Throwback Thursday # 43: Best of Blogs 2010

"If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." ~Toni Morrison

Well because this is my last Throwback Thursday for the year, I've decided to look back over this year's blogs and do a list of my favorite posts for 2010.

The plan was for there to be a "Top 10" list, but I couldn't narrow it down to 10, and everyone I asked for help added a new blog to the list. So....we're calling the "Best of" instead! I've hyperlinked each blog so that you can quickly go back and read them if you want and I've tried to give you a little taste of what each was about.

I'd love to hear which blogs have been YOUR favorites! Comment below!

General Blogs:

Dumping the Girl Friends (A little discussion of why a girlfriend/wife should not make a guy cut all female friends out of his life)

Loud Barks and Huge Hearts (How ag teachers impact kids far beyond those in their own classroom.)

Why Kirk Herbstreit Is Killing My Love Life (My expertise in college football may be hampering my love life?!?)

The End of My Mid Twenties (Celebrating the awesome-ness that has been my twenties so far!)


Sweet Home Alabama Disease (I'm a country girl who calls Stillwater the Happiest Place on Earth, loves San Francisco, and lives in a completely different city....no wonder I'm confused! I'm not alone though, as The Bride liked this blog the best of the year!)

Not About You (A simple phrase about God's plans for our lives really got me thinking.)

A Lesson from Pancake Boy (Dating is tough.....ND Friend let me share her story!)

Notre Dame Trip #4: Livelong Dreams and Lifelong Friends (Read about how I got to make my childhood dream a reality this year.)

Here, There or Everywhere (My struggle with how to give.)

Word for 2010: Awestruck (What one word best sums up my 2010? Apparently I picked a good word because The Crazy Canadian voted this as her favorite blog of the year.)

Throwback Thursdays:

#20: Grilled Chicken (This country girl moves to San Francisco and fears losing her job because of lunch.)
#30: Things Built to Last (They don't make men or love stories like this anymore. My dad crowned this his favorite blog of the year...who knew he was such a romantic at heart?)

# 31: Home Ec Hero (How my First Valentine saved me from failing home ec.)

# 36 through # 39: Puking My Way Across Kentucky Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 (A four part mini-series about my food poisoning experience at National FFA Convention 1999. My brother has deemed these his favorite blogs of the year.)

Family Farm Fridays:

#1: What I Learned (An overview of important lessons this farm kid has learned.)

#11: Bull Semen and Bonding (The family that buys bull semen together......)


#15: We’ve Come a Long Way (Tracing my family's show lamb sale back to its roots...chicken gizzards and all.)

# 32: Real Housewives (Those reality stars have nothing on country ladies like my Gran and my mom)

#37: Through the Eyes of a Child (Seeing country life through kids' eyes. My mom was ready to pitch a fit if this one didnt' make the favorites list.)

#42: Christmas Memories (A collection of my favorite Christmas memories with my Gran.)

Second Annual Bucket List Year In Review

"If you think back and replay your year, if it doesn't bring you tears either of joy or sadness, consider it wasted.” ~Unknown

It's that time......My Bucket List Year in Review! In case you missed the 2009 edition, check it out here! Although this year's accomplishments were a bit fewer in number, I can assure you that I had a complete blast completing each of them.

So without further adieu....I present the 2010 Bucket List Year in Review!

Surprise someone. (Read original blog here).
Back in January I flew to Tulsa to suprise SoulMate Friend at her baby shower....and it was awesome! She had NO idea that I was coming---we managed to all keep it a secret (and off facebook) so that when I walked through the door, she made the cutest face ever. I was the first one to know that she was pregnant (only because her husband was at a band concert....he found out a quick second) and being there for her baby shower seemed like a must!

See George Strait in concert. (Read original blog here).

I have loved George Strait (as has every other woman in the world) for as long as I can remember. When I found out that he was making a stop in Tulsa, I knew that this was not an opportunity that I could miss! I mean....George Strait, AND Reba, WITH the Oklahoma Girls and Cousin Whitney. It was an awesome experience!

Take a picture with someone famous. (Read two original blogs here and here).

Thank you, country music for getting me this checkmark. Twice! First I got to meet Alex Weeden, the lead guitarist for Miranda Lambert in Stillwater. He's the boyfriend of a friend and such a nice guy....he got off of his tour bus and came out to meet a bunch of girls who he didn't even know! And, after it was over, he said, "That attorney is quite a hoot!" (Let's hope that was meant in a good way!!) Then I got to meet three of the opening acts at the Brad Paisley Tour--Glorianna, Josh Thompson and (swoon!) Easton Corbin. Sigh.

