I suppose that 20 years of friendship does that to people.
So find your people---the ones who make you think and make you laugh and protect you and remember the little details---and then hang on like crazy.
Showing posts with label Teacher Friend. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Teacher Friend. Show all posts
Friday, March 21, 2014
Old Friends
This week, I got to catch up with two of my oldest friends.
They immediately laugh when we talk about broken noses, because they remember mine. They know why it is ironic that I am really good with directions now (the teacher literally posted the directions on the wall when I was in 5th grade because I could NOT get it). They can get through half a sentence, nod, and not finish, yet I know exactly what they are thinking. We reminisce about the time she chased her twin brother with a butcher knife and the time that I caught his ex girlfriend going through his drawers and kicked her out. Truth be told, these two probably know me better than I know myself.
I suppose that 20 years of friendship does that to people.
So find your people---the ones who make you think and make you laugh and protect you and remember the little details---and then hang on like crazy.
I suppose that 20 years of friendship does that to people.
So find your people---the ones who make you think and make you laugh and protect you and remember the little details---and then hang on like crazy.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Photos of the Week: Week 42
Before we get to the photos, I have to give you guys some exciting updates.
First, remember my blog oh, 9 months ago, about the miracle baby that Teacher Friend and her husband were expecting? Well I'm happy to announce that the baby is here! Miracle Baby was born on Sunday afternoon and....drumroll please....it's a GIRL. Everyone is doing great. I can't think of a better example of the fruits of faith than this baby. On days when you are tired and frustrated and feel forgotten or like your answers may never come....know that God is faithful. And sometimes, that means sending little miracles our way! Oh, and rest assured that Aunt Tiffany has already sent a tutu. Hot pink, no less. :)
Second, #3, baby! That's right---my Cowboys are now ranked third in the nation! GO POKES! I can't wait to cheer you on in person this weekend against Baylor! (P.S. --Justin Blackmon is a scary looking dude!)
Third, one of the calves that we raised is for sale in an online club calf sale (meaning that 4-H and FFA kiddos will buy him and show him at the fair....if you didn't read my blog about the benefits of that activity, please click here!). If you want to check him out for yourself, just click here and scroll down to #124.
Okay, and now back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Theme: Texture (Quotography)
I actually took this picture a while back when I was home and forgot to download it onto my computer. I thought that the old wooden fence was perfect for "texture." I also loved the blue sky and big fluffy clouds. I thought this quote fit it pretty darn well. I blame my Gran for my love of old wooden fences...they were her favorite and when we were kids, she took lots of pictures of us climbing on this fence. See the other entries at My Perspective.
Theme: Gold (Project 64)
Okay.....I had to cheat a little big on this one. I tried to think of something gold to photograph this week, and when I was thinking about gold, I kept going back to the dome at Notre Dame. So back to the archives I went. I can't believe it's been almost a year since my amazing trip. I did a little fun editing and used this shot. I'm telling you guys, if you ever have a chance to visit the campus in South Bend...go. You won't regret it. To see the other gold photos, click here!Theme: Show Off Your Shot
I took this picture the same day as the wooden fence one above and it, too, was lost on the camera. So even though I didn't shoot it this week, I did find it this week, so I figured it counted. Love the blue sky! To see the other entries, go to "And Then She Snapped" on Wednesday!Theme: Foliage
No, sadly I wasn't back in Chicago last weekend. This baby is from the archives from last November too. I love this picture of "The Bean" which is really named Cloudgate (see the clouds reflecting?) in Millenium Park. Note the beautiful yellow leaves.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
3 Years
“You can shed tears that he is gone, or you can smile because he has lived." ~David Harkins
Three years ago today, First Valentine went to Heaven. I still remember getting the phone call from Teacher Friend. I was walking across the living room of my apartment and I literally fell ot the floor that Sunday night. I had just seen him two days before. And I had bought cookies to take to him in the hospital on my way to law school the next day. But that day...that opportunity...never came.
