My Family Farm

Elmo's World

2010-04-13T05:55:00.000-07:00

Elmo's World appeared in our basement over the weekend. His goldfish, Dorothy, as well as his crayon arrived to help Brett celebrate his third birthday.

Didn't he do a good job ; )

Dear Baby Boy

2010-04-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

This morning I woke up and you weren't a baby any more. today you are three years old! Part of me is in denial. You weren't born until 10:53 PM, so I still have 14 more hours until you are officially three. Part of me is so excited! I've been trying to teach you to hold up three fingers and I am looking forward to all the other new things you'll learn this year. (Ironically, the only questions I toddler is asked are "what is your name?" and "how old are you?" Both of which you answer incorrectly. "Grandpa" and "five" are the answers you give, when you choose to give answers at all...)

Since time seems to pass without my permission, however, I guess I'll just be glad you are growing up so happy and healthy.

I've seen cute birthday scrapbook pages where moms write down things they love about their kids-- one thing for each year. There is no way I could limit myself to three, so here are some of the three thousand things I love about you!

Your imagination

The way you call Lammie "Tim" and yourself "Grandpa"

How you imitate things I never even realized Daddy and I do

You are such a sweet, big brother

You play and play outside and still want to go back for more!

Big, blue eyes; especially when you are wearing blue pajamas

Your constant excitement about life in general

The hours you spend in the combine and tractor and never become tired of it

Making pancakes and bread while you "dump" ingredients into the bowl

The fact that you know more about farm equipment than I do

Little feet running through the house

You take such great naps and still sleep 12 hours at night!

Watching you play with friends

That smile!

Happy Birthday little guy. You'll always be my baby.

Mommy is not MacGyver

2010-04-07T12:07:00.000-07:00

Mothers wear many hats. Cook, nurse, teacher... you know what I mean. And being a little bit of a Handy Manny won't hurt any mom's resume. I, apparently, need to brush up on this skill. Why? you ask.

Because my two year old is locked in the bathroom.

It all started innocently enough. He finished his peanut butter and jelly sandwich with about as much jelly on him as in him. Naturally he was sent to the bathroom to wash.

I opened the child latch on the outside and went back to my own sandwich. Running water... clank of the soap dispenser... water splashing... door shutting... more water... Wait. The door was shut but still water running? Something not quite right...

And sure enough, two seconds later I hear "Mom? Mom? Can you open door?"

So I (reluctantly) abandon my sun-dried tomato turkey sandwich to rescue my son, except it isn't that simple.

The door isn't just shut. Its locked.

Vainly I tried to talk Brett through the steps of unlocking the door. It was a comical experience, filled with lots of "uh hu's" and "yep's" but no results. Cool heads are necessary in such circumstances so I tried to chill and remember what Daddy did when this happened once before. Oh yeah! Unscrew the door knob!

So I did.
Still no luck. What I failed to comprehend before I tore my door apart is that the locking mechanism won't allow the other side of the doorknob to fall. The bolt in the middle still needs to be popped.

Which of course I cannot figure out how to do. Thankfully Brian is working in the shed a few miles away and is on his way home.

But, like I said. My two year old is locked in the bathroom, happily flushing the toilet over and over because there is no one to stop him.So I failed the MacGyver portion of the Mommy test, but at least its not a burning building.

Abstract Easter

2010-04-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

You can go online and find a plethora of ideas for making Easter a sacred holiday instead of a secular one. I like the one about celebrating the "12 Days of Easter" using those plastic ressurection eggs and the recipe for cookies that bake over night and are empty in the morning.

But none of this seems to connect with my two-year-old. In fact Jesus is still a very abstract idea for him. (As are sins... ; )

And I might have forgotten to count backwards from Easter and missed the whole 12 day thing entirely.

Despite all this, I still love to color eggs. Since we are not praying to them or offering our creations to any pegan deity, I think its just FUN! Please observe:

And pretty too!

Anyone have any brilliant Easter theology ideas for toddlers?

King Cotton

2010-04-01T19:59:00.000-07:00

This is the time of year I might blog about spring planting. But I complained about the wet weather all last spring, so that's old.

It is also the time of year I might tell you about my efforts to spring clean. Unfortunately this years its more effort and less clean.

Thankfully all is not lost. I have, in fact, been doing something very productive, useful, and interesting. I have been sewing.

When I learned to sew either no one taught me or I just did not listen to the lesson about choosing fabrics other than cotton print. I made dresses from calico, pajamas from plaid, and doll clothes out of fabric from the rag bag. None of it was that impressive. Then, in college, my roommate and I made Renaissance dresses. I branched out and used cotton blends.

But now, now I am stretching my abilities. Literally. This top is from a new family of fabrics only recently discovered. They are called... knits. Amazing, isn't it!

This next one is also from the stretch knit family, although it is softer, less silky to the touch.

And finally, the world of DENIM. You can make jean that actually fit! Truly! Observe if you will, not even a belt!

Despite holding a crying baby on my lap while wrestling with seam binding tape (and I felt better that two JoAnn's employees didn't know what that was either...) and handing out goldfish crackers between ripping seams, I actually had a blast.

And I've purchased another pattern and some fabric to begin asap.

But old habits die hard.

Its cotton.

Shutting Down

2010-03-26T11:56:00.001-07:00

I am back.

I hope.

It was my New Year's resolution to get back into blogging. However, I began my new year's resolutions in March this year. Which is a little late, but better late than never! Actually I had a 12 day old baby on January 1st so I decided to take a three month maternity leave. From life, apparently.

So baby Anna turned three months old last week (on my birthday!) and now I'm back in the saddle again.

( 3 month pic!)

I hope.

You see, were are currently experiencing technical difficulties. My computer (which just returned from the shop where it was being FIXED) likes to randomly shut down.

This is good for you. It teaches you to save your work often and tests your patience so it will grow. It also works like a timer to keep you from spending too much time on facebook.

It does, however, prohibit blogging.