Run Bay to Breakers. (Read original blog here).

Let me just tell you that this was honestly one of the most fun experiences of my life. I mean it could not have been more fun. On top of the fun, I pushed myself to run 7.5 miles, which still seems insane to me. Figuring out that I am stronger than I thought was an added perk to the Bucket List checkmark!

Donate my hair to Locks of Love. (Read original blog here).

This is something I had wanted to do forever! I finally grew my hair out. It was just a matter of time until I got sick of it. I'm pretty impulsive when it comes to hair. When that impulsive streak kicked in, I went right to the salon and made my contribution! It was a great feeling to think that I would be able to help a kiddo with a disease have a normal head of hair!

Go to a football game at Notre Dame. (Read whole week of blogs here...and here....and here....and here).

I really think it's all been said in the four prior blogs. But reconnecting with an old friend and getting to do something that I've dreamed about since I was 5 years old was the highlight of my year!

If you don't have your own Bucket List, I'd totally encourage you to create one. Even if you just start out with a few things...it's a great way to identify things you really want to do and get them done! I can't wait to see what checkmarks I can get next year! Oh, and for those of you keeping an overall count, I've accomplished 23 1/2 out of 61 current items. Here's to checking off the remaining 37 1/2 and counting!

New Theme Days for 2011

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.” ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

A year ago I started doing theme days....Family Farm Friday and Throwback Thursday have been a lot of fun. Now as 2011 rolls around, I considered retiring these themes and starting new ones instead. But then some people seemed to think that was a terrible idea and I learned that my father only reads the blog on Thursdays and Fridays. So.....I re-thought that and have decided to go with a little bit of new, a little bit of old!

I'm going to stick with Throwback Thursday and Family Farm Friday, but will not be doing them every week. But they'll still be in the mix off and on (and hopefully my dad will keep reading the blog on those days!)

In addition, I'm excited (see below) to announce the theme day for 2011: Meet the Cast Monday

So, you may have noticed the quote that inspired my blog title. "My life has a fabulous cast, I just can't figure out the plot!" For a year and a half, you've been reading about this cast.....and I think it's time that you meet them for yourselves. So.....each Monday you will have a chance to meet one of the cast members. The Oklahoma Girls, College Roomie, SoulMate Friend, BFF, Cousin Kevin, The Crazy Canadian, Cousin Swiss Mister, The Bride, ND Friend.....you'll meet them all!

We'll do this by having them answer a few crazy, random questions about themselves. So....here is where you come in!! If you have specific cast members you want to meet, or if you have questions for specific cast members or for all of them comment now and I'll be sure to ask!

Hope you enjoy the new (and old) theme days in 2011!

Word for 2010: Awestruck

"Time is the same for everyone. We all get the same twenty-four hours in a day, the same seven days in a week, and the same 365 days in a year. We get to choose how we want to fill those days." ~Anna Greenlee

About a month ago, I read a great blog about the writer coming up with one word to describe her experience in 2010. (Click on the link above and read it--seriously, it's that good!) Because you know I'm a sucker for any year in review type projects, I knew I had to think of my own word.

I have decided my word for 2010 is "awestruck" which is defined as full of awe (thank you, dictionary, for that insightful definition) and as having a feeling of mixed reverence and respect and wonder.

This year, I was awestruck when:

I saw SoulMate Friend's face as I walked through the door at her baby shower to surprise her and she exclaimed, "What are you doing here? This is Oklahoma" before saying she thought her sisters' surprise might have been a stripper.

I watched George Strait walk out of the tunnel into the very room where I was sitting and my hands were shaking so bad from excitement that my pictures were blurry.

I got to hold Little Linebacker and Little Princess for the first times. For someone who doesn't consider myself a baby person, my opinion changed in about .2 seconds.

The Loud Oklahoma Girl's birthday party ended with mimosas in a hot tub. It never ceases to amaze me how much fun I have every time the four of us are together.

I crossed the finish line at Bay to Breakers after 7.5 miles and countless naked people. I hoped I could do it, but actuallyknowing I ran the entire race was an awesome feeling.

That my whole family came together to celebrate 100 years on our land. Sitting around visiting and listening to Great Uncle play the piano and dancing until all hours under the tent was one of the most awesome times of the year.