Today, instead of remembering the sad, I wanted to remember the happy and the funny and the silly stories about First Valentine. He'd like that better anyway. So Teacher Friend, The Cheerleader and I got together to do some reminessing!
1. Teacher Friend had a twin brother. One day in elementary scohol, we were all sitting around talking about where we were born. First Valentine said Oakland. I said Albuquerque. Teacher Friend said Amarillo. First Valentine looked at Teacher Friend's brother and said, "What about you?" The brother looked at him like he was stupid and said, "Phoenix." First Valentine said cool. He never clicked...nor did he ever live it down.
2. In 6th grade, all of the boys, The Cheerleader and I got sent to the Superintendent's office. Twice. Once for playing tackle football and hurting Teacher Friend's twin brother. And once for playing too rought on the buck-a-bounce and hurting Teacher Friend's twin brother. On the way to the office the second time, First Valentine threatened to beat him up if he got hurt again. Ha!
3. He had this ridiculous inability to say the word "magazine." Instead, he said the "g" sound, like a "j" sound. It drove me crazy. I am about 90% sure that he did it on purpose.
4. First Valentine always picked me as the first girl when choosing teams. Sometimes, like in kickball, this wasn't that much of a gesture because, well I'm just going to say it, I was really, really awesome at kickball. But sometimes, it was making a pretty big sacrifice. Like in swimming relays. The Cheerleader was far and away the best swimmer. But if First Valentine was picking teams, I got chosen first. And we probably got beat. Sorry about that, buddy!
5. One day First Valentine and Teacher Friend's brother went swimming in the stock tank at their house. They didn't have any swimming trunks, so they just went in their underwear. Apparently they got worried that they might get in trouble for swimming, so they didn't want any evidence. Apparently they buried their underwear somewhere near the tank and went commando the rest of the day.
6. In second grade, First Valentine and Teacher Friend got in trouble. Another boy wrote Teacher Friend a note that said, "I love you, I love you, I love you" and they wrote back, "I hate you, I hate you, I hate you." They had to write sentences as punishment. I don't think "I hate you" was the sentence they were assigned!
7. One day, First Valentine, The Cheerleader, another boy and I all got in trouble for something in Mrs. Graham's class....probably passing notes. If not, we should have gotten in trouble for that. Our punishment lasted about 5 minutes until she realized that she left something at her house and sent the four of us to go get it. I think times were different then....what teacher sends 2 boys and 2 girls to her house during the middle of school?
8. In high school, First Valentine convinced The Cheerleader to try chewing tobacco for the first time at baseball practice. He was a bad influence.....she threw up on the field!
9. Once in high school, First Valentine took me to a football game in a town about an hour or so away. He was driving the shiny red camero that he loved. I mean...LOVED....like pulled out some sort of cleaning rag to wipe it down after we got off my dirt road and back on the highway. Well, somehow, I convinced him to let me drive it part of the way home that night. I have never seen someone that nervous in a car (and if you know my mom, that's saying alot!) and I finally just pulled over and told him to drive because he was killing my fun.
10. You already heard about how he saved me from failing Home Ec in the 8th grade. (If you missed that prior blog--go read it. It's a good one.) This explains why I had gone out and bought cookies to take to the hospital, rather than making them myself. He knew me too well for that.
Anyway, now you know First Valentine a little too. And now you know why August 31 is such a hard day for his family and friends every year. Please keep his family in your prayers today.
Today, instead of remembering the sad, I wanted to remember the happy and the funny and the silly stories about First Valentine. He'd like that better anyway. So Teacher Friend, The Cheerleader and I got together to do some reminessing!
1. Teacher Friend had a twin brother. One day in elementary scohol, we were all sitting around talking about where we were born. First Valentine said Oakland. I said Albuquerque. Teacher Friend said Amarillo. First Valentine looked at Teacher Friend's brother and said, "What about you?" The brother looked at him like he was stupid and said, "Phoenix." First Valentine said cool. He never clicked...nor did he ever live it down.