But at least now you will know what happens if I just--

MIA

2009-05-07T06:13:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-28T06:04:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-24T14:55:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-21T06:20:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-20T06:34:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-15T08:45:00.000-07:00

Terrible Twos

2009-04-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-04-08T08:01:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-02T07:57:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-26T11:11:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-18T06:00:00.001-07:00

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

2009-03-16T18:54:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-09T13:56:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-07T06:14:00.000-08:00

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?

2009-03-06T07:09:00.000-08:00

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

2009-03-05T05:30:00.000-08:00

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

2009-03-04T08:24:00.001-08:00

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

2009-03-03T05:35:00.000-08:00

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

2009-03-02T07:08:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-25T09:33:00.001-08:00

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

2009-02-21T06:09:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-19T07:26:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-17T05:51:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-16T10:53:00.001-08:00

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

2009-02-09T06:40:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-02-07T06:59:00.000-08:00

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?

2009-02-03T08:07:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-02T05:32:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-30T18:20:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-27T08:45:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-26T07:34:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-23T06:10:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-20T10:15:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-16T06:14:00.000-08:00

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.

2009-01-12T09:23:00.000-08:00

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...

2009-01-10T08:18:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-09T13:05:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-03T08:29:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-01T13:49:00.000-08:00

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?

Birthday for a Farmer

2008-12-30T19:20:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday honey!

Today my hubby turns... well, the important thing is that he's older than me ; ).

And, like everything else, his birthday revolved around the needs of the farm. This morning he got up early and hauled corn to town. He did this partly because the corn is contracted for December, partly because its what we do on the farm this time of year, and partly because we need more space in the bin because we're NOT DONE HARVESTING!!! Then he went to the bank to work out some details about end of the year finances, taxes, and other non-fun, non-birthday type stuff. Then he hauled more corn.

For his birthday dinner though we did something really great. We went to a meeting.

I will state that this was not a typical meeting, but a Farm Bureau Christmas party/December board meeting. And we ate a very nice fried chicken and mashed potatoe meal. Then he got to lead the meeting, as he is president, and dicuss the fasinating subject of next year's budget.

Then, poor guy, instead of coming home and putting a little guy into his (really adorable) train pajamas and getting good night hugs he had to move equipment so they can harvest early in the moring. (Side note: in the winter you get up early and harvest before the sun turns the frozen field into a muddy mess. This is different from normal, sane, harvesting proceedure during the normal, sane months of Sept., Oct., and Nov..) And now that it is 9:30 I hear him walking in the door.

Happy Birthday honey.

In Memory

2008-12-23T11:06:00.000-08:00

Thomas Mix

1915-2008

We love you grandpa.

Opportunity Knocks

2008-12-16T06:26:00.001-08:00

While life must always hold challenges, some days lend themselves to personal growth more than others. My husband ought to be three feet taller by the time he gets home today.

Harvest, ideally finished by Thanksgiving but happily accepted by the beginning of December, is now dragging on into what feels like infinity. Or at least the Supper Bowl. (Positive notes to ponder: beans are finished and the corn yield has been good, thus some of our harvest problems.) There is less than 300 acres yet to be stored in bins, but somehow life just keeps happening.

Saturday, for example, our grain truck caught fire. Yes, that's right. Caught fire. Brian says mice probably ate away at the lines in then engine, causing it to become combustible while being driven by our hired hand. But, more positive notes to ponder, Cory was able to stop the truck (apparently fires inhibit brake lines-- not sure how that works...) and put the fire out without harm to himself or further harm to the truck. So clouds do have silver linings.

Then, Sunday, the temperatures dropped. I have no recollection of living in other states (though Wisconsin was once my home) but I do believe it takes a Missouri day to drop more than 50 degrees in twelve hours.

So that brings us up to Monday when single digits caused every piece of equipment on the farm to gel-up, shut down, or otherwise become cantankerous. I am informed that only one Dodge pick-up and the haying tractor would run. Brian left the house at seven in the morning and called me just before five that evening to say the combine and (non-burnt) grain trucks were finally up and going. So they harvested till the wee hours of the morning and then...

Today. Its snowing. And for people who live their lives by NOAA weather radio I had no idea we were expecting so much as a flake. But you cannot harvest in the snow. Too wet.

So as I say, today, as well as most of December, is a great opportunity to learn patience, anger management, and financial self-control.

And if we don't learn it all today I'm sure we'll be given another chance. Because sometimes opportunity knocks. And sometimes it comes busting down your door.

Need

2008-12-12T07:49:00.000-08:00

I know that on this blog I'm supposed to write about farm life. But today, I'm gonna write about something women across America can understand. Those of you living in skyrise apartments and women on the coast in their beach bungalows will relate. You mountain side bed and breakfast gals or desert homeowners know exactly what I'm saying. I'm talking about Tupperware parties.

In fact, there probably are right now, women in grass huts checking the sky to see if the sun is in the right spot for them to strap their babies on their backs and head off to see the latest in food storage.

"This will be so perfect for my leftover water buffalo!" they exclaim. "I need this!"

Never mind that women on the African plains have lived centuries without water buffalo storage containers. Or that this giant serving bowl is beautiful but will never fit in my kitchen cabinet. Forget that until this very moment I was not aware the product even existed. Now I need it.

But how do you say "no?"

And if you did say no, you obviously were not at the same party I was last night. A whole table filled with (Tupperware) bowels of home-made candy, fudge, cookies, sausage, cheese, spiced apple cider... Heaven.

So I shopped along with everyone else. The sales were great, the company superb, and the pocketbook lighter.

But what can I say. I needed it.

So Special

2008-12-11T10:34:00.000-08:00

Awww! It's my first bloggy award nomination! Thanks Janna.

This award is for people who write about real life and now I'm supposed to pass it on by linking to my seven favorite blogs of other who, well, write about real life. And then you have to post this picture and do the same :). So, drum roll please, here goes!

Amber: who writes A Classic Housewife in a Modern World. I love her ideas for dealing with real life-- where does she get them all?