"Aunt Tiffany" got the call from the Crazy Canadian announcing that she was pregnant with the baby we had all been praying for (and I'll now be booking a 2011 trip to meet this little one!). There was a lot of screaming right into the mama-to-be's ear....

When a group of friends who didn't know each other all came together to celebrate my birthday. It's so great to know that you have people from different parts of your life who all care about you.

I set foot into Notre Dame Sadium. And fulfilled a dream I have had since I was 5 years old.

We only get one shot at living our lives. I plan to do my best at making every year the kind that can be summed up with a word like awestruck. Here's to an even better word in 2011!

Hearing the Bells

"The greatest gift you will ever receive will never be found under a Christmas tree. It is far too valuable to be stored in any other place but in the depths of your heart." ~Anonymous

I recently heard the story behind an old Christmas carol, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. I'm constantly amazed at how learning the context in which something was created changes your perspective. (Remember the blog about Agora?)

The song is actually a poem, written by Henry Wordsworth Longfellow. It was written during the midst of the civil war, after the tragic death of his wife and shortly after learning that his son, a soldier, had been injured in battle.

The simple words remind us that even in the most chaotic, difficult times, God is there and offers peace. Talk about a Christmas gift.

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Joseph's Lullaby

"Mankind is a great, an immense family. This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas." ~Pope John XXIII

Well because I have the day off, we are going to forget Throwback Thursday and have a Christmas blog instead.

I have discovered an awesome Christmas song and figured I would share with all of you. ND Friend recommended that I buy the Mercy Me Christmas cd while I was decorating my tree. Because she has good taste in music (this prior blog can be exhibit A), I followed her advice and went right on over to iTunes and bought it.

One of the songs, Joseph's Lullaby, is absolutely amazing. So many Christmas carols we have heard 100 times, so the words seem automatic. And there are a lot of songs written from Mary's perspective. But this one describes how Joseph may have felt that night in the stable. I thought this song was perfect as we prepare our hearts for Christmas.

Joseph's Lullaby

Go to sleep my Son
This manger for your bed
You have a long road before You
Rest Your little head

Can You feel the weight of Your glory?
Do You understand the price?
Does the Father guard Your heart for now
So You can sleep tonight?

Go to sleep my Son
Go and chase Your dreams
This world can wait for one more moment
Go and sleep in peace

I believe the glory of Heaven
Is lying in my arms tonight
Lord, I ask that He for just this moment
Simply be my child

Go to sleep my Son
Baby, close Your eyes
Soon enough You'll save the day
But for now, dear Child of mine
Oh my Jesus, Sleep tight

You can watch the a video and hear the song below:

A Me Weekend

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want." ~Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes

So while I was sidelined this weekend, I decided I needed some "me" time. I realize that some of you probably don't understand this and are thinking, "she's single and has no kids and no roomate.....her LIFE is me time!" But most nights when I get in from work, I have a whole list of things that I need to do before I can go to bed. That's not "me" time.....it's not relaxing (and makes me feel like I need to hire a life clerk).

So, I did run a few errands and finish up my Christmas shopping, but other than that, I spent a lot of time here:

Watching movies on this:

And enjoying the sight of this:

And eating a lot of these:

And wearing these:

The movie marathon included Couple's Retreat (which made me want to hop a plane to Bora Bora right now, and made me realize that I am in love with Vince Vaughn), New Girl in Town (which annoyed me because it portrays small town people as being all backwoodsy and strange, but I did realize that I am in love with Harry Connick, Jr.) and Love Actually (which is a great Christmas movie and I enjoy the fact that not all of the couples end up happy and together--that's real life, people!)

So, basically I vegged out and realized that I am in love with some man in just about every movie I watch. Productive weekend? I'd say so!

Because I'm a Planner

"Our marriage has always been a 50-50 proposition - with the possible exception of closet space." ~Gene Perret

College Roomie called me one night over the weekend. 2 1/2 hours later, our conversation ended when one (or both) of us fell asleep. Mind you, we talk by phone, text or email I would say at least 5 times a day. I think this is how you know someone is your best friend.

Anyway.....to the point of the blog. One of our conversations was about finances and marriage. (Ironic since neither of us is expecting a ring anytime soon....but we're planners, you know!) So we discussed the the complicated, un-fun stuff.....pre-nups, buying houses, etc. Then she brought up an issue I had never even thought of before. Joint v. separate checking accounts.