2. In 6th grade, all of the boys, The Cheerleader and I got sent to the Superintendent's office. Twice. Once for playing tackle football and hurting Teacher Friend's twin brother. And once for playing too rought on the buck-a-bounce and hurting Teacher Friend's twin brother. On the way to the office the second time, First Valentine threatened to beat him up if he got hurt again. Ha!
3. He had this ridiculous inability to say the word "magazine." Instead, he said the "g" sound, like a "j" sound. It drove me crazy. I am about 90% sure that he did it on purpose.
4. First Valentine always picked me as the first girl when choosing teams. Sometimes, like in kickball, this wasn't that much of a gesture because, well I'm just going to say it, I was really, really awesome at kickball. But sometimes, it was making a pretty big sacrifice. Like in swimming relays. The Cheerleader was far and away the best swimmer. But if First Valentine was picking teams, I got chosen first. And we probably got beat. Sorry about that, buddy!
5. One day First Valentine and Teacher Friend's brother went swimming in the stock tank at their house. They didn't have any swimming trunks, so they just went in their underwear. Apparently they got worried that they might get in trouble for swimming, so they didn't want any evidence. Apparently they buried their underwear somewhere near the tank and went commando the rest of the day.
6. In second grade, First Valentine and Teacher Friend got in trouble. Another boy wrote Teacher Friend a note that said, "I love you, I love you, I love you" and they wrote back, "I hate you, I hate you, I hate you." They had to write sentences as punishment. I don't think "I hate you" was the sentence they were assigned!
7. One day, First Valentine, The Cheerleader, another boy and I all got in trouble for something in Mrs. Graham's class....probably passing notes. If not, we should have gotten in trouble for that. Our punishment lasted about 5 minutes until she realized that she left something at her house and sent the four of us to go get it. I think times were different then....what teacher sends 2 boys and 2 girls to her house during the middle of school?
8. In high school, First Valentine convinced The Cheerleader to try chewing tobacco for the first time at baseball practice. He was a bad influence.....she threw up on the field!
9. Once in high school, First Valentine took me to a football game in a town about an hour or so away. He was driving the shiny red camero that he loved. I mean...LOVED....like pulled out some sort of cleaning rag to wipe it down after we got off my dirt road and back on the highway. Well, somehow, I convinced him to let me drive it part of the way home that night. I have never seen someone that nervous in a car (and if you know my mom, that's saying alot!) and I finally just pulled over and told him to drive because he was killing my fun.
10. You already heard about how he saved me from failing Home Ec in the 8th grade. (If you missed that prior blog--go read it. It's a good one.) This explains why I had gone out and bought cookies to take to the hospital, rather than making them myself. He knew me too well for that.
Anyway, now you know First Valentine a little too. And now you know why August 31 is such a hard day for his family and friends every year. Please keep his family in your prayers today.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Throwback Thursday #55: Some Days You Gotta Dance....
"You don't need an invitation to your own life." ~Parenthood
First off, don't tell Little Brother that I titled a blog after a Dixie Chicks song. He's not a fan and I don't want to hear that lecture again.
Second, this post started out as this deep thought I had about living life, but honestly, it turned into a throwback to some awesome wedding receptions I've attended. Prepare for picture overload, which will probably kill the point I'm trying to make. But they're funny pictures, so whatev.
And now...to the point. I recently read a great blog about how a girl was at a wedding reception and she noticed that there were some people who were up dancing and having a ball, and others who were sitting at the tables surrounding the dance floor just watching. She said that she realized she needed to live her life dancing.
I love this entire idea. I mean, I am a girl who LOVES a good wedding reception.
I'm talking the ones where everyone just dances and dances even if they look like total idiots and no one cares because everyone is having fun.
Second, this post started out as this deep thought I had about living life, but honestly, it turned into a throwback to some awesome wedding receptions I've attended. Prepare for picture overload, which will probably kill the point I'm trying to make. But they're funny pictures, so whatev.
