So God made a farmer's wife

Well, it’s that time again! Time for lonely meals for one and a few hours of having the entire bed to myself. I don’t mean to make planting time seem like a burden or anything. I really do miss Dan when I only see him for about five hours in a five day period but having the entire bed to myself for a few hours isn’t so bad. I guess that’s what life is like as a farmer’s wife.

To be quite honest, planting season truly hasn’t made its full debut. This rain three days, dry three days, rain three days cycle is not helping the farmers much.

Dan was blessed enough to get all of his corn planted three weeks ago but his Cousin hasn’t been as lucky. This weather is throwing a lot of farmers off but we sure are glad that we hadn’t started a drought like last year. This time a year ago we had a grand total of under 1 inch of rain with a temperature easily reaching the 80 degree mark . As of now, we have had a total of  nearly 5 inches of rain with an average temperature of 65 degrees. Now that is just crazy. Needless to say, we are happy about the rainfall. Now if we can just keep it coming through the blazing hot summer months.

 Queen of the house

 

With Dan’s busy season in full swing, I am learning to readjust to quiet nights at home. Just me, Gunner, Gracie and Gus. Okay, maybe quiet wasn’t the right term. Maybe chaos is a better term to describe my crazy household! Who is Gus you might ask? Gus is a new addition to our family! I found him stranded in a hole inside the horse barn, all by his lonesome self. He couldn’t have been but three-four weeks old when I found him so of course I picked up this scrawny but beautiful and oh so fluffy little kitten. I do believe I have the word….S.U.C.K.E.R. plastered across my forehead. An animal in need is Ashley’s indeed! I just can’t say no. I broke the news to Dan over the phone but he knew this one wasn’t going anywhere once he saw the kitten formula and bottle on the kitchen table.



My little Gus Gus

Most likely the happiest dog ever...always smiling!

It’s nice having a few buddies to keep me company while Dan’s out in the field until midnight. I sometimes feel like a cold and heartless wife when Dan tells me he will be working late and I don’t get too bummed. I have a slight problem with getting too involved in too many projects. What can I say, I just love projects. Between finishing a few projects around the house, working on my photography, gardening and the horses I somehow find my lonely nights at home slipping by quickly. Thankfully, I have a husband that understands that his wife has a slight ADD/OCD/Extreme need to always be doing something.

Latest Photo Shoot

 

 

 

 

So while Dan is out doing what he loves, I am at home with my house full of animals doing what I love.  Although, after a four day period of not seeing the hubby, we can really appreciate a lazy night at home. Farmer’s lives are definitely one of a kind but it works for us!

It just so happens that I stumbled upon this poem about the life of a farmer’s wife and I just might have to agree with this!

So God made a farmer’s wife

And on the 9th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, "Oh dear, the farmer is going to need help." So God made a farmer's wife.

God said, "I need somebody who will get up before dawn, make breakfast, work all day in the kitchen, bank, school or alongside her farmer and then come home to fix supper and wash us the dishes." So God made a farmer’s wife.

God said, "I need somebody willing to sit up all night with their newborn son. And watch him grow. Then pray each morning and teach her children to say, "please and thank you." I need somebody who can make a fried-egg sandwich, stretch a paycheck or thicken soup, who can clean her house with vinegar, baking soda and hot water. And who, planting time and harvest season, will finish her forty-hour work week on Friday, then, join her farmer in the field for another two days, six meals and five loads of laundry." So God made a farmer’s wife.

God said, "I need somebody strong enough to plant trees and heave bales, to co-sign a loan for a half a million with steady hands, yet gentle enough to tame show lambs and raise kids and calm the farmer when he’s upset over higher rent or lower corn, who will stop her work for an hour to talk on the phone to her neighbor who just found out her mother is sick. Somebody who could cook and clean and not cut corners. Somebody to wash, dry, iron, tidy, feed, rake, water, drive, check the homework and pack the lunch bags and remember the basketball schedule and replenish the refrigerator and finish a hard week’s worth with a five-mile ride to church.

"Somebody who’d sew a family together with the soft strong stitches of sharing, who would laugh and then sigh and then reply, with smiling eyes, when her daughter says she wants to spend her life "doing what mom does," So God made a farmer’s wife.