Turns out College Roomie is in favor of having separate accounts (with a joint as well). I have to be honest--I had never heard of this before and I was amazed! I had a million questions on how that works. College Roomie was amazed at the fact I was not a separate account person. Her theory was that people who get married when they are a little older and who are very independent are into separate accounts. I blew that theory for her.

I knew that there were two people I needed to talk to about this. One is my marriage advisor, The Bride. She and The Groom seem to have everything figured out, so I knew she would have info on this subject. Turns out, they have a joint and separate accounts. The separate accounts are sort of like an allowance---she spends hers on shoes and girls nights, he spends his on golf and video games. I had no idea.

The second person is Cousin Kevin. I almost hate to admit this for fear I'll never hear the end of it, but just about every issue that comes up in my life is taken to Cousin Kevin. That guy is smart, and I feel like we're on the same wavelength about things. Anyway, he was also in favor of separate accounts. Which is ironic because he also said that pre-nups "feel wrong" and that it seems like marriage should be "all in." (I guess "all in" doesn't mean joint checking).

Anyway, because marriage is clearly not anywhere in the immediate future (thanks to getting NO suggestions from any of you after the Most Elligible Bachelor blog), I don't suppose this is an issue that I need to resolve right away. But maybe it's like the farmer who puts the rain gauge out in the middle of a drought believin the rain will come. Perhaps this issue is my rain gauge for Mr. Right. Or perhaps not. But I would love to hear your thoughts and have your input! I am a planner you know!

Ready to Run

"My body could stand the crutches but my mind couldn't stand the sideline." ~Michael Jordan

I've been in sort of an exercise rut lately. You know there are some times when you go to the gym or running outside and you just feel it? You can't wait to go, even while you are there isn't too bad, and afterwards you feel like you could probably run a marathon or leap a building? Yea.....those times have been nowhere in sight.

Instead, getting to the gym or going for a run has been a drag. I've only been going a couple of times a week, and while I'm there, I am bored. When I get home, I'm tired. I think they call this a slump.

The exception to my rut has been kickboxing. So, last Thursday I headed to our TurboKick Christmas class (which means we wore glowsticks and got cookies afterward....woo hoo!!)

Then about halfway through class, it happened. I went to do a "sumo burpie" (you go from standing and jump down into a plank position) and something in my lower back popped and I felt instant pain. I've never had back problems before, but it's not fun. It's hard to sleep and hard to sit at work and hard to walk up stairs.

Anyway, due to this ouchie, I had to take the weekend off from working out at all. And now that I can't.....guess what? ALL I want to do is go for a run. Or lift some weights. Or hit the elliptical machine. Seriously---I was craving exercise all day. Where had THAT been the last month??

Apparently all I needed to break out of my slump was to understand what it's like not to be able to exercise. It's a good reminder......I take things like the ability to hit up the gym for granted. I blogged before about being more grateful for having this ability. Maybe I didn't take it seriously enough. Lesson learned. I'm ready to run!

Family Farm Friday #38: Fly Over States

"Down where I born it was heaven on earth..." ~Luke Bryan, "We Rode in Trucks"

Notre Dame Friend recently texted me about a great new Jason Aldean song. She knew it would be perfect for Family Farm Friday. She was right!

Here a few of my favorite verses.

A couple guys in first class on a flight
From new York to Los Angeles,
Kinda making small talk killing time,
Flirting with the flight attendants,
30, 000 feet above, could be Oklahoma,
Just a bunch of square cornfields and wheat farms,
Man it all looks the same,
Miles and miles of back roads and highways,
Connecting little towns with unknown names,
Who'd want to live down there in the middle of nowhere,

They've never drove through Indiana,
Met the men who plowed that earth,
Planted that seed, busted his ass for you and me,
Or caught a harvest moon in Kansas,
They'd understand why god made those fly over states,

On the plains of Oklahoma
Where the windshield sunset in your eyes
Like a watercolor painted sky
Where like a water color painted sky

You'd think heavens doors have opened
You'll understand why god made
Those fly over states
Take a ride across the badlands
Feel that freedom on your face
Breathe in all that open space
Meet a girl from Amarillo
You'll understand why god made
Why you'd want to plant your stakes
In those fly over states

Those of us who live in the flyover states---who live on land made up of squares of wheat fields and who have spent our share of time on thos back roads, and who have seen those sunsets know that the people on the planes flying over are missing out! I'm glad to have been born and raised in a fly over state! (And yes, the picture is of my childhood---from the air.)