And now...to the point. I recently read a great blog about how a girl was at a wedding reception and she noticed that there were some people who were up dancing and having a ball, and others who were sitting at the tables surrounding the dance floor just watching. She said that she realized she needed to live her life dancing.
I love this entire idea. I mean, I am a girl who LOVES a good wedding reception.
I'm talking the ones where everyone just dances and dances even if they look like total idiots and no one cares because everyone is having fun.
The ones where the wedding party practices for weeks to get the choreographed dance down. (Oh yes we did!)
The ones where you end up with pictures that are beyond awesome, and make no sense whatsoever!
{White girl cannot dance, but what in the WORLD was the move I rocked out below? Stick with the swim, Tiffany. Stick with the swim.}
The ones where some random guy (usually my date, dad and/or brother) becomes the center of attention and life of the party.{Date}
{Dad}
{Brother}
The ones where you end up partying with the band on the bus in your wedding attire afterwards.
The ones where you leave exhausted and sweaty and a little sore, but wish you could do it all again tomorrow!
And I love the idea of translating this over into real life. What if we lived our lives every day the way we do a good wedding reception? If we just got out there and danced.....not worrying about what other people thought, not worrying about what all we are supposed to be doing, not worrying about how we looked.....just getting out there and living it up. I don't know about you guys, but I don't do this enough. It's time to change that.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
This One's For The Girls
“Nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend.” ~Plautus
I was talking to a friend of mine this week and she made the comment that she didn't have very many girl friends. This really got me thinking. My first instinct was to think "me too." I have always been better friends with boys. It's not that I didn't have girl friends growing up because I did, but as far as really good, hang out all the time, talk every day, trust them with your life kind of friends.....I had always trended toward boys.
Even now, I would probably say I have more guy friends. And the guy friends in my life are great. I mean seriously, I love them to death. They have awesome compliments for me, given me places to stay, managed not to kill me in a canoeing incident, taught me to give real hugs, always been there with awesome advice and ice cream when needed, use football analogies to help me understand life....you get the idea.
However, there are just some things girls are better for. BFF and Flintstone really do their best to help me with clothing issues, but do you think they actually know what they are talking about? No. I go to BFF and Cousin Kevin with guy drama.....and while I know they both love me, neither one has a sympathetic bone in his body. Nomad is awesome to talk about politics and religion and books with, but he doesn't know anything about hairstyles or nail polish. Brett-Brett and I talk most days, but he's so freaking random and crazy that having a serious conversation about something is probably next to impossible. You get the point.....these boys are great, but sometimes, a girl needs girls!
What I realized from her comment, is that I have been SO blessed to find my group of girl friends who have broken my trend. I now have these girls in my life who fall right into that category of really good friends. And as much as I love my boys, and I do, I know that I would be lost without my girls as well!
When you find the right girl friends, you will have people in your life who love you and who support you, who have your back no matter what, and who would give their right arm and first born to see you happy. If the girl doesn't fit in that category, don't waste your time. I've been lucky enough to find these girls in my life.
Girls who will always have a "If he doesn't like you, he must be gay." or a "Your ex's new (or old) girlfriend looks like a horse." in their back pocket. 
Girls who you can analyze boys with for hours one end one day, and then call them up just to be reminded that said guys are still jerks, lest they seem nice and you forget. Girls who make any random situation the best time of your life and can make you laugh so hard your drink comes out of your nose.
Girls who understand you, even when you don't feel like you understand yourself. 
Girls who inspire you with their lasting faith and amazing strength even in difficult times. 
Girls who make you want to be a better person just because of their kind hearts and love toward other people. 
Girls who motivate you to do things you never thought you would be able to by the amazing things that they do. 
Girls who show you how to manage life and love and friendship and still have time to send you homeade gifts in the mail.
Girls who you can analyze boys with for hours one end one day, and then call them up just to be reminded that said guys are still jerks, lest they seem nice and you forget. Girls who make any random situation the best time of your life and can make you laugh so hard your drink comes out of your nose. Girls who understand you, even when you don't feel like you understand yourself. Girls who inspire you with their lasting faith and amazing strength even in difficult times. Girls who make you want to be a better person just because of their kind hearts and love toward other people. Girls who motivate you to do things you never thought you would be able to by the amazing things that they do. Girls who show you how to manage life and love and friendship and still have time to send you homeade gifts in the mail.
