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!

So what exactly is success?

Success is determined in various ways along the road. As we hit these different mile markers our idea of success changes.  At age 4, success is measured by not peeing in your pants. Age 13, officially a teenager. Age 16, hello driver’s license. Age 18, now recognized as an adult, the ability to vote, ability to enlist in the army, ability to be sentenced to prison, or possibly just head to college. Age 21, “Long Island Ice Tea please.” Age 25, graduate college, say “I Do”, and reduction in car insurance. Age 35, establish a career and family. Age 50, AARP. Age 55, graduations and weddings. Age 65, time to whip out the Medicare card. Age 90, not peeing in your pants. Age 100, have your picture on a Smucker's jar on the Today Show (Granny B. will hopefully have her picture on the Today Show this October!!)

Why am I going over the different age mile markers you ask? Well you see my dad just had his 55^th   mile marker. Some people may wince at the idea of reaching the next stage of success but I believe this is one my dad was thrilled to reach.

The Birthday Boy

I can only imagine being a parent and sending your kids off to college. I don’t know what would be more difficult, pulling away and leaving your child behind or pulling out the pocket book when tuition is due. Either way college is definitely a  time of change for parents. These changes usually lead to a remodeling of the house, addition of WiFi Internet and a big screen TV  with surround sound I might add. I don’t know if these are mid-life crisis changes or ways to entice the children to come visit. 

Within a years’ time, my parents will have married off both of their kids. I believe my brother’s wedding will be a tad easier on my parents than mine was. It may possibly be because they don’t have to pay for this wedding or it may be that they are still in wedding mode.  Either way, they have made it known that they are so blessed to have both kids graduated from college, both have good jobs, and both have found their significant others. This seems to be very rare these days.

Like the age old saying goes, “Age is just a number.” My dad is the busiest 55 year old I have ever known. He may be getting close to retiring age but he is the type of person that wouldn't be happy sittin at home watching soap operas and eating bon bons. He can crunch numbers in his head all day long and can beat us young whippersnappers at mental math any day. Who says you loose mental ability once you go over the hill? Dad is relatively techno savvy but if he ever comes over, you best be hiding your TV remote!! I believe the last three times we had issues with our TV just so happened to be the last three times my parents came down to visit. He somehow manages to mess up the TV every time he comes in. I now hide the remote and don’t allow him to touch any electronic device.

I have come to the conclusion that age IS just a number. I have been told time and time again that I have an old soul. Yes, I am a 22 year old that enjoys saving money, making things from scratch, going to bed early, and not driving past dark. The sad thing is, I just realized today that the last part is so true it isn't even funny. As Dan and I are driving to Illinois Saturday I realized how many bug guts are on my windshield. I honestly can’t remember the last time my windshield was that dirty! I began pondering what made my windshield so dirty. Oh yea, Dan drove to Nashville Friday night to pick up a friend from the airport. Night driving attracts bugs to windshield. It has been so long since I drove past dark that I wasn't used to seeing the ruminants of night driving. Wow…a 22 year old that already doesn't drive past dark. This is not looking very promising!

So as I celebrate a new age of success with my dad, I can appreciate the fact that age means diddly squat. Yes, your knees may buckle while your belt wont and a faucet drip may lead to a sudden bladder urge but like a fine wine, you get better with time! Growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional. 

I can say I look forward to my car insurance discount but until then, I will enjoy my early bed time and lack of bug guts on my windshield.

Oh the joys of being an "old soul" farmer's wife!

It's Fall Ya'll!

As of Saturday, autumn is officially here! The hustle and bustle of the harvest season is in full swing. We are very welcoming of the cooler temperatures, crisp air, and CALVES!

Now that homework and studying are things of the past, I am able to do what I love best...crafting, decorating, horsing around and taking pictures!

Craft of the day

I love antiquing

My lil girl is growing up so fast

Good ol' Dakota

View from the house

A boy and his dog

Good ol' Kentucky sunset

I was able to enjoy a Saturday at home and some more time behind the camera. Maybe within the next 10 years I can fully understand how to use this thing!

Once Dan got back from the field Saturday afternoon, Pete and I loaded up into the Jeep to go check on the cattle and beans at the other farm. I believe this was the first day we were able to come in close proximity to Pete since Thursday. Pete + Skunk = Skunk Wins and we left with one stinky dog! It's bad enough having a dog sprayed by a skunk but then when the dog jumps all over the husband and covers husband's face with skunk fumes, you are left with a stinky dog AND a stinky husband! Thankfully, we have found the cure all pill for skunk spray. Move over tomato juice, there is a new remedy in town. Mix baking soda + Dawn + Hydrogen Peroxide and say goodbye to the awful skunk mist!