Janna: who nominated me so maybe this isn't fair, but she's tops in my book! Janna writes many things, but her blog is Something She Wrote.

Ruth: who makes me laugh, grin, snort, etc.. Read her stuff at The Book of Ruth.

Angela: who handles real life as well as anyone I know. The Grocery Shrink shows you just how she does it, but few will ever match her skills.

And that, unfortunatly, is the end of my postings because those are all the real life blogs I read. If you still feel like clicking you can check out my business blog for Designs of Mine, but otherwise feel free to go pass this prestigious award on.

((hugs to you all))

And We're Back!

2008-12-10T07:32:00.000-08:00

Hi all! We got back last night from our trip to Farm Bureau annual meeting. We had a great time! There were a few snags, such as leaving our hanging clothes hanging in the closet, but that just opened the door to a shopping trip ;-).

One of the highlights was meeting the singer who preformed at the President's Dinner and at the church service. We have attended this meeting for several years now and there are always entertainers. Never before have a felt like I was listening to tomorrow's radio hits. This guy, however, was so GOOD! And his family was great too. We sat with them at dinner on Saturday night (kind of by mistake, but oh well) and we really enjoyed it. His wife's name was also Kelly and she taught first grade before her kids were born. They farm soybeans and corn and have a seed business so there was lots to talk about. Anyway, check out his website at www.chrisfilermusic.com. Listen to "Not to the Grave." I have been all morning.

Our county also did well this year. DeKalb got top county in District 1 so Brian was able to accept several plaques on behalf of our board. Last year we were cheated out of two of our six stars. I thought we'd have mutiny on our hands. The board threatened (in jest-- I think) to only send in 4/6 of our dues since we only got 4/6 of our stars. They were really upset. So to get all six stars this year, first place in special projects, and top county felt good.

We also had a representative compete in the Ambassador Contest. Even though she didn't make it to the top three we thought she did well! And our talent show entry did great! Two little girls, barely old enough to be in their division, knocked 'em out with their production. They got second place but I think the crowd liked them best!

So, all in all it was another successful annual meeting.

But it still feels good to be back.

Annual Meeting

2008-12-05T18:18:00.000-08:00

Yea! I'm so excited! We leave early tomorrow for Farm Bureau's annual meeting! Besides being a great place to meet other "farm folk" it is also a wonderful vacation for our family. We also go to YF&R in February (That's Young Farmer and Rancher to ya'll) which is actually aimed more at families and family time, but this one is lots of fun too. Mostly because its all about policy meetings and I am not a delegate. Therefore I must spend my time profitably by shopping for Christmas presents at the outlet mall! And swimming at the indoor pool and channel surfing the million options available on the TV (we don't have TV at our house, so this is a BIG deal).

The hotel is actually a resort on the Lake of the Ozarks and they go all out on the Christmas decorations. There are elves who meet you as you drive in, snowflakes hanging everywhere, and a GIANT tree in the lobby. Must be 30 feet tall. No kidding. Its huge. And they hire a wonderful pianist to serenade you with Christmas carols as you eat-- which I love. Last year we took our family Christmas card picture in front of the decorations on main platform. So much holiday spirit! Did I tell you how much I'm looking forward to this?

So provided we don't drive down at three o'clock in the morning trying to outrun a blizzard we are actually caught in (true story) or forget the bag with the underwear and make-up (no one at this conference seems to sell Mary Kay...) it should be great!

Dear Reader

2008-12-04T08:14:00.000-08:00

Please excuse Kelly from blogging today. Last night she split her right thumb nail while picking up Legos and later that same evening she pulled half of the nail off her left thumb by snagging it skillfully on her belt. Typing is torture and I do not like being dictated to.

Sincerely,

The Family Computer

Season for Hope

2008-12-02T10:09:00.000-08:00

In this season we think of hope. Eternal hope even.

And while this phrase was coined in reference to all mankind, but it could not be truer of any group than the farmer. I am reminded of this because the farm just ordered its seed for next year. May I just remind you that this year's crop isn't even out of the ground yet!

Each year tiny seeds are placed in the ground with the hope that it will not hail, freeze, or get too hot. We hope for rain on exactly the right day, and enough dry spells to complete work on time. There is the hope that bean leaf beetles and spider mites will magically be absent this year and cut worms will only invade Brazil. We hope for bumper crops and higher market prices.

And every year the hail, the late frost, the flooding bottoms, the insects, or the droughts return. We realize that the hybrid chosen for the hill ground would have been better off in the bottoms and the corn we struggled to plant as early as possible did better when planted late. Harvest comes and you look back on the mistakes, misadventures, and misfortunes of last year with the perfect vision that is hindsight.

But as the year grows old the seed catalogs come. Stein, Golden Harvest, Pioneer and all the rest send their reps out to our fields to show their new products and promise cures for farming ills. Bright shiny pages advertise huge corn ears and giant seed pods. We are wooed by the promise that is “next year.”

And hope must spring eternal.

The S Word

2008-11-29T06:37:00.000-08:00

Ugh. I am totally in denial. There is white stuff falling down from the sky. It must be rain 'cause I'm not ready for... the "s" word.

Our son has a toy combine that opens up into a book and in the book "Corey Combine" says you have to get all the corn in before the *#@! flies. Its been our joke this year since Marshall farms is rarely ever done harvesting before then. However, just because I've joked about it does not mean I'm ready! Icy roads, frosted windshields, slick sidewalk. I am so moving to Florida. NO! Cozumel.

But I guess they don't grow a lot of soybeans in Cozumel...

Wonder how my husband would feel about growing bananas?

With Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T07:56:00.000-08:00

I love Thanksgiving! It seems to get overlooked by the excitement of Halloween and the coming of the Christmas season. And even though I will get out our tree and such tonight, I love the idea that our country has set aside a day just to be thankful. So to celebrate today I'm posting (in random order) things my family is thankful for.

each other

our home

kitties

pizza and a movie

rides in the combine together

parents

chai tea

talk radio

Internet access

grandparents

Scriptures

good health

my dishwasher

toddler's new words

the Grand Prix

food on our table

hand-me-downs

new camera

good books

hugs

scrapbooking

sisters

job

new recipes

playing outside

kisses

bountiful harvest

God's protection

peanut butter cookies

Veggie Tales

vacations

lower gas prices

new clothes

funny faces

brothers

Wal-Mart

chocolate milk

shoes

1st Steps

Sunday School

Parents as Teachers

disposable diapers

dump truck, loader, and bulldozer toys

dry days

helping hands

family dinners

quilts

testimonies

baby's Lammie

2 working trucks

church family

sales

and the Love of God

Visitors

2008-11-25T08:29:00.000-08:00

Its been a busy time on the farm lately. (But when is it not...) Recently the farm played host to a father/son group Brian's best friend from college is a part of. Though I was away, I greatly enjoyed hearing the stories of a dad plus two squashed into the single buddy seat on the combine and an unbelieving kindergartner rolling off the edge of the semi's sleeper mattress. (He'll listen next time!) Having visitors is a family favorite around here. And showing them a corn harvest is the best! I'm just sad we didn't get any pictures to post. Better luck next time...

Today's the Day!

2008-11-21T08:14:00.001-08:00

I hope. My sister and sister-in-law and I are off to see Twilight! Provided we're okay on tickets. Our tiny theater doesn't seem to sell in advance. How quaint. I hope we don't have to read the words printed on the bottom of the screen... Wish me luck!

I Get a Brownie

2008-11-20T16:47:00.001-08:00

... as my friend Janna would say :). Today I made a good decision. A hard decision. I said no to something I really wanted. Really. And not just some small little thing that I can go back to the store and pick up whenever I feel like it. NOPE. When I said "no" I kissed it good-bye. Forever. :( But-- it was a good decision.

And I know it was the right decision because it would not have been helpful to our financial plan.

It was the right decision because it would have interfered with a responsibility at church.

It was the right decision because the little guy will appreciate the... lack thereof.

And it was the right decision because now I have peace.

And a brownie.

Sounds of Fall

2008-11-19T07:47:00.000-08:00

The sounds of fall are like music to my ears. The russel of leaves in the trees. The cry of the geese as they pass by. The gentle murmur of deer rifles continuously causing me to startle from dawn until dusk. Ahh. Life in the quiet country.

Seriously. You'd think I'd get used to it.

But nope. Each time someone takes a shot at anything without a bright orange vest I jump three feet in the air and look frantically for my baby. Because I wouldn't know if a bullet broke through the window and came careening into our home? Because the hunter friend staying at our house is tired of the dinner tantrum routine? Because I am a paranoid freak?

Or because I am a Mom.

Yep. That's probably it.

Thankful

2008-11-14T06:12:00.001-08:00

I’m starting Thanksgiving early this year! (Not that there is a time limit on being thankful or anything!) Yesterday we took our little guy to the children’s hospital to be re-evaluated for his muscle condition. He was born with cramped muscles on one side of his neck and at nineteen months old he has been in therapy for most of his life. Some children face physical deformations, surgery, and various other trying medical procedures. So far our son has had therapy, taping, a special collar, and Botox injections (who knew?), which have not been fun, but could be much worse. Well, yesterday we got good news! He still tips his head more than he should, but it is now habit and not a muscle condition!!! Yea!!!

More good news is that the Doctor could find no sign of physical deformation in his face or jaws (bad for dental work!) and only a little bit of a flat head where he sleeps. The doc informs us that this should continue to round out as he grows and hair will soon (we hope—he’s been bald for a while now!) cover whatever remains.

So while I plan to write a whole Thanksgiving blog in a few weeks, I just had to post this blessing a little early.

Praise God!

Happiness

2008-11-11T12:39:00.000-08:00

We love movies.

For Christmas a few years ago we bought one of those DVD holders and we chose a big one so we could "grow into it." Well, we also got each other enough DVDs that the shelves were nearly full by New Year's.

But I have no idea about any movie filmed within the last four years. No clue. At all.

We don't have any TV channels; cable is expensive and mind numbing and none of the public channels reach our rural home without an extensive antenna system. So we rarely see commericals. And to see previews you'd have to go to the theater. I think we see the inside of the AMC 12 about once a year. So like I said-- I have no idea about any movie filmed after 2004.

BUT! There were plenty of great movies filmed before
then :-). And while the average person could rent one at the local Movie Gallery or grocery store, us country bumpkins don't like to drive all the way into town to pick one out only to have to drive all the way in again to return it. The solution? Buy movies at Wal-Mart. From the $5.00 bin. Which means the selection is limited, but hey.

Last night we enjoyed our raining holiday by dropping by one of our farm landlord's with a check and stopping at Wal-Mart to check out the amazing array of cheap films.

And honestly, I can't tell you how much fun it was.

See, for $5. 27 money really can buy happiness after all.

More of the Same... Weather

2008-11-10T14:06:00.000-08:00

.04 inches of rain. That is what the digital gauge is reading, but it is apparently enough to bring harvest to a grinding halt. And within just a few hours of finishing the beans. Aargh. NOAA has big predictions for rain tonight (90%), so I doubt it'll be back to the fields for a while.

On the bright side it is not snow! Some forecaster was predicting just such weather. After I hunt him down and let him know exactly what I think about bringing THAT word into our vocabulary, I plan on being glad of it.

And as I read back it seems a lot of my posts are about the weather. Funny enough it seems as if my life might revolve around rainfall, temperature, and wind. For my next blog I'll just link ya'll directly to the day's forecast...

Brrr!

2008-11-08T10:47:00.000-08:00

Whoa! Yesterday it was fall and today it is... well, I guess it is still fall,but now its COLD! And windy too. Poor hubby. Weather like this is very bad for working outside. Fixing combines. Hitching up head wagons. Transporting soybeans.

But it is perfect weather for hot chocolate and a chick flick. Watching bits of corn stock fly by. Snuggling with the little guy. Baking pumpkin muffins. There is no where to be, no place to go. I can stare out at the falling leaves and enjoy the scenery from our hilltop house. Its a great day to be a farm wife.