It's hard to find them......sometimes it takes years to meet them. Sometimes, it takes years to realize that they have been there all along. And they may not be who you'd expect--sometimes, they will seem like your long lost twin, while other times, you'll be completely opposites. But I'm here to tell you, it's worth it. When you find them, you'll end up finding yourself.
So....today I'm thanking my girl friends. I love all of you so much and thank you for helping me find the person who I want to be. I would not be the person I am without each of you in my life.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Meet the Cast Monday #6: Teacher Friend
I am so excited to introduce you to one of my oldest friends today! You've met college friends and law school friends and a couple of family members already in this little Meet the Cast Monday project, but there is something really special about a childhood friend!
Teacher Friend and I literally grew up together--we've been friends since the 4th grade. (I am including photos to prove this....let's hope that our friendship doesn't end once she sees them!) She knows who I was and where I'm from, and I think that having friends who understand those parts of you is really important. We've been through good and bad and funny and funny now, but not funny then. :) Anyway, Teacher Friend lives with her husband in Texas where she teaches high school science. Oh, and she's the biggest Packers fan that you'll ever meet....so needless to say, she is in a good mood this morning!
Have to be when we dated those Grady boys and went on some crazy double dates. They were so much fun and I think we laughed pretty much the entire time we were together. I still remember the parking lot at Grady-did he kiss you? NO! Did he kiss you? NO! haha! {There was significant analysis about this the entire drive home! :)}
You've been through a lot in your life, but you have remained strong in your faith. How have you done that?
Day by day-I mean when you look at something that seems so steep and hard to climb, you just put one foot in front of the other and eventually you get to the top. It has been a struggle, of course there have been times where I was like 'Why me?' and I have had my fair share of pity parties, but in the end I remember that God loves ME and put me here for a purpose. Everything I go through will help me reach out to other struggling people, and that keeps me going. Plus, if I didn't believe God and trust in Him, there wouldn't be ANY hope, and I just can't bear to think that. {For real, she's amazing!}
You are a killer fantasy football champion.....tell us a few of your secrets!
Overanalyzing is the major player in losing seasons-the years that I have printed stats and really studied were the years I failed! When I go in there and do my homework, but not to an obsessive extent is when I do best-I just go with my gut. Of course, I have a key rule that I ALWAYS draft by no matter what: NO vikings, NO bears, NO cowboys. That has served me very well. Also, find a sleeper-you usually get a great player really cheap! My sleeper this year was McFadden and he was awesome.
Your wedding was one of the most fun and of all of them that I've been to, I think it might have been the most "you." What was your favorite part?
I think walking the horses down with my dad. We were supposed to ride in, but I'm sure you remember I got bucked off! Instead we decided to walk them in before we got to the aisle and I love those pictures. It really summed up what we are-plus I got to wear my cowboy boots!
{Please let me share this from a bridesmaid's perspective....we knew she was supposed to ride, but she was walking and she looked kind of shaken up, so we're quietly whispering to each other standing in front of everyone. Then her mom sits down and whispers something to her grandma. Well, grandma basically screams, "WHAT?? She got bucked off??" so that everyone there knew. I still remember looking at her with this "OMG are you okay" glance and her nodding like everything was just perfect. The first thing she says to me after the wedding? "Good thing we took that shot beforehand. It really calmed my nerves." Ha!}
What was your favorite part of college at Colorado State?
Working at the Meat Lab-that was the place to be and everyone knew who worked there. I learned a whole new side of an agriculture industry that I have always been part of. I really enjoyed learning the cuts and actually knowing how different products are processed. Plus, I did meet my husband who was my boss at the meat lab! Another great part was meeting my awesome roommate, Danica! She is great and we are still great friends-she is getting married soon and I am in the wedding! So excited for her!
