MIA

Let's see. I did talk to my husband on the phone yesterday. And I watched him run out the door on Tuesday morning. So I know he's still out there. But I'm pretty sure our toddler thinks Daddy is Missing In Action.

We were supposed to get rain yesterday, but didn't. (!!!) The forecast predicts more rain for today. So even though it is not actually dry enough to be doing some of these jobs, the guys have been working round the clock trying to beat the storm.

I think they have sprayed several fields; I think this because the weeds in the field around the house are turning yellow and drooping in a way most becoming to weeds. I also think they may have accomplished some dirt work and various other "mostly-dry" tasks.

But, in fact, I really do not know.

Because I haven't seen my husband in a couple of days...

Tanks

This crazy get-up is the anhydrous rig. I snapped this picture on the one day in April the weather cooperated enough to allow Brian to apply the fertilizer. They ran several acres in the 24 hour dry spell. But now it's raining. Again.

So what are they up to now? Swiping tanks. That thing that looks like propane on wheels comes from the local Co-op, as does the anhydrous. In order to run you need (well, first you need dry weather) a steady stream of tanks being pulled from Co-op to the field. I have actually known my husband to set his alarm clock for 4:00 or earlier AM to be the first in line for tanks of anhydrous. If you have to wait in line at Co-op, or Co-op runs out and you have to wait for a new shipment, you are accomplishing nothing in the field. As we are now several weeks behind schedule it is imperative not to sit twiddling our thumbs should the sun ever shine again.

So we are swiping tanks. There are several tanks near the shed, more in the next field, and some more sitting in the field planned after that.

Now we just need to store up some sunshine!

Just a Little Bit

Brian is in town purchasing chemical and fertilizer for the planting season. While he is there he will be getting some Respect.


Shouldn't everone?


But apparently this is a brand of fertizlier. Who knew?


Suppose they sell it at Wal-Mart?

My Farmer

You've probably never heard of the North Missouri Agri-Life magazine. Don't feel bad; until recently I hadn't either.

However! If you should stumble across the spring 2009 issue, you should turn to page 27 to see the best lookin' farmer I know! (That would be my husband, not my father-in-law. Although if anyone asks, he is adorable.)

The two page article is mostly about my father-in-law's move from teaching high school math to full time farming. It talks about choosing to pass on a family tradition etc., etc. It also discusses the risks involved these days in row crop farming. But I just like the photo. Brian and his dad are standing in front of the STX Case IH tractor (think big red tractor.) wearing coveralls, Carhart coats, and frayed farm hats. Hubby has that really adorable smile I love.

That's my farmer.

If Only

If we could just hold out for a few more days it could actually happen.

What could happen? you ask.

Farming.

Real farming. The kind that involves more than eating hot dogs at the local tractor dealership and looking at lawn mowers. (Although we do need a lawn mower, so I'm glad we went.) But I'm talking pulling tanks and disking corn stalks. Running the anhydrous bar and repairing terraces. Mopping the dinning room and making dinner. Oh. Scratch that last bit.

The weather is finally warm, and with the wind we have going here the ground should dry out in no time. If only it would stay dry!

Promised Pics

Terrible Twos

It's official. The little guy is two. Terribly two. Right now he's sitting on my lap screaming at me because I will not let him play with the electrical outlet. What a mean Mommy.

The fun part about turning two was the Birthday Party. I had tons of fun planning and scheming to make it just right. And I think it turned out really well. I created a dump truck cake, "birthday zone" sign, and CAT truck center pieces. With yellow and orange balloons it all came together!

His birthday present from Mom and Dad was a swing set (see old post here!). We invited his Sunday School class and they broke the set in nicely.

I'm working on a picture trails slide show, so I'll post more later. Right now my screaming toddler has fallen asleep in my arms.

Two is not completely terrible.

Share

It certainly does not feel like spring. Spring should be warm (or at least not snowing) with cheerful tulips and magnolia trees in blossom. Instead we have frost advisories and rain, rain, and more rain. Which, naturally, puts a bit of a damper on the farm's plans.

Brian would like to be done with anhydrous by now, in reality he has hardly started. Corn could be going in the ground within a week or two; I count us blessed if the ground dries out by the end of the month!