You can check out the whole song here:

Throwback Thursday #42: Christmas Memories

"Something about an old-fashioned Christmas is hard to forget." ~ Hugh Downs

I've blogged before (here....and here......and here) about my Gran. She was hands down one of my favorite people in the whole world. She lived right next door, so my brother and I were lucky to have been raised by great parents and the best grandma ever. She's come up a couple of times on facebook in the last week (which is ironic because I don't think he ever even used a computer) and I decided I should write a blog about her.

Gran had lots of traditions---MASH every afternoon at 4:00, popcorn for dinner every Sunday evening, always watching Andy Rooney and listening to Paul Harvey, taking a walk every morning, wearing either her Big Tex beanie or her summer straw hat---I could go on and on. But in the spirit of the holiday season, I have been thinking about her Christmas traditions.
Every year, our neighborhood exchanges gifts. Usually they are something homeade to eat (hello Aunt Jean's cheesecake!) Gran would always bake loaves of bread and wrap them up in paper. Then she would go to her holly bush in the yard and cut a sprig of holly to tie on each package.

She also really loved candy. Every year she made Tiger Butter and chocolate covered peanuts. I've taken it upon myself to carry on this tradition (probably less about the tradition and more because I love Tiger Butter to be honest). And she would hoard those boxes of chocolate covered cherries she got for Christmas all throughout the year. They are not super tasty when they are fresh, so you can imagine them in July.

Gran, my brother and I always set up her Nativity set. She had a large wooden barn and several Nativity figures---animals, wise men, shepherds, Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. Anyway, every year she would drag the barn out of the well house and we would set it up together. And, because we were ranchers, we would go to the barn and get some real straw for the figures to sit on. And finally my favorite part of Christmas with Gran was her opening presents. You know there are some people who no matter what you get them, they aren't super excited and say things like, "Ohhhhh, thaaaanks." Yea, Gran wasn't like that. She was the kind of person who even if you wrapped up some pinceone with paper glued to it, she would get super excited and say, "Hey Hey!" and act like you bought her a tennis bracelet from Tiffany's. I haven't found anyone else who is as much fun to give a present to.

I still miss my grandma every day, but I am so glad to have these kinds of memories with her. You notice none of these memories involve expensive gifts or fancy things; they involve our family spending time together.
Remember this when you're with your family this Christmas.....you never know when you're making memories worth more than any present wrapped up under the tree.

Unanswered Prayers

"Faith isn't faith until it's all you're holding onto." ~ P.B.S. Pinchback


Garth Brooks has an old song called "Unanswered Prayers" where he tells a story of seeing his high school girlfriend years later and being thankful that God didn't give him what he thought he wanted when he was 18, because what God eventually did give him was so much better.
I certainly agree with Garth Brooks that there are times to thank God for unanswered prayers. Goodness knows if I had gotten everything that I thougnt I wanted at sometime in my life, I'd be a miserable disaster----wrong schools, wrong jobs, wrong boys, probably wrong friends----I'm glad that there are times that God says no to my prayers.

But there are sometimes where being thankful for Him not answering prayers just doesn't seem to work. When you pray and pray for a cure or a miracle, but someone you love still dies. When my friend repeatedly prays to be blessed with a child of her own, yet the pregnancy test is never positive. In instances like these, I don't think that we are expected to be grateful for our unanswered prayers.


I think that in these circumstances, faith comes into play. Even when we don't understand what God is doing, we can trust Him. Even though we are not thankful for the situation that we are in, we can believe that He is in control. Maybe in these situations, we are not expected to be thankful for the unanswered request, but we are just expected to have faith and hope and to keep on praying.

Most Eligible Bachelors

"I've seen enough to know I know what I like, it's the hard-workin', head turnin' rugged type..." ~Reba, I Want a Cowboy

Well, as I patiently wait for Mr. Right to make his appearance and sweep me off my feet, I couldn't help but notice that MSN posted a slideshow last week of the most eligible bachelors in the world. Well, I would hate to miss out on meeting Mr. Right by not reviewing this list.....so, a few thoughts for you.

First, if I had a magic wand and could make any of thse guys appear at my door, my top two choices would be......drumroll please.......

George Clooney.

Now, I realize that this does nothing to dispel my friend McCain's idea that I have a thing for older men. Which I really don't. But, let's just say if George Clooney showed up at my door, I'd let his old man self in without a second thought. I don't know what it is about him....maybe his eyes. Or maybe that he played Dr. Ross, who was just enough of a bad boy to be really interesting on ER. Whatever it is, he's on the list!

Chris Pine.