Teacher Friend and I literally grew up together--we've been friends since the 4th grade. (I am including photos to prove this....let's hope that our friendship doesn't end once she sees them!) She knows who I was and where I'm from, and I think that having friends who understand those parts of you is really important. We've been through good and bad and funny and funny now, but not funny then. :) Anyway, Teacher Friend lives with her husband in Texas where she teaches high school science. Oh, and she's the biggest Packers fan that you'll ever meet....so needless to say, she is in a good mood this morning!
So....with that, this is Teacher Friend!
We've been friends for a long time....since we were 9 years old.....what is your favorite memory with me?Have to be when we dated those Grady boys and went on some crazy double dates. They were so much fun and I think we laughed pretty much the entire time we were together. I still remember the parking lot at Grady-did he kiss you? NO! Did he kiss you? NO! haha! {There was significant analysis about this the entire drive home! :)}
You've been through a lot in your life, but you have remained strong in your faith. How have you done that?Day by day-I mean when you look at something that seems so steep and hard to climb, you just put one foot in front of the other and eventually you get to the top. It has been a struggle, of course there have been times where I was like 'Why me?' and I have had my fair share of pity parties, but in the end I remember that God loves ME and put me here for a purpose. Everything I go through will help me reach out to other struggling people, and that keeps me going. Plus, if I didn't believe God and trust in Him, there wouldn't be ANY hope, and I just can't bear to think that. {For real, she's amazing!}
You are a killer fantasy football champion.....tell us a few of your secrets!Overanalyzing is the major player in losing seasons-the years that I have printed stats and really studied were the years I failed! When I go in there and do my homework, but not to an obsessive extent is when I do best-I just go with my gut. Of course, I have a key rule that I ALWAYS draft by no matter what: NO vikings, NO bears, NO cowboys. That has served me very well. Also, find a sleeper-you usually get a great player really cheap! My sleeper this year was McFadden and he was awesome.
Your wedding was one of the most fun and of all of them that I've been to, I think it might have been the most "you." What was your favorite part?I think walking the horses down with my dad. We were supposed to ride in, but I'm sure you remember I got bucked off! Instead we decided to walk them in before we got to the aisle and I love those pictures. It really summed up what we are-plus I got to wear my cowboy boots!
{Please let me share this from a bridesmaid's perspective....we knew she was supposed to ride, but she was walking and she looked kind of shaken up, so we're quietly whispering to each other standing in front of everyone. Then her mom sits down and whispers something to her grandma. Well, grandma basically screams, "WHAT?? She got bucked off??" so that everyone there knew. I still remember looking at her with this "OMG are you okay" glance and her nodding like everything was just perfect. The first thing she says to me after the wedding? "Good thing we took that shot beforehand. It really calmed my nerves." Ha!}What was your favorite part of college at Colorado State?Working at the Meat Lab-that was the place to be and everyone knew who worked there. I learned a whole new side of an agriculture industry that I have always been part of. I really enjoyed learning the cuts and actually knowing how different products are processed. Plus, I did meet my husband who was my boss at the meat lab! Another great part was meeting my awesome roommate, Danica! She is great and we are still great friends-she is getting married soon and I am in the wedding! So excited for her!
Tell us about living in NYC for a summer. What were the best and worst parts?
NYC-everytime I see a famous landmark, I think I am SO glad I am not there anymore! I am so grateful for the experience and all the people I met, but that is a huge city for a small town country girl! I enjoyed the Broadway shows-I saw The Producers by Mel Brooks-which was hilarious and then when you (Tiff) and Whitney came up we all saw Phantom of the Opera. It was amazing. I really want to go back to see the show about Vince Lombardi's life. Maybe we will just have to do that! {I don't know if by "we" you mean me and you "we" or you and your husband "we" but I'm offically inviting myself to come!!} The worst part was there was not a single country station! I had to have Eddie send CD's so I could hear George. It was neat to experience, but scary just because of the crime rate. That really kept me in when I should have been going out and seeing the sites. While I was there, I had a strange allergic reaction though where my eyes were so swollen I couldn't see and that was scary. It only happened a couple of times, but I think it was my body telling me that we needed to get out of there fast and back to the ranch.