They are hauling a lot of grain to town on a somewhat miraculous contract. The Chicago Board of Trade is not paying much of anything for commodities, but the local markets still need corn and beans. Brian and his Dad worked a deal with a local plant to deliver corn now at a great price! It meant locking in prices for next year-- which is an uncertain business-- but for the moment it appears to be a great deal, both now and next year. The other plus, the little guy can ride in the semi as Brian hauls the grain. Provided he doesn't scream in his car seat for pancakes all the way to Kansas City and back that is!

So if you are reading this from some sun drenched plain or scorching desert, please. Share.

Glad You Asked

Soon it will be spring time on the farm and I will be able to entertain and enlighten you about all matters agriculture.

But not yet. Brian is still hauling grain to town (prices are down, down, down) and fixing things here and there. They ordered chemicals the other day, but nothing too exciting.

So what is exciting? So glad you asked. The answer-- watching bread rise.

Yep. It's my new favorite pastime. Yesterday I got one of the best loaves yet! If you haven't heard about my obsession, check out No More Bricks at http://www.breadclass.com/. If you have heard about it-- why aren't you baking bread!!! Last night I made bread bowls and Tuna Chowder. It. was. so. good.

Seriously. Join me.

ENTIRE HOUSE

I really am still here. I have just been... busy.

Which is everyone's excuse, I know. But to prove it I shall now list all I have accomplished in my bloggy absence.

Cleaned: every room, every closet, every drawer in my ENTIRE HOUSE.

Organized: every room, every closet, every drawer in my ENTIRE HOUSE.

Dusted: every shelf, every nick-knack, every book in my, well you get it.

Attacked: every cobweb, every dust bunny, every mouse dropping.

It feels WONDERFUL! Unfortunately I have a toddler, so it won't stay this way long. But at least all that deep down dirt is GONE!

Now, please send clean-up cure for typing in all capitals with exclamation points...

Clean Door

My mission: Spring Cleaning. Monday I did both bedrooms; the closets, the dressers, under the beds, you name it. Tuesday I did the living room, hallway, and purple bathroom. Every drawer, every shelf, every piece of furniture. But Wednesday I went to a whole new level. I did the office.

Brian took the little guy with him in the morning, so I started with the office closet. So. gross. We had a mouse living there. Should have charged him rent. Or at least a $100 deposit. Which he would not have gotten back. It took me three and a half hours to do the closet alone. But... it is finished! It sparkles. It shines. There isn't a single cobweb, mouse dropping, or dust bunny.

I stood back, admiring my work.

And then I shut the door.

At least it is a clean door.

More on Music

A link to this video was in my mailbox yesterday, along with a newsletter about Chris Filer, the musician we met at Farm Bureau. Apparently this little single is on the charts nationally (not number one, but hey!). The kids are his kids (well, not the Asian girl...) so it was fun to see them, but the funniest part was watching Chris's face. He was telling us about making the video and he said they kept telling him not to look angry. His reply: "You put make-up on me. I am angry." I actually don't think he looks mad, but it made me laugh anyway.

Not Today

Thanks to the mysteries of technology, I am not actually blogging today. Nope. I wrote this a few days ago. Because today I am not walking freely around my house with easy access to a computer. My floors, drum roll please, are being cleaned!!!

I've never had my floors done before. Growing up, we vacuumed and Resolved and Shouted and all that. And since my carpet is somewhat new (about four years old) I have not yet had this experience. But the heavy traffic areas are really bothering me and the throw-up from last year's flu bug really changed my carpet forever. Please let it change back!

So I'm sure this is a very interesting process and I should tell you how well the cleaners are coming along.

But I can't. Because it's not today.

Pretty Please

Yesteray was my birthday and Easter is still a few weeks away, but my favorite day of the year might just be today. For any of you not counting down, today it the first day of spring!

I used to teach my kindergartner's the seasons do not just *bang,* change like that. Some of the days before March 20th will seem like spring and some of the days after will seems like winter.

But please.

No more winter.

27

Today is the day! My birthday actually. So, just for the fun of it, I'm leaving you with 27 random things about me. Please do not take this as an indicator of my age.