I thank God everyday for this simple, but honest lifestyle that he blessed me with. There is something so humbling about life on the farm...something I would never trade. Farm life is pure, simple and rewarding. It definitely has it's stressful times but those are the times that we are able to grow closer to the Good Lord. That is when we take the opportunity to cling to Him and allow Him to lead way. This is not the lifesyle many would choose but I am grateful God chose me to be a farmer's wife.


The true joys of being a farmer's wife!

Is it tax time already?

What comes to mind when you think of the month of April? April showers bring May flowers? Or the dreaded….April 15th? According to the IRS, between 20-25 percent of American taxpayers wait until two weeks before the tax deadline to prepare their taxes. That is a large group of procrastinators! Sadly, after dealing with farm taxes this year I can see why people wait to the last minute. They dread that feeling of anger and resentment as they drop their hard-earned money right in to the drop box at the post office. If I could, I would have opened that door and stuck my arm in there in and took what I worked so hard for instead of giving the majority of it to people that are too lazy to work for it.

I am beginning to feel like my grandpa at Christmas dinner when someone brings up politics. When Dan came into the family I instructed him to NEVER EVER bring up politics at the dinner table with my grandpa. He may be the most conservative-minded man I know and gets rather riled when politics become the topic of discussion. I typically don’t get into politics and I frankly don’t have an interest in it. When taxes are mentioned, out comes the Mr. Denzil Ray in me! I understand why we have taxes…when they are used properly. I know that taxes are what makes America the Land of the Free. What I don’t like is when I work my rear end off every day so that those that are too lazy but able to work, don’t. I guess that is something I will never understand. So as I drop my hard-earned money into the mail box, I pray that my money is used to help out those truly in need.

No worries, I stepped off my soap box. I can say that April is actually one of my favorite months. I love being able to get out and spruce up the yard and plant flowers. I’m not much on picking weeds but planting seeds makes up for it. I’m not so sure if I like buying the flower seed packs because they are fun to plant or if it’s because I can buy a lot of seeds for what one pack of flowers cost at Lowe’s. Either way I enjoy the little pack of seed s that you plant and wait 60-90 days for them to showcase themselves. This year will be far more interesting that last year seeing as I planted on one of the windiest days of the year. I know it wasn’t the wisest decision but I was too excited to be patient. I may have a yard of random flowers scattered about instead of neatly lined in my flower beds. I guess that’s what happens when opened seed packs go flying with the wind!

Thankfully, I had a little assistance this past weekend from my parents. As soon as I knew they were making a trip in I made a rather large to-do list for my Dad. He loves to work outside so I put him to work! We had a full weekend of home-improvement projects both inside and out. I don’t know if he realized what he was getting himself into. While Dad had a hay day with trimming the shrubs, I used Mom’s planting abilities to finish planting the shrubs I bought. Now if I could just inherit her green thumb!

With the majority of yard work done for now, it is time for some play. As things begin to green up I actually have the desire to get out and get some photography practice in. Dan’s cousin’s wife, Beth, is a hobbyist photographer like myself. Although she is a great photographer, taking family pictures (with her in it) is a difficult task when it requires setting a timer on the camera and running into place. We spent a gorgeous afternoon getting some practice!

Nice Meetin' Y'all!

Long time, no talk! I am proud to say that since the last time I wrote I am ten pounds lighter with this tax burden off my shoulders! This was my first year dealing with farm taxes and guess what my opinion of it is......POO!! Just plain 'ol poo! A farmer's tax situation is not a very pleasant situation come April 15th but I guess this is just the beginning.

With 2012 documents safely stowed away in boxes, I can breathe for a few months. If only that was true. After spending three hours with our CPA I found out what all I need to keep track of and do. With that being the case, I guess I will be doing book work from now until April 15th..2014!

In the midst of pure chaos due to tax season I was able to get in a photo shoot with a friend's newborn. I guess I never really thought about how difficult it would be to take pictures of a baby that was constantly crying. Babies are such beautiful miracles...and then they won't stop crying. I know that comes along with the baby thing but oh my! I guess that just means I need more practice...baby anyone??