NYC-everytime I see a famous landmark, I think I am SO glad I am not there anymore! I am so grateful for the experience and all the people I met, but that is a huge city for a small town country girl! I enjoyed the Broadway shows-I saw The Producers by Mel Brooks-which was hilarious and then when you (Tiff) and Whitney came up we all saw Phantom of the Opera. It was amazing. I really want to go back to see the show about Vince Lombardi's life. Maybe we will just have to do that! {I don't know if by "we" you mean me and you "we" or you and your husband "we" but I'm offically inviting myself to come!!} The worst part was there was not a single country station! I had to have Eddie send CD's so I could hear George. It was neat to experience, but scary just because of the crime rate. That really kept me in when I should have been going out and seeing the sites. While I was there, I had a strange allergic reaction though where my eyes were so swollen I couldn't see and that was scary. It only happened a couple of times, but I think it was my body telling me that we needed to get out of there fast and back to the ranch.
What was your favorite part of growing up on a family ranch?
That is a tough question-the ranch is part of me in everyway. I am so grateful for the lessons it taught me and how it shaped me into a better person. I know all about troubleshooting and making something work with what you have, a hard days work, chores coming before fun (thought they were fun in their own respect), respecting animals and enjoying them (on the table too!). I think the hardest part is being away from it because it doesn't bring in enough capital to support our family, so just dad lives there.
What was the best part of growing up in a small town?
No traffic, wide open spaces, friendships and close knit ties. There is just something to say about growing up in a small town!
What is one (or more) item(s) on your bucket list?
I have never really thought about this-I guess I really want to go back to Lambeau and see us play a division game-maybe even the Bears in 20 below, snowing, beer freezing weather. Go see Ireland, I just think that would be a fun experience.
That is a tough question-the ranch is part of me in everyway. I am so grateful for the lessons it taught me and how it shaped me into a better person. I know all about troubleshooting and making something work with what you have, a hard days work, chores coming before fun (thought they were fun in their own respect), respecting animals and enjoying them (on the table too!). I think the hardest part is being away from it because it doesn't bring in enough capital to support our family, so just dad lives there.
What was the best part of growing up in a small town?
No traffic, wide open spaces, friendships and close knit ties. There is just something to say about growing up in a small town!
What is one (or more) item(s) on your bucket list?
I have never really thought about this-I guess I really want to go back to Lambeau and see us play a division game-maybe even the Bears in 20 below, snowing, beer freezing weather. Go see Ireland, I just think that would be a fun experience.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Throwback Thursday #44: A Decade
"The days are long, but the years are short." ~Gretchen Ruben
Sometimes I'm oblivious to obvious things. Okay, a lot of the time. :) But until I returned from our family ski trip on January 2 (blog on that coming soon!) and read another person's blog, I didnt' realize that January 1, 2011 marked not only the beginning of a new year, but also the beginning of a new decade.
As I thought back on the 10 years that were 2000 - 2010, I realized that this time frame will likely be the time where the greatest number of changes occurred in my life. Don't get me wrong here---I think that I still have some pretty great days ahead of me (so keep reading the blog). But the sheer volume of changes that occurs between the time a person is 17 and 27 is unbelieveable. With that, I'd like to take a little Throwback to some of the important things that occurred in the last decade!
2000: My team won the State FFA Dairy Judging contest and were Reserve National Champions, I won my first Grand Champion Lamb banner at the county fair, learned that sometimes "friends"will stab you right in the back.
2001: Thought Mr. F was crazy for making us judge poultry, won my second Grand Champion Lamb banner (and watched Gran almost get into a fight with another grandmother in the process), won State Star Farmer, enjoyed my senior year of high school. 