One happy dog

I think checking cows/beans is Pete's favorite past time...besides chasing  the rooster

Beans, beans, and more beans!!

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it is a duck blind in the shape of a cow. When Dan wasn't in the field, he and some buddies built a duck blind to like Ol' Betsy. This was the first time I had seen the cow blind and I was rather impressed. It really did resemble a cow... minus the extremely out of proportion body. The real cows that share the pasture with Ol' Betsy are convinced it is one of them. Ol' Betsy had cow hair all over her and it looked like she was messed with. I just hope she didn't have an awkward encounter with the bull...

The duck blind...A.K.A. Ol' Betsy

Betsy's head

Betsy's side drops down when the birds come a flyin

I am now left with a normal smelling dog, a house full of fall decorations and hundreds of pictures of random farm things on the computer.

Oh how I love Saturdays and being a farmer's wife!

Let The Chaos Begin

Well it has been darn right crazy around here. I think fall is simply a crazy, hectic, but oh so wonderful time of year! Dan has been working long hours with his cousin trying to shell their corn, as well as getting ready to cut his own beans. One thing is for sure, fall has definitely been much more promising than the previous summer months! Rain has been plentiful and the beans are GROWING!!! The army worms are long gone and the light is shinning at the end of the tunnel.

Dan might just have some beans to cut with his new toy!

Work has been keeping me busy along with trying to fulfill my "wifely duties" of cooking, cleaning and attempting to keep up with Dan's dirty clothes. Squeezing an afternoon ride in these days is getting much more difficult as the days just get shorter. Nothing clears the mind better than a good ride! Part of the pure craziness might just be my own darn fault. I have recently been introduced to the couponing world. I always thought those that were serious into couponing were down right nuts. Well...they proved me wrong! My friend has shown me her ways. Now I am nowhere near her skill level just yet but I recently had a shopping trip that ranks up there. With a bill ringing up to $58.67 and left paying $6.00, I think I might just stick to this new hobby!!

With Dan working long hours lately, some are concerned with how I am handling the "transition period" of being a farmer's wife. Thankfully, I am very good at entertaining myself. Between the horses, blogging, couponing, baking, and playing with my camera, I can't seem to find enough hours in the day to finish what I want to do. Yes, it is hard not seeing Dan like I did before harvest but that just means I get to spend my Friday nights in the cab of a combine.This might not be an ideal date night to some, but I think I just might be able to get used to it. As I climbed up into the combine with Dan Friday, Brian, Dan's cousin, had his wife, Beth, and two kids, Bradley (8) and Lillian (7), climb up in his combine to ride too. For those of you that aren't familiar with the size of a combine cab, it is tight quarters for two people let alone 2 adults and 2 kids. Beth usually brings the guys dinner in the field and packs along the kids so they can spend a couple of hours in the field with dad. Family time in the cab of a combine...I can't think of anything better!

Ryan and Gena trying to not break the ribbon

With my big brother getting married in October, the wedding activities add to the chaos just a tad. It is just so crazy to think that this time a year ago I was going through the same wedding festivities. It is all so exciting but darn right exhausting.

Me and the Groom-To-Be

Wedding Dress Cupcakes I made

So as if the next couple of months couldn't get any crazier, I think it is time to plan bonfires and wienny roasts with the friends!


The joys of being a farmer's wife!

Invasion of the Army Worm

Rain + Growing Beans = The Army Worm

One of the hoodlums

July and August have been good to us. Nearly 7+ inches of rain since July 4th has caused a complete turn around from the previous months. Although the rain came too late for the corn farmers, the bean farmers have been able to see a small glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel. 


Until the army worm...

Army Worm Buffet

Dan walked out into the field one day and army worms had completely taken over. They had been glutenous little creatures and nibbled on the bean leaves like it was a Ponderosa buffet line. Apparently this type of insect only invades every couple of years. They come in in hordes (hence the name army worm) and invade. This type of infestation is due to moth migrations from the south and are primarily a pest of grasses and small grain crops.They hide under the leaves during the day and feed at night which is why considerable damage is done before it is even noticed. Such sneaky little things!

Don't these army worms realize we are having a terrible crop year without their help!

On a brighter note, I am a proud parent of a rooster! The last remaining chicken has recently announced it 's gender. Daniel's great grandmother, Granny B, has been my chicken mentor since the day those three furry-butt baby chicks stepped foot on our farm. She raised a chicken or two back in her prime and is of great knowledge. One day Daniel's grandmother, Granny, called up Granny B and got to talking about the chicken. She asked Granny B how to determine the chicken's gender. Granny B quickly stated that you would either find an egg or hear a crow. OK...I think I might just be able to figure this one out...maybe!