1. I'm making Ribs with a Kick and Strawberry pie for my birthday dinner-- my faves!
2. Latest book: What She Left for Me by Tracie Patterson
3. I used to be certified to teach lifeguarding.
4. I have made five quilts.
5. My newest craze is baking my own bread.
6. We have two cats and I'm looking for just the right dog.
7. I am scared of fire. Especially related to lighting a grill.
8. If hubby hadn't vetoed it, my little guy would be named Landon.
9. My engagement ring has a heart shaped diamond-- just what I wanted!
10. I teach Sunday School and Junior Church and miss my kindergartners. (but not too much ;)
11. I need a watch and ponytail holder at all times.
12. Must.have.chapstick.
13. I'm looking forward to squeezing the soon-to-be-released Twilight into my Wal-Mart budget...
14. Brian is the only guy I ever dated, unless you count fourth grade.
15. Prized possession: great-grandma's china
16. College friends are shocked to know I married a farmer.
17. I've never left a facebook newsfeed, but I plan to today.
18. Fav Scrapbook supply: paper. yep. just paper.
19. I am one of those moms.
20. Currently drinking peach-mint tea and contemplating making more...
21. At weddings, I eat the cake and my sister eats the icing.
22. Sunday night is movie night-- laptop, projector, big screen, and popcorn.
23. I'm hoping to have fruit on the trees I planted a few years ago. Green thumb here I come!
24. I love hostessing.
25. Just found out my American girl doll is being retired. Wish I'd bought more of her clothes...
26. I dream of moving to this house just up the road.
27. I still work to overcome my childhood shyness.

Confession #3

I am a Harry Potter fan and I nearly sent a Howler to Warner Bros when they moved the release date of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince from November 08 to July 09. The fact that Twilight was moved up three weeks did little to make up for it. After all, I would have seen both by now.

That said, I'm always on the look-out for more HBP info. About a week ago this new trailer came out.


I watched it several times to see any new bits of the movie I could, but I must admit I prefer this one.

And as you can tell, my next confession will entail the number of hours I spent at youtube finding these...

Its Not Easy Being Green

Literally. For the past several days my family and I have all been quite green. With the stomach flu. Very apropos, being March and all. Really, it was our turn. Brian was sick in January for a long time, but he hasn't been sick in years, so I figure he was just due. The little guy and I have both been bug free all winter long. And that is just not fair.

So we have now done our part to promote justice and equality.

I have learned how many loads of laundry my washer can handle if you stay up all night just waiting for the dryer to ding. Little guy has learned how to say "tummy hurt" (but not what to do about it...). Both of us now know how to subsist entirely on Sprite. So in addition to being fair, this whole thing was also a learning expereince.

But I've learned enough to last at least another year I think...

Overload

My brain is fried. Mush. Overloaded. Why? Because I have been on the Internet for hours. Looking for the perfect swing set.

Which, by the way, does not exist. This one (from willygoat.com) comes close. But I have to pay shipping. So is it really a better deal than the one from betterplaysets.com? Or berfeldrecreation.com? What about Home Depot or Lowe's? And can I add a taller tower someday when he gets older so we can have a fireman's pole and tunnel slide? I wish this one had a lemonade stand like the other one...

So I keep looking. In the entire world there must be a set, reasonably priced, which has all of the six options I'm not compromising on and at least a few of the "prefers." Of course, I actually have the entire world's worth of play equipment at my fingertips.

Must. keep. looking.

Of All Things

You will so laugh when you read this.

Yesterday was our 5th anniversary, of course. And I told you Brian was taking me some place that was a surprise. I also shared that the 5th anniversary is the year of "wood."

This just kills me.

My surprise was shopping for the dinning room table I've been wanting for like four and a half years! Grandma came and picked up the little guy. Then we rushed off to an "appointment." Before we left the driveway, however, Brian tied a scarf around my eyes so I couldn't see. I followed all the turns until we left C hwy, then I got lost and truly had no idea where we were going. He took the scarf off at my fav furniture store!