Just maybe not a farmer.

Undecided

2008-11-05T05:41:00.000-08:00

Do you ever find yourself in a position where you don't know what to think? Not, unable to think, which does seem to vex me more often than it should considering I'm still in my 20s. But pulled in two directions, feeling that to root for either side would be okay-- but should you?

No, this is not about the election.

Its about the weather.

Ironically, no matter what I think, I have very little (okay, no) control over the weather. So why the worry? Well, I guess its just the life of a farm family. Brian has been in the combine for almost two weeks straight.

Which is good. We are getting near the finish line for harvesting soybeans. Just a few more days and we could have them all in the bin. Then we'll start back on corn. And there is a lot of that to harvest. And it needs to be in the bins before a storm can knock it over or the deer eat it or snow stops our progress in the field. And all of these are very good reasons for wanting the weather be fair and sunny.

On the other hand-- I miss my husband. Its amazing how many things I need to tell him, but I feel as if I've hardly seen him. A quick phone call here or there to discuss the most important stuff. A few rides around the field to talk about how harvest is going. A speedy kiss before he runs out the door in the morning. I miss my husband.

So... what to wish for? Rain, sun, sleet, hail-- oops, not hail. Just get the harvest over with as quickly as possible and then he can come home, or a small break in the chaos to spend an evening with us? Ugh. I just don't know.

God knew what he was doing when He did not bequeath me power over the weather. Wth my whirling thoughts we'd probably have a tornado.

Confession

2008-11-03T08:27:00.001-08:00

I'm rereading Twilight. Again.

What does that say about me? I dunno. I'm not usually the kind of person to go in for vampire books, movies, etc. In fact the last scary movie I remember watching was Arachnophobia in second grade. And I still look for spiders in my bed.

But, in my defense, Twilight is not like that. These are good vampires. Really.

And my sister called the other day and we made plans to see the movie for her birthday (which is the 20th). Girl time, fun movie, toddler-less time. Needless to say I'm really looking forward to that!

However, I'm still not sure what it says about me that I'm rereading them. For the fourth time.

Thank Goodness

2008-10-29T12:07:00.000-07:00

Today I've got a full schedule. I've temporarily suspended fall cleaning in order to create enough order for a party at our house on the 31st! The garage is looking better, bathrooms are... as good as they get, and the pinata is almost done. I'm so excited!

And... the little guy is out cold.

Thank goodness.

He had his 18 month shots today, which means, as a good mother, I can give him Tylenol. Which may have contributed to this coma-like sleep I love so much, but he needed it. Really. Shots hurt. You'd want medication too.

Normally I am not about giving my son unnecessary medication. In fact I lean to as little meds as possible, since he's so little and all. But today I am acting on dr.'s orders.

Thank goodness.

Fall Cleaning

2008-10-28T10:31:00.000-07:00

I happen to be a clean person. I like order, dust-free surfaces, and fresh laundry folded in my drawers.

But we can't always have what we want.

Last fall our house was... under construction. I'm still not recovered.

Then there is spring cleaning. Of course last spring I had a one-year old. I did some deep cleaning. But not much. The spring before, well, I had a newborn.

So if you're doing the math you can see that its been like two years since I've really gotten down on my hands and knees and scrubbed the cracks and crevices of my home. Yuck.

But this fall I am inspired. Um, well.. maybe it would be more precise to say "was inspired." At the moment I'm just TIRED! Yesterday I mopped floors and then stood on a chair all day cleaning the light fixtures, ceiling fans, and cobwebs. Today I scrubbed the bathrooms and did the windows. Tomorrow I'll be mopping the floors again. Bad idea to do them first.

But I have not done this by myself. I had help. In the form of my eighteen month old. He dumped Comet all over the bathroom and hallway floors and on his lovey, Lammie. That was useful. Then he took the rags I cleaned the windows with to the trash can. He only dropped about a dozen dead flys and left just a small trail of dust. He had also tried to eat the light bulbs and when I gave him his own lunch he threw beans and rice across the dining room. All across it.

Its a good thing fall comes just once a year.

Town

2008-10-23T15:24:00.000-07:00

My husband asked me to go into town to mail a letter. Sounds simple enough.

But which town?

Living in the country, such as we do, "town" is nebulous at best. First there is the tiny little town which is our mailing address. It has a small (over priced) grocery store, post office, gas station-- oh! two gas stations, school, and four-way stop. Oh yeah.

The next closest town is about 15 minutes away and has considerably more. There are several "mom and pop" restaurants, fast food, bank, Wal-Mart, and prison. Oh! Two prisons. This is where I usually head as I can also visit the library (which I must pay to belong to since we actually live in another county!) or drop off dry cleaning. Exciting stuff like that.

Then there is the small city/big town we go to once a week for the baby's physical therapy. It's 45 minutes or so away, but boasts several shopping centers, a small mall, a few craft stores, one electronics store, book store, and lots of services and such.

And the grand finale-- the city. A real cit-- small compared to say, Chicago, but it has sky scrappers and traffic jams and everything. We go there for BIG craft stores, big malls, the children's hospital, Babies R Us, nice restaurants, movie theaters, and Christian bookstores. Obviously its not where I'll go to mail a letter though :-).

So chose carefully. Going to town is a big deal.

The Perfect Nursery Rhyme

2008-10-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

Rain, rain, go away

Come again another day.

Little Johnny wants to play.

Are You Missing Humor?

2008-10-16T19:24:00.000-07:00

If you don't work with your family each day in a business arrangement you really have no idea what you're missing. Namely-- humor. For example:

The other night my brother and sister-in-law went to a football game and left their three year old with my mother-in-law. After the toddler woke up from his nap my husband and father-in-law decided he and Grandma should both come to the field and help with harvest. Meanwhile I've fixed dinner and taken it out to the field. My little guy and I are riding with Brian in the combine.