(Photo courtesy Contact Music)

Not going to lie, never heard of him prior to reading this list. And two things drew me in. First is the eyes. Is that not the prettiest color of blue you've ever seen? Second, he looks big and athletic. Which is very important for me to consider in a future husband so that I can live out my dream of being a mom to a college football player.

And I'll give first runner up to Curtis Stone.

He's cute, has an accent and can cook. I need a guy with all three of those qualities in my life.

Second, I have to admit that none of these boys get a 10 from me. (Not that they care and since I'll never meet them, that statement will never bite me in the you know what later.)

Here's my problem.....these boys probably spend more time on their hair than I do. Their hands are probably softer than mine, their skin exfoliated weekly and they no doubt spend time in a spa. This is all fine......but not up my alley.

I'm looking for a guy who likes to get his hands dirty and ride a horse and hang out at a stock show. A guy who likes cattle and sheep and wants to spend the afternoon analyzing which bull semen to order. A boy that knows how to melt my heart with an ag college-type compliment. Someone who wears boots and looks good in a hat and can talk farming and diesel engines with my Dad.

So.....if anyone comes across a list of guys like that (or even better...happens to know one in person) let's send him my way. He could be Mr. Right you know! And you might even get credit on the billboard that I've mentioned before....

November Updates

"If you cannot be a poet, be the poem." ~David Carradine

Sorry this is a little late---I've had a lot of blogs popping into my head lately! But, better late than never, right??

Notre Dame Video!
You might remember from my blog about game day at Notre Dame my telling you about hearing the trumpets playing the fight song under the Golden Dome. Well, lucky for everyone, ND Friend caught this on her trusty iPhone camera! It's worth a listen....trust me! It'll make you want to go out and hit someone on a football field!




What I'm Reading...The High Tech Version.
I have blogged once or twice before about what I am currently reading. Well, a couple weeks ago The Bride introduced me to a whole new high-tech version of this! Meet Good Reads.

Not only does this let you check out what other people think of books before you read them, it also lets you keep a list of the books that you have read. And you can see what your friends are reading! I signed up last weekend (here is a link to my list) and have been uploading books ever since! If any of you create (or already have) your own site, let me know so I can link up with you!

Adding to the Herd.
I frequently talk on here about how I hate to shop. There is an exception.....I do love buying livestock! You'll probably remember me buying my cow and heifer this past spring, and my buying 8 ewes over the summer. A couple weeks ago, I added another ewe lamb to my herd.

People at the office deemed her "cute." Not sure that's what I was going for, but I guess it's not a bad thing either!

Quote of the Month.

We all know that it came from the Blonde Oklahoma Girl. I might as well call this segment "The Blonde Oklahoma Girl Quote of the Month."
Anyway, when we were talking about me going to visit Notre Dame, BOkG said that she loved Notre Dame when she was a kid too and that she even had a Notre Dame starter jacket. I asked if it was because of the football program and Rudy. Oh no.....it was for two reasons. One because a boy she liked in elementary school liked Notre Dame, and two becasue Regis Philbin liked Notre Dame. (Opposites must attract because she's one of my best friends ever and we're clearly nothing alike!) Anyway, as I got off the plane in Chicago, BOkG texted and said that she hoped I would meet Regis at the game. I said I'd keep an eye out. Then she responded with the quote of the month.

"Now, he's very little in real life. So if you see a little person, that might be him!"

Sadly I did not see Regis (nor did I see any little people).....but I did enjoy the quote of the month!

Family Farm Friday #37: You Know How Things Work

"What flatterers say, try to make true." ~German Proverb

Last week, I got a call from someone who was seeking an attorney to help with some estate issues involving her family ranch. I explained that my firm does not do transactional work like estates, but assured her that I would help find someone who did this kind of work.
Then, the woman explained to me why she called me, instead of other attorneys who she knows.

"I thought of you, not because you're the only lawyer I know, but because I've heard your FFA speeches. You know how things work."

I have to tell you, I could not have been more flattered. Growing up in an ag community, I understand what she means, because there are a lot of people in the world who really don't know how things work as far as agriculture goes. I'm not insulting them, but I'm saying that it's a way of life that other people don't understand.

I'm proud to have grown up on a farm and ranch and to be seen as someone who knows how things work. I love the fact that I can sit in my office and talk about commercial loan agreements and million dollar class actions, and the next minute be having a conversation about breeding cows or lambing out ewes. I am different that a lot of other lawyers because of this background. But I tell you what, it was my agriculture experiences that made me the person who I am today and I wouldn't trade them for anything.
So, as far as compliments go, being told that I know how things work is one of the best I've received in a long time!

