A change of pace

Is it winter? No, I think its spring. Wait, maybe winter? Oh I just give up! One minute I’m wearing my bibs and insulated muck boots, the next I am pulling out the t-shirts. I have come to realize that this whole Kentucky weather is a mess! I’ve heard time and time again that if you don’t like the weather in Kentucky, just wait until tomorrow. Somehow this is the most honest answer I have ever heard. Weather in Kentucky is very similar to a woman going through menopause…freezing one minute, hot flashes the next.

Needless to say, the month of February was mainly spent indoors. It just so happens that the National Farm Machinery takes place in February. This is a prime opportunity for farmers (and their wives) to get out and have a change of scenery. The Farm Show is a place where many get to meet up with their buddies, walk around and oogle at millions of dollars worth of machinery and equipment and watch the Championship Tractor Pulls. If I was an old farmer I believe I might consider that Heaven on Earth.

There might be just one issue with the Farm Show….it typically falls on Valentine’s Day or Valentine’s Day weekend. As a friend stated so eloquently…”National Farm Machinery Show…Leaving wives and girlfriends lonely on Valentine’s Day for over 30 years” Thankfully, Valentine’s Day doesn’t rank very high in my book. Yes, Dan and I did go out for a nice dinner and he even sent flowers to my office but spending the weekend in Louisville is more exciting than cheesy cards and a box of chocolates. So as many women were wined and dined, I was lucky enough to spend the weekend watching tractor pulls and looking at farm machinery….with a death grip on the checkbook of course!

The first year I went to the Farm Show I was so shocked at the vast amount of farm equipment under one roof that it was difficult to take it all in. This year, I am proud to say that I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I’m not sure if it’s the fact that I am now married to a farmer and have a little more knowledge about the new Kinze 4900 series planter with the 42 degree wing flex that we stood in front of (yes, I actually know what that meant too!), the fact that this type of equipment is what helps put food on our table, or if I am just a supportive wife that will do just about anything that pertains to farming because my husband eats, breathes and sleeps it. Either way, the 2013 National Farm Machinery Show was a blast!

Look at this fine piece of machinery!

So, Farm Show one weekend followed by a trip to Murray the next…this is pretty exciting stuff for the “old" married couple that looks forward to the typical Friday night dates to Wal-Mart! The Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity held its annual Founder’s Day which is very similar to a college reunion. If I was a guy, I would want nothing more than to be a part of the AGR fraternity. That is one of the closest bunch of men you will ever see! Weddings, funerals, parties, functions…they travel in a pack. They are truly bonded by the brotherhood!

Part of the pack

The only way the weekend could have been any better was if I could have stayed in Murray just a little longer. I love living in the Valley but there is something so exciting about having several restaurant choices besides the local country café. With a new BBQ / Brick oven pizza joint coming soon, the folks in the Valley are about to be living high on the hog but its not the same as having two Mexican restaurants, Applebee’s, Chinese, etc. You then have CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and Wal-Mart to choose from PLUS clothing stores! What’s not to like?? Going from all of that to just one country café and a Dollar General is kind of a shock. At least this was something I was accustom to pre-college era. The town I lived in for 18 years only had a café, gas station, bank, two churches and three taverns (now that’s a different story for a different day!). You just have to love small town living!

My girls!

February has been a fun month of travel. It’s exciting to get out of the Valley and do spontaneous things while we still have our freedom…somewhat. We’ve heard on numerous occasions to get out and do before the kiddos come along. What’s funny is that the majority of these people don’t realize that we basically have kids already…yes, they may be hairy and four legged but major responsibility none the less. A weekend trip becomes difficult when you have a farm full of animals that need to be taken care of. I have a feeling that taking care of a child is relatively similar besides the fact that you can’t load them up and sell them if they misbehave.  No, we have plenty of time for that next chapter.  Is it sad that there is a bet going around the fraternity house as to how soon we would have kids? For your information, the vast majority has already lost. The idea of having kids sounds great, but in the future. As of right now, I enjoy my complete peace and quiet and the ability to do what I want, when I want...with Dan's approval of course!

So as for me, I think I will just stick to my furry four legged friends for now.

The joys of being a farmer’s wife!