We had a great time, looking through all the selections without worrying about anyone climbing on top of the tables. I found two that I like a lot, one of which we could get at a great price as it was returned with a *tiny* nick on one corner. I understand not wanting flaws in furniture you paid full price for; I also have no problem getting a discount on something I'll never notice!!!

I'm going to do some more shopping (any excuse, right?) but I'm so excited about my anniversary gift! Wood! Who'd a thunk?

The Year of Wood?

Happy Anniversary to me! Today marks five whole years together-- which sounds so much better than saying we've been married for four. Why is that?

Curiously, I looked up that whole "year of the ___" for anniversaries. You know, 1st anniversary is paper, give your spouse a book etc. Year five is wood. Dandy. Now we can have a fire.

But even more curious to me is what we are doing tonight. We have a babysitter. We have plans. I even have clothes. I just don't have a clue about where we are going.

I've been warned it's nothing too fancy. Frankly it has been so long since the two of us went out (last May) I wouldn't care if he took me bowling.

Although, it might not matter if he had told me. The other day I was cleaning a closet and I stumbled across a Wal-Mart sack. Inside was something we both wanted, something that seemed suspiciously like an anniversary present. So I wrapped it up and put it back. And I'll be durn if I didn't completely forgot what it was. No clue whatsoever.

But I do remember where it is...

Wishful Thinking

Did you know there are 15 days 'til spring?

I did.

In fact, I'm counting down each one of them.

Winter is a nice season; it is just that most of the nice things about it are already over. So on to spring! And just to assure myself that spring is actually coming I have made a list of the signs of spring.

• magnolia tree has blossoms!
• Brian is getting the anhydrous wagon ready
• talk about getting out the planter is more common
• chives are sprouting in the flowerbed behind my house
• swimwear is appearing in clothing stores
• cats are slimming down
• people don't think I'm nuts when I talk about Easter
• daylight savings is this weekend

So there you have it. Spring is coming!

Just a Thought

I had to show my husband the video clip I posted yesterday; and we were hooked. We watched nearly all of the shows that pop up after the video plays.

And I had a thought.

In 2048, when at $1000 computer will exceed the computational abilities of the entire human race, do you suppose it will still perform errors and have to shut down?

Just wondering.

Fascinating

I came across this yesterday on another blog. I have no idea what the answer is to the final question, but I find it all fascinating. Thought you might too.

Missouri

Last Thursday my husband reported the farm had considered putting on anhydrous. Prerequisites for applying this liquid fertilizer: ground thawed and dry. At nearly 70 degrees, Thursday was nearly ideal for getting started.

Today the thermometer on my computer screen tells me it is 18 degrees and the sunlight is bouncing off the drifted snow, causing me to squint when I look out the window. Naturally, I could close the curtains-- but that is not the issue here! What happened!

Admittedly the weather man is calling for a warming trend by the end of the week.

But at least the little guy will get to use the snow pants I bought him for Christmas...

Ash Wednesday

Today is my brother's birthday. Being the good sister I am, I sent him an e-mail. Being an ornery sister, I did not wish him a happy birthday. Instead it went something like this:

I checked my calender this morning and saw it was February 25th. It seems like an important date. If only I could remember was it is.

It's not Christmas or Easter. It's not my anniversary or little guy's birthday. It's not the sinking of the Titanic or V-Day.

What could it be?

Oh yeah! Ash Wednesday.

Happy Lent.

Farm Show

This weekend is the Western Farm Show in Kansas City. I have had the privilege of attending the farm show in the past, but today just Brian is going. The convention is HUGE-- three floors of farm equipment, ag suppliers, insurance agents, flyers, pamphlets, and brochures-- which means it is not an ideal place to take a not-quite-two-year-old.


Next year, however, or maybe the year after, I am certain that the farm show will be one of the little guy's favorite places. Children climb on every model of Case or John Deere tractor, sit in the buckets of loaders, and pretend to drive skid steers. Heavily over-priced food wafes its way through every display; popcorn, pizza slices, hot dogs, Slurpee's.


But no matter how much fun my little boy might think this show is, nothing will top the excitement of my husband.