 

Has anyone ever noticed that you could go a good month or two with a relatively open calendar and then BAM...not enough hours in the day? That's about par as Spring rolls on in. March passes quickly, too quickly in fact. I blinked twice and realized that my license plate sticker was due to expire the 31st of March. That typically isn't an issue except when you need to re license in a different state. I've been a major procrastinator when it came to taking care of licensing my car in Kentucky but I knew it would involve me jumping several hurdles. In order to get things switched over properly, a trip to Kentucky was in store for Dad. Luckily, a trip for him involves a 45 minute airplane ride instead of a 3 hours car drive.

For those that don't know my Dad very well, he is a riot. He tends to be very witty and sociable in the most random situations. We spent one afternoon at the courthouse in attempt to switch things over and I believe we left the fine ladies in the office with splitting sides. I'm not so sure that after spending an hour in the office with us they wanted to say, "Now where did she find that Goober?" Dad has a way of making friends wherever he goes. So with title and registration in hand we left the office as Dad bid the friendly women goodbye by saying, "It was nice meetin' y'all!"

I believe I left my jaw on the floor at the courthouse because that was a true jaw dropping statement
. My Dad. A Northerner. Y'ALL. WOW!!I immediately looked right at him and brought it to his attention that he had been corrupted.It is a proven fact that the longer you are in one culture the more like them you become.
My Dad has officially crossed the Mason - Dixon Line and said Y'all. That makes for one very proud daughter!

After such a defining moment in time I knew Dad would ponder the details the entire way back to Illinois. Sure enough he sent me an addition for my blog the very next day.

Please enjoy this nice addition, free of charge.

                                   I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of writing the attached

                                   article for your blog. 

                                   Hope you like it!

                                   Dad

                                 

"Nice meetin’ ya’all!" rolled effortlessly through my lips as Ashley and I walked out of the County Clerk’s Office. Ashley remarked that I sounded like a native, and that those words could be the makings of a blog posting. I agreed with her as I silently contemplated the details of the story she would write. As another moderately talented writer I pondered those details and wondered to myself if I wrote an article would she post it? I thought she might.

It was a good day for flying. Well maybe a little bit of wind and some light chop, but nothing a 1,500 hour pilot in a Mooney would give a second thought to. And the wind at cruise altitude was right square on the tail, all 40 knots. As I sat comfortably in that old Mooney with the autopilot flying the airplane and clicking off better than 3 miles a minute I thought about how sharp Al Mooney’s mind must have been when he designed this airplane. He sure knew how to get the speed out of a 180 horsepower engine. And isn’t that why people buy airplanes in the first place, to go fast?

Not only was I flying, I was on a mission. (Flying for a purpose is always better than just boring holes in the sky.) Illinois title in hand, the task for the afternoon was to get Ashley’s car registered in Kentucky. Getting her car removed from my insurance policy was an added benefit.

Fifty-five minutes after takeoff I touched down in Kentucky. Given the tailwind I arrived 15 minutes before I told Ashley to expect me. But that was no problem. I noticed my friend Charlie Phelps pulling into the airport parking lot. Charlie has a hanger full of 7 airplanes, and another one that wouldn’t fit parked in a neighbor’s hangar. With four Piper Tomahawks, Charlie is going to be a rich(er) man if the value of those little airplanes every takes off. He showed me his latest acquisition, proudly pointing out that he painted it "with spray cans from Wal-Mart". And it didn’t look bad, at least not from 25 feet.

Soon Ashley drove up, and we headed to the courthouse. She told me that after waiting five days (to be honest, that did include a weekend) she finally received a quote and evidence of Kentucky insurance as required per the County Clerk. I told her that where I work we try to get things done a little quicker. Ashley explained to me that the lady at the insurance agency was "a good woman" and her desk was really full. I believed her on both counts. And the coverage and price both looked good to me.

As we walked up the stone steps into the Courthouse I felt like we were taking a step back in time. I could almost hear Judge Chamberlain Haller (in "My Cousin Vinny", my favorite movie of all time) informing Vinny Gambini that the system of criminal justice here is Caldwell County is every bit as sophisticated as it is New York.

I want you to know that the people we met with were professional. But they were also friendly, kind, and considerate. They knew their business, but equally important, they knew how to treat people.