Throwback Thursday #41: 4 Simple Words

“I've yet to be on a campus where most women weren't worrying about some aspect of combining marriage, children, and a career. I've yet to find one where many men were worrying about the same thing.” ~Gloria Steinem

Today we are throwing all the way back to last week when my own actions shocked me.

Here's how it went down.

Recently, a boy (yes, I know that males my age are technically called "men" but I prefer the term "boy" so that's what we'll go with) asked me what I did for a living. Now, in case you don't know, I'm a lawyer and I have been for over a year. Here's a graduation picture to prove it.
My response to this question should have been 4 simple words. "I am a lawyer." But that's not what I said. Instead, I responded with, "I work at a law firm."

It was not something intentional or something that I thought about, but I sure as heck said it. And after I did, I was really mad at myself. I don't work at a law firm...I'm a lawyer. So why did I say that?

Do I feel like I should not really be a lawyer? Am I some closet back-woods "women should be in the kitchen" believer and I don't even know? I don't think so, but heck if I know why I did it. I think that somewhere I apparently worry that a boy will not like the fact that I'm a lawyer.

I think maybe I'm crazy. But apparently I'm not alone. I was talking to another attorney who is extremely successful, very well respected, and even has her name in her firm's title. She told me that she almost always says that she "works at a law firm" when people ask her what she does for a living. She doesn't know why she does it either.

I think this signifies some sort of problem. I don't know what the fix for it is. But what I do know is that if a boy is going to care about the fact that I'm a lawyer, I don't want to talk to him anyway. So I might as well get it out there in the open. So from now on, I'll answer the question with my 4 simple words.

Oh, and to conclude the story: The fact that I said this didn't matter. Dude busted me on the follow up question....are you a lawyer? Sneaky.

Dropping a Love Bomb

"We can do no great things, only small things with great love." ~Mother Teresa

I recently came across an amazing website called Let's Drop a Love Bomb. The whole idea is that people who follow their blog get notices of other bloggers who are having a hard time. Deaths, illnesses, lost jobs, break ups, etc. When something like this happens, everyone on Love Bomb goes to the person's blog and leaves them an encouraging comment. Last week's recipient got over 250 comments on her blog on one day from all around the world.

I think that if the world was more like this--if we looked for people who were hurting and did simple gestures to help them--it would be a better place. Just being there for someone, or saying a prayer for them when they are down, or doing something kind for no reason can make a difference. If everyone did these things every day, we could change the world.

When one of my friends passed away while he was still in high school, his mom said something that I have never forgotten. She said that she could feel the people praying for her. Ever since, I have tried my hardest to say a prayer for anyone I know or hear about going through a hard time. I hope that people can feel this, and it brings them some measure of comfort and peace.

Will a blog comment mend a broken heart? No. But will knowing that people care about you and are praying for you during a difficult situation bring some sort of peace? Hopefully. Check out the Love Bomb website. And look for the opportunity to drop one on people in your own life. Let's change the world.

The Epidemic

"I was more afraid of missing out on God's best for my life than of being alone." ~Trish Ryan, A Maze of Grace

College Roomie started it all when she got an email from one of her friends in China. College Roomie had previously written the friend a letter filling her in on what was going on with her life. Mind you, College Roomie owns a house, has a great job, just got back from Vegas and has a great best friend (aka ME!).

In reply to College Roomie's letter, the friend said, “Happy to know that everything is good to you, but what I care about more is when will you get married?”

Ugh. THAT question. It's an epidemic. And apparently, it is worldwide!

For the life of me, I don't understand it. Why is that the ONE question that it's socially acceptable to ask someone about every time you see them? It would not be okay to ask someone, "So do you have a college degree yet?" or "So did you finally get off your lazy hiney and get a job?" or "So when are you going to lose the 20 pounds you need to lose" when you were not sure of the answer. But it's totally fine to quiz away about someone's relationship status?

And, even a bigger question is why do people measure the quality of a person's life based on their marital status? Don't get me wrong here....I want to get married. Like a lot. BUT.....just because I am not married yet does not mean that my life is sad or that I am miserable. In fact, quite the opposite is true.