I'm betting (not that any of you will take my bet) he comes home today with a plastic bag filled to overflowing with information about hundreds of products. The important thing to know about each and every product it that it is something the farm truly and desperately needs. Even if the purchase date is estimated to be three or four years down the road (or more), Brian will stop and talk in depth with the vendor, researching, price shopping, and comparing models.


So, I guess to him it's like a Hobby Lobby...

Just Cute

Life is made up of such random moments, or at least it is when you have a toddler. This one was so cute I just had to share it.

Yesterday the little guy spent the day in the semi truck, hauling grain to town with his daddy. He is such a Daddy's Boy anyway, plus he loves the diesel truck, so little guy had allowed himself very little sleep when he came home about 4:00. I figured it was too late for a nap, seeing as how bedtime is at 8:00. However, at 5:15 the little angel broke a glass and was put in his room for safe keeping while I cleaned up. By the time I finished sweeping the dinning room there was no sound coming from his room. The right thing to do here is debatable, but I decided to fix dinner and wake him up at 6:00 to eat. He was going to be crabby anyhow, might as well get 45 minutes of peace...

So at 6:00 Brian came back from loading the semi and I went in to wake up little guy. Only instead of being on the floor in the middle of his animals like usual, he was sitting in his favorite plastic Rubbermaid tub. It's a big 18 gallon type and his favorite thing to do is put all his stuffed animals inside and go for a ride-- Daddy pulling everyone with a rope zip-tied to the handle. Finding him here wasn't really a big surprise, until I realized he wasn't just sitting. He had actually fallen asleep sitting upright in the tub surrounded by every stuffed animal he owns!

Of course, this may or may not interest you. But I thought it was just too cute.

Looking Good

Duct tape will fix anything. Electric tape is nearly as versatile and looks much better. But today, today I have discovered the greatest tape of all.

Last night Brian attended the February board meeting for DeKalb County Farm Bureau. At the meeting the office secretary requested a new binder for the checkbook. Being farmers, they turned her down flat. Who needs a new binder when the old one works just fine? I mean the three rings still open and shut, who cares that the cover has fallen off.

And, of course, the farmers had a suggestion. Use tile tape.

Tile tape?

Apparently tile tape is black tape, similar in looks to electric tape, but wider and stronger like duct tape. Not only will it fix the binder, it will look good too.

Naturally, "looking good" is a relative term. Especially if your relative is a farmer.

Weekend

What a weekend! Brian, little guy, and I all just got back from our last conference of the season-- Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher. It was great! My Valentine's gift from hubby was an extra day at Tan-Tar-A, so we left early Friday morning (although not as early as we would have liked!) and played at the pool and stuff in the afternoon. Then Friday night at the opening meeting we sat with two other families who were so much fun!

Valentine's Day morning I woke up and went to the bathroom to take a shower. Instead of a bottle of hotel shampoo on the counter I found a bouquet of beautiful pink roses! Brian had gotten up after I'd fallen asleep and driven to the store to buy the flowers, a glass vase, and some pretty pink (plastic) diamonds to put in the vase! It all looks so nice together I'm suspicious he had help! It's either a really sweet story about the lengths my husband would go to make Valentine's Day special, or a mark of how long he will procrastinate. I'm going with the first...

Then Brian attended four seminars, mostly about farm economics and commodities futures, while little guy took a much needed nap. In the afternoon we went to two outlet stores and found everything on our list, making me happy that we accomplished something and Brian happy that we did it quickly :). Saturday night we had the opportunity to listen to an amazing speaker. His name is Chad Hymas (pictured at left). At age 27 he was injured in a farm accident and is now a quadriplegic. His story was amazing. You can see video footage at this website and see for yourself.

Sunday we heard Chris Filer sing for our church service. If you haven't read my blog from the December Farm Bureau meeting you can check that out and read about how much I love his music! It was great to hear him again, and even little guy was totally interested in his performance!

The best part of the trip back was that the toddler fell asleep for almost two hours and watch Franklin the Turtle quite happily after that. Brian and I watch Fireproof after he went down for the night-- which is something else I'm going to have to highly recommend.

Hope you had a Happy Valentine's Day too!