A part of the process of registering a vehicle in Kentucky is a $5.00 inspection by the Sheriff’s office. While that inspection was taking place I read the "Wanted" posters. I also noticed a plaque on the wall. It contained a line attributed to Andy Griffith: "Good law enforcement is more about how you treat people than it is about following the book."

Inspection certificate in hand, it was back to the County Clerk’s office to pick out a license plate. The lady who helped us told Ashley if she ever needed any help with her paperwork to come back and she would be glad to help her. I believed her implicitly.

Our paperwork complete, we headed for the door. The County Clerk stood up and said "nice meeting you", to which I replied "nice meetin’ ya’all" – and I meant it!


Oh the joys of being a farmer's wife...in Kentucky!

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!

So God Made a Farmer

Ok ya'll, I am going to be 100% honest with you and throw something out there...I don't care for football. Not even in the least little bit. I see football players as a bunch of barbaric men with testosterone issues. I understand it takes athletic ability, skill as well as some major dedication but none the less, football is garbage. I apologize if I am offending anyone out there but just hear me out.

Professional football players typically make around $1.9 million for a season that consists of 17 weeks and 16 games. That comes out to about $118,750.00 per game. To me, that just seems a tad ridiculous. These professional athletes spend a few years in the spot light and walk away with more money than most people could ever dream of making in a lifetime.

I believe football is good for one thing...the Super Bowl! If you are like me and only watch football when the Super Bowl comes around you understand that it isn’t the game that's worth watching. We are merely watching the Super Bowl for the half time show and the commercials.This year, the Super Bowl left me with goosebumps but it wasn't from the power outage or the close game. After watching two commercials in particular I realized I didn’t just waste four hours of my Sunday night.

The Budweiser commercial is a given. You have the iconic Clydesdale horse displayed in a tender commercial that that demonstrated the delicate connection between man and horse. I will admit to being wrong about a lot of things but one thing I know for sure is that there is something so special about the bond between a man and a horse.

Then you have the Dodge commercial. I don't think I have ever been left with such emotion after watching a two minute commercial. The late Paul Harvey narrated his "So God Made a Farmer" speech which he gave at the National Future Farmers of America Convention in 1978. Dodge really outdid themselves. What better way to put it all into perspective. What better time to thank our farmers than during the most watched TV event in the United States.

And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, “I need a caretaker.” So God made a farmer.

God said, “I need somebody willing to get up before dawn, milk cows, work all day in the fields, milk cows again, eat supper and then go to town and stay past midnight at a meeting of the school board.” So God made a farmer.

“I need somebody with arms strong enough to rustle a calf and yet gentle enough to deliver his own grandchild. Somebody to call hogs, tame cantankerous machinery, come home hungry, have to wait lunch until his wife’s done feeding visiting ladies and tell the ladies to be sure and come back real soon — and mean it.” So God made a farmer.

God said, “I need somebody willing to sit up all night with a newborn colt. And watch it die. Then dry his eyes and say, ‘Maybe next year.’ I need somebody who can shape an ax handle from a persimmon sprout, shoe a horse with a hunk of car tire, who can make harness out of haywire, feed sacks and shoe scraps. And who, planting time and harvest season, will finish his forty-hour week by Tuesday noon, then, pain’n from ‘tractor back,’ put in another seventy-two hours.” So God made a farmer.

God had to have somebody willing to ride the ruts at double speed to get the hay in ahead of the rain clouds and yet stop in mid-field and race to help when he sees the first smoke from a neighbor’s place. So God made a farmer.

God said, “I need somebody strong enough to clear trees and heave bails, yet gentle enough to tame lambs and wean pigs and tend the pink-combed pullets, who will stop his mower for an hour to splint the broken leg of a meadow lark. It had to be somebody who’d plow deep and straight and not cut corners. Somebody to seed, weed, feed, breed and rake and disc and plow and plant and tie the fleece and strain the milk and replenish the self-feeder and finish a hard week’s work with a five-mile drive to church.

“Somebody who’d bale a family together with the soft strong bonds of sharing, who would laugh and then sigh, and then reply, with smiling eyes, when his son says he wants to spend his life ‘doing what dad does.’” So God made a farmer.