So MIL calls hubby and says we need the semi, so she's going to drive his combine while he goes and gets it. We stop to switch with she and my nephew, but since all of the family is in the combine we end up staying in our vehicles and driving back to the car. Then the three of us get in the Grand Prix (which is parked in the middle of a field after a two mile trek through newly cut bean stocks) and the two of them begin harvesting. We drive two miles down the rode and drop Brian off so he came pick up the semi. He drives it back to the edge of the field and then I drive him all the way back where he gets into his combine. Then MIL gets into the truck with the three year old and drives across the field to the other combine driven by my father-in-law. She switches with him so he can drive the loaded semi back to "home base" where the bins are.

At least they are amusing.

Bounteous Blessings

2008-10-14T06:15:00.000-07:00

We live for the bounties of fall.

But the harvest of friendship

is blessed above all.

Pizza Hut Pizza

2008-10-11T12:25:00.000-07:00

I'm always searching for good "travel" menus. During harvest one of my, shall we say, challenges, is getting food to the field. Besides being a bit of a pain it is also highly unfufilling to take a gourmet dish in a Styrofoam container to men who will wait 45 minutes before eating it so it is completely cold and no longer tastes like anything worth eating and then come home to eat my portion which is now stuck the bottom of the pan. And while I realize this is a terrible run-on sentence, perhaps you can sense my frustration in it. So like I said, I'm always on the look out for "travel" food.

Unfortunately one of the easiest foods to transport is pizza. In a nice box. Straight from the take-out counter. Its also one of the unhealthiest and most costly.

But I have an innovative husband and access to the Internet. So he took it upon himself to find Pizza Hut's recipe for pan pizza. And it really works. I use less oil than called for in the recipe and also use half whole wheat flour (all whole wheat seems to be a bit much).

Dough:
1 1/3 cups warm water (105)
1/4 cup nonfat dry milk
1/2 tsp salt
1 T sugar
1 pkg dry yeast
2 T oil
4 cups flour
9 oz oil (3oz per pan)

Put yeast, sugar, salt, and dry milk in 2 qt. bowl, add water, mix well. Allow to sit 2 min. Add oil and stir. Add flour and stir until dough forms. Turn onto flat surface and knead for about 10 minutes. Divide dough into 3 balls. In three 9" cake pans evenly spread 3 oz of oil. Roll out each dough ball to 9" circle and place in cake pans. Spray outer edge of dough with Pam. Cover with a plate and place in warm area. Allow to rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Sauce:
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp marjoram
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp garlic salt

Combine and let sit 1 hour.

For each pizza: Preheat oven to 475. Spoon 1/3 cup sauce on dough and spread to within 1" of the edge. Distribute 1 1/2 oz shredded mozzarella cheese. Place topping in this order: Pepperoni or ham, veggies, meats and top with 3 oz mozzarella. Cook until cheese is bubbling and outer crust is brown (about 10 min.). Cut into six slices.

So bring on the Styrofoam. I'm ready.

Shiny!

2008-10-06T07:13:00.000-07:00

This was the shiny, new combine fresh from the factory.

This is the combine as of this weekend. I guess you could say the new car smell is gone.

But the very good news is that we are harvesting! Not exactly with a vengeance or anything... but still. Work is getting done. And some of the fields are looking good!

Its still too wet to run on the 24 hour shift mode (for which I'm greatful). The last field they opened was about 21% moistuer. (It should be between 15-16%) All that wet corn has to go through the dryer. Which is what it sounds like. Then it can go into the various big bins on the farm. But it takes a while for it to dry out, so they can't harvest too much at a time. But, like I said, its getting done. And that counts for something!

Wonders of the World

2008-10-03T09:38:00.000-07:00

There are some questions to which we may never have answers. Like:

How did the ancient Egyptians build the pyramids?

Is there a Lock Ness Monster?

What is going on the Bramunda Triangle?

And most importantly: How does so much corn end up in the washing machine during harvest?

We may never know.

We Are So Doing That Again!

2008-10-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

Wow! I've just discovered the most amazing thing! My son loves the combine. And he loves it so much he's happy to sit there for at least two hours while Daddy works. And Mommy LEAVES!!!

Last night I had an appointment with a client, so I dropped the little guy off with his Dad and then hurried home again as quickly as I could. I was picturing my husband holding the destructive toddler forces at bay while trying to steer a huge piece of equipment with one hand. I was imagining Brian with no hair as he had pulled it all out in frustration as baby poked and prodded every imaginable button available and then tasted everything else. I was dreading the words "never again" as my son was handed back to me.

But no! He and Daddy were happily working along until they finished the field, at which time they went back to the farm to fuel the combine before moving on. Brian was feeding our son turkey and cucumber when I got there.

Way to go Dad!

And tonight I had a women's group meeting, at which I was speaking and could not possibly hope to corral 26 pounds of dynamite.

So once again I was thinking, imagining, brainstorming, fearing...

And all of it groundless!

I am definitely doing this more often.

A New Look

2008-09-29T10:06:00.000-07:00

450 pages. That's how much my husband had to read to learn how to operate the new combine's monitor. Two completely different manuals. And the second one started with "This manual assumes you have read and understood the previous manual." I was a little afraid he was going to throw something.

69 minutes. That's how long it took to download the software necessary to retrieve the information stored in the Precision Planting monitor. That and three tech support phone calls.

23 seconds. That's how much time it took for him to realise he should have imputed all the planting information in a different way.

Farming sure doesn't look like it used to.

12 months. That's how long it will take for him to get over this mistake.

But some things will never change.

It's Hard to Figure

2008-09-25T18:18:00.001-07:00

Nothings fits. It's either too small or too big. And I don't like how it looks either.

Sounds like a clothing problem, right? Wrong. This would be an equipment problem. And for mechanical reasons I don't understand, its a big one.

Who would have thought that a piece of metal that looks like the hubcab on my car would be such an issue (or so expensive!)? It is exactly 3 inches across. And the parts store had 2 3/4 inches or 3 1/8 inches. Cruel really. So first a lot of banging was tried. This held long enough to haul two more loads. Then.. well, not so much.