I'm happy and independent and free to do and go and talk to whomever I want. I can spend a whole Saturday in my pajamas watching college football or I can jump on a plane to Notre Dame or Stillwater or San Francisco without checking with anyone else, or I can eat Wheat Thins for dinner. And if for some reason I never get married, my life will still be great. (Although I will probably have to learn to cook because a girl can only live in Wheat Thins for so long).

My point is this. While I'm waiting for Mr. Right to come out of the forrest he's lost in (if you see him, please give him a map to my house), I'm still living a really great life. And it's full of a wonderful cast who loves me and supports me and makes me a better person. Am I married? No. Am I happy? You better believe it.

Oh, and when Mr. Right does arrive, you won't need to ask.....I'll probably make t-shirts for everyone and rent a billboard. Designed by this guy. He's clever.

This

"A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it." ~Jean de La Fontaine

First things first.....this month's giveaway winners are Amy E. and Oklahoma Mom! We have two because Cousin Kevin agreed to donate an extra tin! Yay, Cousin Kevin!

Those of you who didn't win can still order your tin from Cousin Kevin here! (Tell them you ordered from me....I'm trying to solidify my position as favorite cousin!) :)

Now, on to today's blog.....I love Darius Rucker. You might remember that I saw him in concert a while back. Anyway, he has a new song out called "This" and I knew the first time I heard it that I would love it. Here are just a few of the lyrics.

Every stoplight I didn’t make
Every chance I did or I didn’t take
All the nights I went too far
All the girls that broke my heart
All the doors that I had to close
All the things I knew but I didn’t know
Thank God for all I missed
Cause it led me here to this

Like the girl that I loved in high school
Who said she could do better
Or the college I wanted to go to
Till I got that letter
All the fights and the tears and the heartache
I thought I’d never get through
And the moment I almost gave up
All led me here to you
I didn’t understand it way back when
But sittin’ here right now
It all makes perfect sense

Isn't this true? I thought he was singing about me....boys that broke my heart, colleges that sent (or didn't send) the letter, moments of heartache.....I've been there. But I'm able to see how those things needed to happen in order to get me to the place where I am now--the place where God intends me to be. Sometimes when we are going through things it's impossible to look at the bigger picture and see how good might come out of difficult situations. But when we look back years later, things often start to fall into place. I, for one, am glad that I didn't get the thins I thought I wanted years ago. And I think Darius Rucker is on something here!

Check out the whole song:

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Family Farm Friday #37: Through a Child's Eyes

“There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million.”
~Walt Streightiff

I've always known that growing up on a farm teaches kids important lessons. Shoot, it was farm lessons that I wrote the very first Family Farm Friday about. I said later that my idea of Heaven would be a childhood memory from the farm. Clearly it's something that I am aware of, but take for granted because I was raised on a farm my whole childhood.

But over Thanksgiving, I got to take a step back and see farm lessons through the eyes of non-farm kids.

First, farming teaches kids about the circle of life. This weekend, I got to watch the birth of a baby calf through the eyes of a three year old. At three years old, he learned that the baby came out of the mommy's tummy and was all gross and yucky, and he learned that the calf would stand up pretty soon to go drink the mommy's milk.

Second, farming teaches kids to problem solve. Two of my "city kid" (if you can call Jal, New Mexico a city) cousins were cruising around on the four wheeler when my dad caputured them and gave them an important assignment. Those of you who know my dad see the humor in this...since I was a kid any time a friend came over to my house for ANY reason, they got put to work by my dad! Anyway, he told the kids to go down to the field and open the gate to let the sheep go back up the lane into the barn. My cousin, Baby Einstein told his sister, "This is going to be hard."

So off they went on the four-wheeler. First, they ended up at the wrong gate. But they figured that out and went to the next one. Which was also wrong. But they figured that out and finally ended up at the correct gate. They went to open it, but figured out that they probably needed to get the four-wheeler out of the gate first. So they did and then they opened the gate and in came the sheep. To celebrate this problem solving effort, part of the family formed a victory line as they drove back to the house.

And a total side note...Baby Einstein said the funniest thing ever when they got back. He asked if they did it right, my dad said yes, and Baby Einstein said, "I don't know about you guys, but I sure hope those sheep don't come over here and mock us." (I have no idea!)

Third, they learn to care about the animals. You put a kid on a horse and let them ride around, and there will be an instant bond. The same when you let a kid hold a puppy or let them name baby lambs. They want to help take care of these animals and they will ask about them YEARS later.

It's always nice to take a step back and look at your way of life through the fresh eyes of a child. After doing that this weekend, I sure did like what I saw!

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