After watching that commercial I wanted to jump and shout to the world that my husband is a farmer. I’ve never felt such pride in the fact of being a farmer’s wife until that commercial was plastered across millions of T.Vs in America.  That commercial advertised the cold hard facts about the life of a farmer. The dedication, the time, the patience, the perseverance, the knowledge and the work ethic that it takes to be a farmer is something many do not understand...until that one commercial.

So now on to why I don't think football players are worth the $1.9 million. On average, a crop farmer brings in between $20,000-$75,000 in one years time.My husband is a farmer that works dawn till dusk. He is a strong man with true compassion for not only others but animals as well. He has the patience to work on equipment into the wee hours of the morning. He is a Godly man with real down home values. God made farmers to be strong-willed individuals with a work ethic out of this world. Although farmers make only a fraction of what a professional football player makes, God made farmers for a reason. He knew that not just any man had the characteristics to be a farmer; it takes a special individual to be a farmer.

The joys of being a farmer's wife...and I am darn proud of it!!

Why hello stranger!

Hey there! I  know, I know....I am slacking on my blogging duties! I was doing pretty good there for a while with posting new stories on a semi-regular basis but things have been just a tad interesting around here. I really thought that the winter time would keep me locked up inside with the creative juices a flowin but I was mistaken! Although I've been stuck inside more than normal, I have found myself occupying my time with other things so forgive me if you thought I fell off the side of the Earth! 

Life really has been rather quiet here in the valley. With Dan's "busy season" just around the corner I feel like I need to be spending as much time with him as I can which means putting the blogging thing on the back burner just for a bit.

Actually, our nights have been kind of funny lately. The past couple of weeks Dan and I have created a routine. After dinner, Dan and Gunner go sit in the chair by the fire place and do a little channel surfing while looking at farm equipment on the phone. As Dan does his thing, I sprawl out on the couch with the Kindle and a glass of wine in hand.
Is it sad that at the age of 22 I am trying to teach myself how to relax at night instead of checking things off my to-do list? As 9:00 rolls around I find random things to do around the house instead of winding down for the night. There is no denying the fact that I am my father's daughter! I am now left with rethinking my nightly activities since Dan informed me that he watches me circle the house 4-5 times on a daily basis in efforts of cleaning. Thankfully, I am learning this thing people call "relaxing" pretty well. I'm not sure if it's the reading, the sitting or the wine that is relaxing but all I have to say is that I am thrilled that the county finally went wet. This "relaxing" thing sure is causing my wine stash to decrease at a much quicker rate than before!  

Although its been quiet around here, a few home improvements have taken place. First and foremost, we finally broke down and bought a new refrigerator!! I never understood why people got so excited over buying new home appliances but I think I finally get it. I think I have finally hit the "adult" stage of my  life! I could have shelves that didn't lean to one side, door shelves that didn't fall when you opened the door, produce bins that pulled out, and an ice maker that actually worked. We are now proud owners of this glorious piece of appliance that I love so dearly! Life in the kitchen will never be the same!


Most adults can appreciate the replacement of any home appliance but we replaced something that I'm not sure many would get too excited over...the toilet seat! Maybe I am just weird but I have never been so excited over a $20.00 home improvement piece. As Dan and I stood in front of the toilet seat section in Wal-Mart I thought to myself, why haven't we done this months ago? There are seats that are super heavy-duty wood, the plastic that won't slam shut, the ones with cushions....so many choices!

While winter is a great time to complete some home improvement projects, I believe if Spring wanted to come a little early I wouldn't be disappointed! I am ready to get outside and get some more photography practice under my belt. Cold weather couldn't keep me inside when it came to taking some engagement pictures of my best friend Emily and her new fiance. With a temperature of 33 degrees, taking pictures became a difficult task when my fingers became so cold that I couldn't change the settings or press the button to take the shot. Emily was such a trooper though. She toughed it out in a sleeveless shirt and coat less while I wore three layers and a coat! I am super happy with how they turned out. Now I just need to find a workshop or class to take!

Hopefully the next time we meet it wont be a month down the road but I can't make any promises!

Oh the joys of being a farmer's wife...with tax season right around the corner!