So my father-in-law actually drove four hours today to buy a 3 inch piece.

But today, its too wet to run.

Go figure.

/A/, /a/, /a/

2008-09-23T06:58:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't speak teacher, the title is the short a sound-- the sound my son made all day yesterday as we picked apples! He loves this John Deere alphabet book which uses (of course!) an apple for the letter a. It was so fun to watch him see apples on the tree!

Not that he could do anything about it. No matter how hard he tried, or how hard I tried to make it easier, he couldn't get the stems to snap. Poor kid is all crunched over under the tree pulling and pulling to get one measly apple while mommy fills the whole bag in 15 minutes. It would have been about 5 minutes, but I had to stop and take a few pictures. Okay, okay, 76 pictures. But aren't they cute!

Now the kicker is getting something done with them all. My husband wants applesauce, I want some frozen for apple crisp, and the little guy just wanted to eat one! Too bad it requires teeth and a slightly larger jaw.

So wish me luck. I'm sure an extra four hours will just fall into my day!

Small Town Life

2008-09-22T12:01:00.001-07:00

In the big city you've got shopping districts, movie theaters, parks and play groups, and who knows what all else. In a small town you've got... the small town festival.

Not that I'm dissing it or anything. I look forward to the local parade (especially the tootsie rolls thrown in an election year!), seeing school girls tap dance, and buying baked goods from the local Cub Scouts. Its fun to see everyone mixing and mingling on the town square and smelling the corn dogs sold out of those trailer-like stands. I like porkburgers and Dr. Pepper, sports teams painting little kids' faces, and all those crafts...

And this year I was one of those craft booths! I took a display board with samples of my custom scrapbook pages uptown and tried to convince passer-byers that I'm selling the service of making their scrapbook, not a product! It was fun, hot, and hopefully productive (and if your curious you can check out my website)!

My son had a good time looking all around with Grandma and Aunt Katie, although I don't think he had as much fun on the merry-go-round as we had hoped. He, unlike me, also does not like porkburgers. Oh well. Brian stood on the corner talking to other farmers about the moistuer level of the corn and who is harvesting and how much. He does like porkburger.

So while it may not have been as educational as an afternoon at the art gallery or enthralling as the latest fashions--I sincerely mean it when I say it was fun.

Ready or Not

2008-09-19T07:15:00.000-07:00

I'm almost ready. Almost. There are some things about harvest that I love. I love riding in the buddy seat of the combine, especially when we harvest corn. There are few things like the view from the seat of a huge combine enclosed all the way to your feet with glass. (Or you know, whatever windows are made of...) I love the smell of autumn and the feel of the chill in the air. I can't wait to cut corn shucks for my front porch and take my son to pick out a pumpkin.

But harvest is really busy. And that means Brian is gone. A lot. It means no daddy to take over bedtime duty. It means making all our meals "to-go" in Styrofoam containers and driving them all over the countryside to the crew. It means when Brian does come home he's tired.

Of course, its not the end of the world or anything. There are always rainy days (provided there aren't TOO many) to enjoy. And nothing bonds a family like riding together for hours on end. Last year our little guy would even take his naps on the combine floor. But regardless, harvest is something I have to mentally gear-up for.

Each day this week I've been asking my husband what he'll be doing. That way I can keep track of our harvest "readiness." And its coming.

But I'm almost ready. Almost.

Not Nike

2008-09-17T12:52:00.000-07:00

Life is a funny thing. Ironic really. For four years our garage has been an absolute disaster. As we've remodeled our old farm house we've used the garage for a work space, storage, and, well, a garbage can. Oh, sure, a few times we've cleaned a slightly bigger path through the junk piled up on both sides as you walk to the door. I've even swept (and then thrown away the broom...). But there is no denying it has been a total disaster.

So a few weeks ago we decided (du, da, da, du!) to clean it! I mean really clean it. It took two days to get everything out of the garage. And that was after we threw more than 10 huge garbage bags of total grossness into the local landfill. Then my husband wanted to paint it. Twice. And then the ceiling. Twice.

But now it is done! Very little remains. There is the deep freeze, a cart with tools, an air compressor, a few buckets of paint and several painting tools. That's it. So we bought shelves and made a plan.

And I can't follow it.

These huge, sturdy, shelves sit there and mock me. So neat, so clean! I cannot bear to put anything on them. To allow that mess into the house again-- I cannot tolerate it! The camping gear, the (dozens) of tool boxes, the gardening supplies, the baby clothes, the WHY ARE WE SAVING THIS stuff. It all sits in the shed, blocking the lawn mower. And the lawn really needs to be mowed.

But I just can't do it.

No Such Thing

2008-09-16T07:38:00.000-07:00

If you are a guy and you're reading this you probably have no idea what I'm talking about. But if you are a girl, especially if you are married, you know exactly what I mean.

Boys have way too many toys!

Yesterday my husband and our hired farm hand were working on the 10-wheeler, getting it ready to haul grain for the harvest. Brian came home no less than three times to get some very specific and highly necessary tool. I have a dad, a brother and several uncles, so I have some experience with tools. But these... well, I'd never even seen anything like them before. Nor do I have any understanding whatsoever about how they will help add braces to hold a new tarp onto the truck. (Okay, okay, I got the paint brush part...)

One was a long, thin... stick attached to a cord and plug-in... thingy. Then there were the gauges with funky prongs? For working on a truck? I dunno.

But I am absolutely certain that every tool he owns is vitally important to the daily workings of our farm. Or, at least, he's certain.

Too many toys? Perhaps I'm not qualified to say. And maybe its better if I just don't know.

H, I, J...

2008-09-13T06:22:00.003-07:00

In Missouir we are familiar with tornados, mosquitos, and humidity. Hurricanes? Not so much. But according to the local weatherman, they are here. Yesterday we had 1.69 inches of rain (no, I cannot read a rain guage that acuratly, we have a spify electronic rain guage) and at 8:00 this morning we'd already had 1.77 inches since midnight. And Ike just hit!