A Fallen Hero

Our family attended this event this weekend. I wish the video could show how amazing it was. When we got there, the church was surrounded by people-- veterans, friends, complete strangers-- silently waving flags. By the time the funeral was over and the processional began the entire town was surrounded. I am honored to have been able to support a fallen US soldier.

God Bless America.

No More Bricks!

For Christmas my mom gave me this book, "No More Bricks" by Lori Viets. I guess I should preface that statement by telling you that for several years now I have attempted to make all of our families bread from scratch. I knew bread from the store contained preservatives and whatever else and I figured homemade bread would be much healthier.

I started out with a bread machine from a garage sale. It served me well for a few months, and then my average loaves turned to poor. I think the machine stopped working, but if you've ever used your whole wheat setting, you probably already know its not good for much.

So I borrowed a book from a friend about baking whole wheat bread-- no white flour at all! It had amazing information about how gluten is formed and why you need to keep the yeast at the right temperature and how to pre-warm all your utensils so they'll be the right temperature too. It was great-- except I literally had to allow four hours from start to finish. Which meant some days we went without bread until I had time to make it again. And it called for ingredients I don't use often, like plain (not vanilla) yogurt, which I had to buy in bulk and usually went to waste before I could finish a container.

I did discover, thanks to this book, that there are different types of flour. Hard wheat, soft wheat, red wheat, white wheat. I spent time in the health food store and eventually figured out I like hard white spring wheat (called Prairie Gold) best. It even worked in the new bread machine my in-laws gave me.

But then! Enter the new book. My parents know Lori from church and my mom is very excited about homemade bread ever since she took Lori's class. After reading the book, I understand why. Instead of a awkward bread machine loaf, or spending four hours in complicated bread making methods, I can flip to the "master" bread recipes (already the book opens to that spot) and finish the best tasting whole wheat bread ever in 70-90 minutes. It is amazing!

If you're interested, Lori's website is Knead to Know and you can purchase this book there, as well as lots of other bread making supplies. Its also full of information as well as that master recipe I was telling you about. Even if you just want to make the occasional loaf-- check this out. I've never found a better way to do it.

I'm so excited about my new venture I plan to post some of my experiences here. So stay tuned!

Cash, Credit, or Debit?

Yesterday I did my February shopping. I got up early, made out a huge list for three different grocery stores, packed the toddler in the car, and headed off to the not quite thriving metropolis 45 minutes away.

Then, as I pulled into JoAnn's where I needed fabric to make a pillow for my cousin's wedding, it hit me.

Brian had my debit card.

So I called him to double check. Yep-- he'd gone to the store for me last week, and as per our New Year's Resolution, he'd taken the household card to better keep track of household expenses. No biggie. I had my checkbook and ID, so we could still buy things.

After writing a check for $2.15 (coupons!!!) I torn it from my register. Just to realize it was my last one. At minimum I figured I still had at least three stops to make, none of which were going to happen without money. Did I drive all that way to spend 10 minutes in a craft store and spend less than three dollars?

Then I remember they had opened a branch of our local bank in this town not long ago. But would they let me withdraw cash with no checks? I'm sure all of you would never do anything like this, but on the off chance that it happens to you-- the answer is yes! I had to show ID and fill out a little form, no sweat.

But I spent the rest of the day constantly checking my pockets. I don't think I've ever carried that much cash.

Update

It's officially February-- and Happy Ground hog's Day while I'm at it. But the idea of posting my Resolutions for 2009 was so you all would know if I was cheating : ). So here's my official non-slacker update.

The usual:
I'm working out four days a week faithfully-- go me.
We eat veggies and even fruit more often than we used to. It's a step.
I've organized the little guy's room and the back porch area. Still to go-- our room and *cringe* the hall closet.

The unusual:
I have not read Fit for the Kingdom as I had planned, but I've been doing a good job with No More Bricks, which is teaching me about nutritious bread making. Same idea...
I've made little progress on When All Plans Fail, but we're talking about a budget for our emergency plan.
I did great with January's budget (insert happy dance here) and I've even started charting Brian's farm budget.

Personal:
Well, you can always spend more time studying the Scriptures, but I didn't fall completely on my face...
My family scrapbooks are up to date, but that has more to do with them being finished in December and not really having much to scrap about in January.