The Most Wonderful Time Of Year

Well folks, January 2013 is here! It blows my mind how quickly a years’ time flies by and I haven't even hit the 30 year old mark! Kinda scary if you ask me. Due my inability to juggle a career, time with the hubby, Christmas shopping/baking/crafting, animals, etc., this blog may be rather lengthy in order to catch ya'll up to speed since Thanksgiving. Go grab a couple of those Christmas cookies that are still staring at you through the container in the corner and a tall glass of hot cocoa 'cause this may be a long night.

And the animals take over...

With the Christmas season in full swing, it was time to hit the mall and work on crossing off my Christmas gift list. Sometimes I feel as if my craftiness is a bad thing. I absolutely love making gifts for people which typically bites me in the butt. Some may think that crafting is the easy and cheap way out of gifts but let me be the first one to tell you that those people are wrong! The problem with making gifts is that it usually is pricey and extremely time consuming. I know it would be easier to just buy gifts but come on, what’s the fun in that??
So as December came in with a bang, my spare bedroom was hit by the crafting tornado!

One Wreath

Two Wreaths

As the cold weather began to take residence, Dan decided that it might be a good time to sell the herd of cattle behind our house. This particular herd was just down right crazy. No exaggeration!  This herd contained the cows that couldn't understand that a fence served a purpose. This is the same herd that we had issues with all Spring…you know, the ones that got out every other day and led us on wild cow chases. We typically don't sell the mamma cows but it was time to sell before someone got hurt. Lets face it, cows aren't the brightest animal that God put on this earth! After several attempts at rounding the herd into the pen, Dan realized that it was time to call in the professionals. A man brought his horse and a pack of dogs to show these cows/calves who was boss. For those that are interested, Black Mouth Curs are extreme cattle dogs. They would run in opposite directions forming a circle around the cows. If a cow was daring enough to run away, the dog would attach itself to the ear, nose, or neck of the cow without letting go! My horses were watching the chaos from across the road and seemed a tad concerned with their own safety!

December seemed to pass on without a second thought of slowing down. The majority of the month was spent baking and preparing for Christmas. Luckily, I was able to sneak in a little fun…photography! I had a friend that was interested in getting a few shots of her baby as well as a friend that wanted some pictures for Christmas cards. I have a lot of learning yet to do but I am enjoying this photography thing! Next stop, photography classes!

With Christmas a week away, things became a little hectic!  It just so happens that Dan’s birthday falls two days before Christmas! While trying to juggle the baking, wrapping, and finishing the gift list, we took a day to celebrate Dan’s big day! When asked where he wanted to eat, Dan’s only answer was somewhere he could get a steak! Go Figure!

Gunner was Dan’s early birthday present that he got back in November and lets just say our life hasn't been the same! Gunner is continually growing a personality. He is probably the sweetest and most affectionate dog I have seen. I believe his favorite place is sitting right in your lap. This may become an issue when he weighs 60lbs. I fear I am the one to blame for that one! So as the cold month of December continued, you could find Dan and the big boy Gunner napping on the couch! Yea…some farm dog ;) We now have enough treats and toys to last us until next Christmas thanks to the parents and grandparents buying gifts for Gunner! If this is how it is with a puppy I can’t even fathom what it would be like with an actual human child!

I have to say that I ended 2012 right! The last weekend in December was spent celebrating a friends last night out as a single woman! Although Nashville is less than 2 hours away, this was my first night on the town. We spent the day at a nail salon getting manis and pedis. For the records, I've been to a nail salon before but this one was an experience in itself. I stuck with just a mani due to the fact that I have extremely ticklish feet. I sat down at a table where my Vietnamese nail lady wore a black tank top, a black studded belt, and a sweat band on her wrist that said “Beast Mode”. Hmm…it is 30 degrees out and you are wearing a tank top and sweat band around wrist. Interesting!  So as I sat there wondering what I could possibly talk about with this "beast" of a woman, she broke the ice by asking me here I was from. I quickly informed her that I was from Western Kentucky and here for a bachelorette party. She was sitting there working extensively on my poorly manicured hands as I apologized for my unkept nails. I attempted to explain to her that I lived on a farm so keeping nice nails was a difficult task. While picking up my bottle of a pale, copper fingernail polish she quickly stated, “Simple farm girl.” It was right then that I realized that my lifestyle must be plastered right across my forehead. Yes, I am a farm girl that likes to dress in jeans, plain tops, and boots but is it that noticeable to other people? A Vietnamese woman quickly stereotyped me. Farm Girl meets The City….I feel like this could be the basis for a very interesting movie. I now know that the city is NOT for me!