First off, for all of you in Texas (or anywhere on the coast really) in the path of a REAL hurricane-- we're praying for the best. But secondly-- what is with this!

Usually we worry about our crops washing away with the spring rain, getting hailed on in a summer storm, or blowing away in a mid-west tornado. Drowning in a September tropical storm is not... NORMAL!

So Brian is keeping an eye on the bottom ground, hoping and praying all our corn and beans stay right where they are. After all the rain we had this summer they look really good, and with the prices we've paid for next spring's imputs we really need this crop. It's not our home, but it is our livelyhood.

So pray for those on the coast, and if you think about it, remember the farmers too.

There She Stands

2008-09-11T14:40:00.000-07:00

by Michael W. Smith

When the night
Seems to say
All hope is lost
Gone away
But I know
I'm not alone
By the light
She stands

There she waves
Faithful friend
Shimmering stars
Westward wind
Show the way
Carry me
To the place
She stands

Just when you think it might be over
Just when you think the fight is gone
Someone will risk his life to raise her
There she stands

There she flies
Clear blue skies
Reminds us with red
Of those that died
Washed in white
By the brave
In their strength
She stands

When evil calls itself a martyr
When all your hopes come crashing down
Someone will pull her from the rubble
There she stands

We've seen her flying torn and tattered
We've seen her stand the test of time
And through it all the fools have fallen
There she stands

By the dawn's
Early light
And through the fight
She stands

The Toddler

2008-09-06T16:16:00.000-07:00

Over the years I've outwitted a lot of wildlife.

Opossums, raccoons, deer, mice, once even a ground hog. It all started when I stopped feeding our poor kitties the cheap (gross) cat food my husband bought and started giving them Science Diet, compliments of my veterinarian Dad. Oh yeah, the good stuff.

Well, then I began to notice the cats were eating a lot more than I thought they should. And they still seemed hungry. My suspicions were confirmed when I noticed the sleek raccoons and a opossum with a very soft looking coat. Well that stuff doesn't come cheap, so the battle was ON. We moved the food dish, got a dog, fed the kitties in the house, fed them in the garage, and a variety of other things. I finally found something that worked.

Our garage door is the one we use the most often and I'm sure it smells a lot like us. And instead of feeding the kitties once a day we just scoop out a little each time we go through the door. Presto! Problem solved.

And then, today, I met with the wildest wildlife of all.

The toddler.

Just when I thought my kitty food was safe, just when I had out thought, out planned all the other woodland creatures, my son comes along. Oooh. Neat. He started out by dropping each individual piece into the water dish to watch it swell. So I got rid of the water dish. (Hey, the cats are drinking out of his Fisher Price water table anyway...) Not helpful. He just moved on to dropping each piece one at a time into the bushes. I later found Sammy carefully crunching his way through the box woods like a child from the Hansel and Gretel story. I am back to square one.

Well, I have gotten rid of raccoons, opossums, mice, deer, and ground hogs, but it seems I have met my match.

I'm Good for the Economy

2008-09-04T13:53:00.000-07:00

If there was one real problem in our early married days, it would have to have been money. I mean really, who doesn't have financial disagreements with their spouse? I've heard its the most common reason for a divorce.

But unless you married a farmer, you haven't got a clue.

Here's why. When we got married I was teaching kindergarten. A nice job, nice school, nice co-workers, pitiful salary. But I knew how to do the math. Nothing, minus very little, equals not much. Farming was a whole new issue. Money comes in, money goes out. And out, and out. Seed. Chemical. Fertilizer. Parts. Labor. Fuel. I just wave good-bye as the checks go to the mail.

And its time to send out those checks again. Sigh. There goes my Prada bag. And my in-ground pool. And my new house.

At least I'm good for the economy.

Holding My Breath

2008-09-02T10:52:00.000-07:00

They say its supposed to rain. Like, within the next seven minutes. They said big clouds were headed this way from Iowa and would be at the town north of us by now. Then it would continue our direction and any time now the rain will pour down on our thirsty soybeans, newly seeded lawn, and unsuspecting kitties. Its what they say.

But even though my fingers are crossed and I'm praying really hard, I keep seeing blue sky out my windows. There are some big, fluffy, white clouds ambling across the scenery and a slight breeze-- is it coming from the north!? Butterflies are dancing happily and the cows are still standing up in the pasture. Sunshine warms the roof of our home and the A/C struggles to keep up.

BUT, if you look at it just right there could be a slight gray color on the horizon and I'm positive the humidity is rising as we speak... er, type.

So I'm sure that the much needed gentle rainfall is in our future. After all, they did say.

Kinda Laid Back

2008-09-01T12:25:00.000-07:00

John Denver said that "life on the farm is kinda laid back" which I'm guessing means he never actually lived on one. But for us August is as close to laid back as we get. And while you might notice that this is actually the first day of September, the same is holding true for the moment. See, this year it rained and poured in the spring, so our crops were um, well... a little late. So now harvest will be a little late too. But unlike the spring I am excited about a late harvest. Why? you ask. See above title. Instead of planting, spraying, applying fertilizer, scouting, fixing, repairing, and all the other never ending work on a farm we are improving MY YARD! And no one does dirt work like a farmer.

Two years ago my father-in-law took a bulldozer to these giant scrubby trees that were badly damaged in a tornado. Then we knocked in an old cellar before our son was born, since it seemed a bit hazardous to me. When our septic tank went bad we dug it up and put in a new one. Oh! And two Christmas' ago we finally got rid of our well and hooked up to city water. So to imagine what my backyard looked like just picture a gravel query. Or the Grand Canyon. Whatever works for you.

But today they are fixing it!!! As I type I can hear two of the smaller tractors running over the yard with a box scraper and a front loader to smooth out the bumps previously created by the larger tractor and disk. Next up we'll spread grass seed and then a tractor and wagon will bring straw to cover it all with. Yep. No one does dirt work like a farmer.

So, even though fall harvest is right around the corner, today life is kinda laid back!