Child Training:
Any back-talk noise and the little guy goes straight to his room.
I brush his teeth once and let him do it the other time. I know, I know. But it's just easier.
We did schedule several playdates. Not my fault two got canceled for illness!
And we are reading Bible stories every night. We're as far as Abraham and Lot...

So, obviously some work still to do-- but I'd say I get a B. Plus.

How 'bout you?

Good Sister, Good Books

My sister recently gave me a pile of books. I love to go to the library and check out new authors, old favorites, and do-it-yourself type stuff. My sister enjoys the same, except she buys hers from the bookstore. Very convenient for me!

Last time she brought books she got me hooked on Picoult. Good stuff. Although the twist at the end of Nineteen Minutes was a little... disturbing, I really enjoyed My Sister's Keeper. Actually, I cried through the whole thing.

The time before that she sent me Twilight. I nearly drove to Columbia just to get the next two volumes.

So, as you can see, she rarely steers me wrong.

In this stack where two books by Mitch Albom. The first is entitled One More Day, and was good. It was better after I finished it, though, if you know what I mean. The second is Tuesdays with Morrie. I had, of course, heard of the novel, but never checked it out. My mistake! I loved it! I will admit that I am not in the category of people who claimed it changed their lives (like the ones on the first page of the book), but it is certainly worth your time. It has inspired me to think less of what the world expects, and more about how I can really matter to others.

So, maybe I should take back my previous statement. I guess it sounds as if it has changed me, after all.

Today

The little guy woke up a bit early today, which, at first, seems like a bad thing. But THEN, Brian said he'd take little guy with him. For two truck rides!

So I made breakfast, packed lunch, dressed him in his farm "workin'" clothes and sent him out the door.

Whoo Hoo!

I worked out and never paused the DVD. I showered till the hot water was almost gone. I ate my breakfast on the couch while reading a book. I cleaned both bathrooms and never told anyone not to touch the toilet bowl brush or stop eating bathroom cleaner. And now I am on the computer with only one person in the chair.

The only problem is I keep startling every time I think I hear something coming from the little guy's room.

When he leaves for college, do you suppose I'll get used to it?

My Truck

This summer Brian had the opportunity to purchase another Dodge diesel. Since we already own one, as well as a restored ’86 Chevy, he had a little… convincing to do before I was ready to accept this addition to the farm. The talk turned to the fact that it would be my pick-up. I could use it to take meals to the field and save wear and tear on my car. Seeing as how he was going to buy the truck whether I liked it or not, I figured this was my best deal and I took it.

Don’t know why I bothered.

To date I believe I have used the truck three times. Once to garage sale in (I was looking for equipment for Sunday School), and twice to drive my tables and scrapbook paraphernalia to the Fall Festivals. I have yet to have it at my disposal for driving meals to the field, helping to move equipment, or anything else I was promised. My car, however, still has a nice fall display of corn stocks wedged in the front bumper.

I’ve still got my fingers crossed though. It needs a new paint job.

Maybe I’ll get to pick out the color.

January

What exactly is it that farmers do in the winter? I'm often asked this question; I think people expect me to say something like, 'it's our slow season, Brian doesn't do much.' Which shows me that the average American truly is removed from the farm, like statistics tell us.

Yesterday hubby got up at 6:00 AM to haul soybeans to the Processor. He was able to fill the semi from our grain bins (see pic), drive to KC, wait in long lines, unload beans, and drive back again twice. Lots of times he tries to get three loads delivered in a day, but yesterday he had to help haul hay for the cows as well. He got back at 7:00 PM. And that, my friends, is the slow season.

Depending on what grain he is moving, sometimes he gets a Saturday off. Or, at least, a half day. This is the biggest difference in our family between harvest or planting and winter or late summer.

That, and the little guy can ride in the semi-- no problems.

Maybe winter will turn out to be my slow season!

Confession #2

Okay, I'll admit it. I signed up for a Facebook account. That should bring my total number of hours on the computer up to about eight. Per day.