So a few weeks ago I caught the chicken laying down and flinging dirt on its back. It would dig a hole in the dirt then lay down. It was extremely strange. Granny thought that this just might be a sign of it trying to lay eggs. Like a giddy little school girl I made it a cozy little place to lay eggs in. Several days later, still no egg.

When I got back home from Florida I had a chicken that started to grow some rather large tail feathers. By now this chicken is well on to being 3 months old...old enough to either be a hen or rooster. No egg. No crow. I think this chicken is down right confused with what it is supposed to be. All of this confusion until last week.

One morning I was feeding the horses and the chicken greeted me with what sounded like a rooster going through puberty. I wish I could attach a sound recording because it is darn right funny. That poor thing let out a very strange and loud screech. He practiced and practiced but no such luck to getting it to sound like a true rooster's crow. The very next morning my little unknown gendered chicken turned into a full grown rooster. It let out a full blown rooster crow.....even though he was about 3 hours late of sunrise.

What What Chicken Butt

We now know that my chicken is a rooster and he lets me know every morning for 10 minutes straight while he crows with the best of  'em.

They like to scratch each others back

Little Miss Annie Herself

She is such a ham!

Oh the joys of being a farmer's wife!

Vacation Shenanigans

"John, you better go grab yourself a stiff drink, your phone and a chair." These are not soothing words to ones ears the moment they walk into the beach house that has been rented for the week.

So to bring you up to speed let me begin by saying that we took a family vacation to Destin, FL with my mom's side of the family.

Her family had stayed at this exact home seven years prior. They all enjoyed the lovely home set right on the beach. Everyone agreed that this was the place they wanted to stay.
The pictures on the internet looked just the same as it did back then so it seemed like a good choice.
The pictures were taken back before Hurricane Dennis struck land in Destin, FL...

With my family (mom, dad and Dan) being the last to arrive at the house, we were greeted in uneasy terms. This was not the place that everyone remembered. Wood floors were stained and "dirty" looking. Blinds were tattered. Windows were rusted. Paint was chipped. Ceilings were moldy. Emotions were running haywire.

How could a real estate owner allow good and innocent people to stay in such a dump?? As everyone attempted to brighten their spirits one thing led to another. We went on to take our bags to our designated rooms. Dan and I were assigned the pull out couch. OK...not exactly what I was thinking but I can cope. That was until we tried to pull the bed out. After yanking the beggebies out of the folded up frame, Dan finally unfolded a pure masterpiece....a lumpy and tattered mattress. Dan attempted to sit on this fine piece of furniture until he sank right to the floor. Somehow the bed had one remaining spring holding up the mattress. This was NOT going to work.

Completely distraught we decided the next best thing was to stay in the bunk room.....with 5 other women! Poor Dan was stuck in a twin bed in a room with 6 women. Till this day I am unaware of how he survived!

As the days passed, I became acclimated to my rock hard twin mattress and stiff sheets drifting away to the sound of a room full of snoring women. Needless to say I believe I went through an entire bottle of Tylenol p.m. due to nearly everyone in the house needing a sleep aid. Come on, why can't anyone sleep on a hard or lumpy mattress with an air conditioning system that wasn't quite up to par?

I'm sure this vacation just sounds wonderful but believe it or not, we did actually have fun a time or two! We ate like Kings, enjoyed watching the Olympics as a family, played games, swam in the ocean, played in the sand and shopped till we dropped.

We were blessed enough to celebrate my mom and Aunt Carol's 54th birthday together as well. How did they want to celebrate their day of birth you ask? They wanted to rent bicycles. You know, the kind that have the big baskets in front and annoying bells on the handle bars. Aunt Carol picked out her bicycle and requested a bell. The owner smiled as mom and I shook our heads and sarcastically thanked him as he strapped that dandy bell on the handle bar. By the end of our bike ride I not only had tired legs and a sore hind end but an annoying ringing in my ears. Thank goodness for Carol it was her birthday because I almost hijacked her little bell after the 50th time it rang. God love her!



The birthday girls



All in all we had a great vacation. A week basking in God's glorious creation and spending valuable and precious time with family. Yes, the house was not what we expected but it sure made me appreciate my clean floors, super comfy bed and the ability to fall right asleep without the sound of a room full of women snoring!



The greatest parents ever







Aren't they cute!



Sweetest family ever!



The Girls



Dan and I



The beach sure is exhausting!

How sweet is this