As we ring in the new year, I can sit back and reminisce what all took place within a years time! I believe the top 12 of 2012 include:

1)      Closer walk with God-
I grew up in a Church. I was blessed with a religious family. I know that God is my Lord and Savior but this past year has led me down the road where I walked a little a closer to God. I have a greater understanding of what it is like to have God as your primary focus in life. Its amazing what God does when you put him first.

2)      Celebrating our first anniversary-
I have been blessed beyond belief with my husband. This was by far a “God thing”. I can’t imagine my life without Dan. He can make me smile when I am in “one of those moods”, encourages me when I am down, shows me on a daily basis that some things just aren't that important, allows me to see that sometimes you need to be a true Kentuckian and just slow down,  and he shows me that sometimes it is just easier to do something even though if it was your choice, it would be the last thing you would do. Words cannot describe our first year of marriage. Its one of those things where you can’t imagine it getting any better... and then It does!

3)      Family-
Family time is one of those things I hold close to my heart. The one thing better than having a family that you love dearly is having two! I am so blessed with my family as well as Dan’s family. Whats great is having both families (including extended family) come together and you feel like everyone has known each other for years. Although I live three hours from my family, I make it a point to remain close with everyone and do my best to put family first because what would life be like without family?

4)      Big Girl Job-
My degree was in Agricultural Business  but my career is in Construction Management…interesting! I have been blessed with a great company to work for with a bonus of only being 10minutes away from home!

5)      Dan finishing college-
Dan has officially completed his college career! After moving home in December of last year, Dan was a few classes shy of holding his degree. Dan has completed his degree requirements and go do what he does best…FARM!!

6)      Family Vacation-
I was lucky enough to spend a week in Florida with my mom’s side of the family this year. Although we had some interesting things to deal with while there, I wouldn't trade the time spent with the family for anything!

7)      First year of farming-
Dan had his first year of full-time farming. 2012 was a tough year for Dan to start out due to the major drought but thankfully, the Good Lord provided and Dan had an impressive year considering the circumstances. We were fortunate enough to be able to purchase a combine as well as a semi truck and a few other important pieces  for the farm. We thank God for allowing Dan's first year to be manageable and pray for good crops this next year.

8)      Brother gets married-
My brother finally bites the bullet and says "I Do" to his best friend. Time sure flies by! Seems like just yesterday we were racing our hermit crabs in the sandbox. Here we are both married and starting the next chapter of our lives. 

9)      Friends-
Living in a small town most definitely has its perks but the lack of people our age can be a bummer. Thankfully, Dan and I have established friendships with several married couples our age. It really helps having people to call when you want to go out even if it is just up to Coon Dog. Small Town, USA is a wonderful place but without friends, I believe I would get a tad lonely!

10)   Photography-
Buying a DSLR camera might possibly be one of the best purchases I have made. I still have a LOT to learn but there is something so amazing about capturing peoples emotions and actions that allow them to reminisce and create wonderful memories.

11)   Engagements-
2012 has been a year of engagements! One of my best friends who just so happened to be my maid of honor is newly engaged and planning a wedding in June! Another friend of mine is engaged and wedding is scheduled in just a few weeks. I am so excited for them to experience the pure bliss of marriage!

12)   GUNNER-
We lost a great dog a few months ago and he will certainly not be forgotten. Although Pete's loss was difficult, God placed one amazing puppy into our lives. Gunner has quickly stolen our hearts and is a great addition to our family!

So as we bid 2012 farewell and welcome 2013, I will leave you with some food for thought. I read this poem a while ago and feel like this is a good wish for 2013.

                                            "I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that smalles joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Good-bye.."




To all of my friends and family, I wish you enough!

The joys of being a farmer's wife!