But I couldn't help it. Brian has had an account for almost a year now. He keeps up with friends from college, from camp, from church, even work (and he sees them everyday...). We contacted camp counselors by looking them up and posting wall-to-wall requests for them to come. He finds out all kinds of information before I do. AND... he gets to look at flair whenever he wants to.

And, that, my friends, was the cherry on top.

I love flair.

Oh, and friends. Yes. I love friends. And family. Yup.

And flair.

So, I can't write anymore right now. Its been almost 12 hours since I read through the top 21 pages of flair buttons. I'm going to Facebook now...

Travel

It is always the phones. In December we took our son to the Lake of the Ozarks. Big hotel, indoor pool, but what does he want? The phone. We had to disconnect it within three minutes of check-in, for fear we'd be charged a call to Taiwan.

And this week! Another conference, another hotel, another indoor pool. But our little guy... sigh. He wanted the phone.

I guess we could just save a lot of money and stay at home this summer. We could buy a new phone.

F.R.M.S.

Today we leave for a conference. Farm Risk Management Services is our crop insurance company. Each winter they host select clients to attend seminars by marketing experts, insurance lobbyists, farm radio show hosts, and talented speakers. It's at a nice hotel in Kansas City and they cover meals-- what more could you ask for? Brian will learn bunches and little guy and I will swim often. Lots of good times and all because we are such good clients.

Or because Brian's brother is our insurance agent.

Whichever.

Oops...

Yesterday my hubby calls and wants to know if I can look some information up for him.

Sure.

So I get out the binder labeled "Marshall Farms" and find the page dedicated to '09 January Beans. Then I read the list of contracts off to Brian. And read them again.

"Hummm," hubby says. "I don't have that big contract. Whats the price?"

I read the contract price off-- the second best price he sold grain for all month.

"I don't have that one. I'll have to call Cargill."

An hour or so later I get another phone call. Am I sure that's what the binder says? Is that really the price? Cargill can't find it anywhere. In fact, they have no record of any contract for that much grain; for that high of a price.

I double check the binder-- nothing has changed.

So last night Brian went through every piece of paper on his desk. He never found a contract. Apparently when he spoke on the phone to create this contract he wrote it down, but Cargill never did. And that was like a year ago, so there is no way to prove he talked to someone. Especially since that employee no longer works there (and now we know why...).

Even better is that Cargill is overflowing with beans. They don't want the grain they already contracted for. So even if he could sell beans for anywhere near that good of a price (he can't) he would also have to get Cargill to let him deliver them in January (they won't).

Needless to say, I have a very upset husband.

The big sigh of relief here is that I had nothing to do with it.

Finally

It has finally happened-- a moment I had begun to dispare would ever come to pass. Harvest. Is. Over.

!!!%*M$YY**#!!!!

Roughly translated that means I'm happy.

The beans are in the bin, the corn is completely picked, and the combines are even in their sheds. Over, over, over!

No more meals in the field! Brian comes home at night! I actually get to see him in the morning! He tucks the little guy in with me! He can even babysit at home! Stress, pressure, worry, gone!

At least for a few months.

Planting starts in March.

Sharing Christmas

I've been busy this last week organizing, arranging, and printing all of my photos from 2008 (see Designs of Mine: Done!) and now, last but not least, I've finished the slideshow for posting!

I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Season!

Good Intentions

Well, everybody is doing it, so I guess you could say I've given in to peer pressure, but regardless, I'm printing up goals for 2009. And no, jumping off a cliff along with everyone else is not one of them.

First there is the usual:
Organize and clean several areas of my house
Workout four days a week
Add more veggies to our evening meal

And then there are the unusual:
Finish reading "When All Plans Fail" and create an emergency plan for my family
Finish reading "Fit for the Kingdom" and make more nutritious meals
Keep a tighter watch on my budget and the farm's

Mix in the more personal:
Schedule more Scripture reading time
Keep family scrapbooks up to date

And the child training:
Be consistent about stopping that back-talk noise
Brush his teeth twice a day
Schedule more play dates
Read Bible stories before bed each night

So there you have it. Goals, resolutions, plans, and good intentions. Published on the Internet now for all the world to see. You'll keep me on track, right?