrangler-wearin, BIG truck drivin Kentucky boy that I fell in love with four years ago.

The joys of being a farmer’s wife!

Say Cheese!

With only 67 days until Christmas, Dan's family was ready to get the camera ready for some Christmas card pictures.

For those of you that don't know, taking pictures is one of Dan's favorite things to do, right next to shopping. Okay, I may be exaggerating just a tad!

By 9:00 am Saturday morning we were at the farm with smiles on. Well, some had smiles...

Saturday's weather consisted of a drizzle and 85% humidity. This was not a good combination for the hair or the morale.

With my camera set on the tripod and the timer set, we were on our way to having a very interesting time. As the beeper sounded, I ran frantically (while dodging the cow patties) trying to slide into position  allowing myself enough time to fix the hair.

248 pictures later, we were left with a few that were Christmas card worthy. Those worthy pictures will be posted at a later date but please enjoy the bloopers!

Dan being a goober

And I thought the camera was done

Oooops...just kidding

Say cheese!

Priceless

Word of advice, choose a non-humid day with a time frame of after 10:00 am.

The joys of being a camera-loving farmer's wife!

The Luck Pot

Ever have a week where it seems like your pot full of luck has run dry? One of those weeks where you don’t cry over spilled milk but spilled coffee? I have a pretty good feeling that everyone has experienced a rough patch a time or two. It just so happens that this was my “one of those weeks” week where I was left seeing unclear and feeling helpless.

Sunday morning, Dan and I were on our way to being early for Sunday school. This is a very rare thing. As we walked out of the door we began discussing how we were actually going to be early for once. Oh how quickly things change! We somehow managed to lock the house up with no house or car keys in hand. With our spare house key stowed safely on the key rack in the house, Dan ran up to his Granny's house (in the old Jeep) in order to see if she had a key. No such luck....Granny was at church. Once Dan made it back, we made an executive decision to take the Danger Ranger (with a large water tank in the bed). Looking back now, I am unaware of why we didn't just take the Jeep or Ranger in the first place. We always have a key for them. So the one day we were ready on time, we missed Sunday school and barley made it to church on time.

Monday morning, purse in one hand and lunch bag in the other, keys wrapped around a finger while trying to keep a hold  of the cell phone and the death grip on the precious mug of hot, oh so splendid, coffee trying to fit somehow between belly and forearm. Everything was going smoothly until I realized I had to open up the door. In the process of laying the purse down in order to open door the coffee drops helplessly to the floor. Monday morning + lack of coffee= a great way to start the week.

As the days passed I thought my week was looking a little brighter. I was excited to go to the eye doctor to get some new, more comfortable contacts.  After completing the basic eye tests, I was asked to take out my contacts and to go wait in the waiting room. Don’t they realize that removing the contacts usually leads to poor vision? It was bad enough squinting my eyes just so I could at least make it to a chair without knocking something over but now someone was wanting to talk to me. A lady began asking about Dan and the farm while I tried to answer as normal as possible. Lets face it, how normal is it to squint the eyes while leaning in closer in order to see the face of the person you are trying to talk to? 

Just as I thought things would get better at the eye doctor, I quickly realized that I was mistaken. Once in with the doctor, I was advised that he dilate my eyes so he could do a thorough exam. For those that have never had their eyes dilated, make sure you don’t need to read any fine print afterwards. The doctor said that it would be safe to drive but what he didn't tell me is that I wouldn't be able to write a check or even worse, I couldn't go on my weekly couponing trip! I arrived at CVS safely but left extremely irritated. Trying to read the print on the packages and the print on the coupons was nearly impossible. Needless to say, I got in and out of CVS very quickly.

In attempts to brighten my spirit, my next stop was to Tractor Supply so I could buy a new riding helmet. Yes, I still wear a riding helmet. Some of the locals comment on my helmet-wearing habits but when you ride without a helmet and your backside becomes more familiar with the ground than the saddle you quickly reevaluate the possible safety measures that can be taken. With a new, shiny, black helmet that fit my noggin like a glove I was on my way home to try it out….until I found the last straw that broke the camel’s back.

Three horses in the pasture, two come running in and one is left not moving an inch. Thirty antibiotic pills and wound dressing daily, one month stall rest, and several months of healing is what we are left with due to a hunk of wood being lodged into Ms. Annie’s hoof. We are hopeful of a full recovery with time being our biggest obstacle as long as we stay clear of infection. This was difficult to take in seeing as I have seen so much progress in Annie the last two months but, things happen for a reason.

So what did I get out of this “one of those weeks” week?  I can see that the dried up “luck pot” isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A dried up pot of luck can leave you realizing how truly blessed you are. Simple things that you take for granted suddenly mean more than before. I realized that I am blessed enough to be able to afford food to put in my lunch bag and coffee in a mug as well as a having a job to go to in the first place. I am blessed enough that I can put contacts in my eyes and be able to see. I am blessed enough to go home to a loving husband that calls the vet, tries to make me laugh when I just want to cry and even insists me wearing my new helmet around the house just so I can wear it.

My week doesn't even hold a candle to what some may go through on a daily basis but I firmly believe that if you just trust in the Good Lord and believe that he has everything planned out better than we can ever comprehend, you somehow are left appreciating all the simpler things that you take for granted along the way.

The joys of being a very blessed farmer’s wife!