2002: Played in the state basketball tournament, went on a great senior trip to Dallas, graduated high school, started college at Dodge City Community College, met two amazing, important friends (The Crazy Canadian and Flintstone), placed in the top 10 at my first 5 college judging contests, learned that sometimes life doesn't work out like you had it planned. (Sidenote: I tried to find a picture of graduation, but digital cameras didn't exist yet, so this is the only picutre of my last semester of high school I could find....I'm sure The Bride loves getting included!)
2003: Left junior college and headed to OSU, moved in with College Roomie having no idea I was making a best friend in the process, began what would be 3 of the best years of my entire life, loved my student tickets to OSU football, met SoulMate Friend in a very round about way.
2004: Lost my Gran in June and three close family friends on back-to-back days in October/November, changed majors to Agriculture Business, joined the Pre-Law Club at Oklahoma State, watched OSU make it to the Final Four.
2006: Enjoyed my last semester of college at OSU to the fullest, took a Spring Break trip to the east coast with College Roomie and Cousin Whitney, had a Calf Fry Weekend that could only be described as epic (HOW have I not blogged abou this??), graduated from OSU, got mono and thyriod disease over the summer, took an amazing trip to New York City to see Teacher Friend, started law school.
2007: Went on a fantastic cruise, worked my first summer of law school at my current law firm, survived a broken heart, applied on a long shot and somehow got a job offer with a great law firm in San Francisco for the folowing summer.
2008: Welcomed College Roomie home from a year in China, had the time of my life working as a summer law clerk in San Francisco, had an amazing girl's weekend with the Cashmere Mafia, made the stressful decision of which job (and life) I would take out of law school. 
2009: Bought my first house, graduated from law school, studied for the bar, took the bar, escaped to Europe for a much-needed post-bar relaxation with Cousin Swiss Mister and Cousin Whitney, started my first job, was a pall bearer for one of my favorite people in the world.
2010: Continued to travel around to visit friends all over the country (lots of weddings and babies), ran 7.5 miles at Bay to Breakers, celebrated 100 years of owning my family's homestead ranch, survived my 1 year review at work, took in a football game at Notre Dame while getting to reconnect with and see great friends before and at the game!
Clearly I've seen a lot of changes in the last decade---some good, some bad. These last 10 years have made me into the person that I am (and hopefully into the person that I'm meant to be). I'm excited to embark on a new decade and see where life takes me next!
Sometimes I'm oblivious to obvious things. Okay, a lot of the time. :) But until I returned from our family ski trip on January 2 (blog on that coming soon!) and read another person's blog, I didnt' realize that January 1, 2011 marked not only the beginning of a new year, but also the beginning of a new decade.
As I thought back on the 10 years that were 2000 - 2010, I realized that this time frame will likely be the time where the greatest number of changes occurred in my life. Don't get me wrong here---I think that I still have some pretty great days ahead of me (so keep reading the blog). But the sheer volume of changes that occurs between the time a person is 17 and 27 is unbelieveable. With that, I'd like to take a little Throwback to some of the important things that occurred in the last decade!
2000: My team won the State FFA Dairy Judging contest and were Reserve National Champions, I won my first Grand Champion Lamb banner at the county fair, learned that sometimes "friends"will stab you right in the back.
2001: Thought Mr. F was crazy for making us judge poultry, won my second Grand Champion Lamb banner (and watched Gran almost get into a fight with another grandmother in the process), won State Star Farmer, enjoyed my senior year of high school. 2002: Played in the state basketball tournament, went on a great senior trip to Dallas, graduated high school, started college at Dodge City Community College, met two amazing, important friends (The Crazy Canadian and Flintstone), placed in the top 10 at my first 5 college judging contests, learned that sometimes life doesn't work out like you had it planned. (Sidenote: I tried to find a picture of graduation, but digital cameras didn't exist yet, so this is the only picutre of my last semester of high school I could find....I'm sure The Bride loves getting included!)2003: Left junior college and headed to OSU, moved in with College Roomie having no idea I was making a best friend in the process, began what would be 3 of the best years of my entire life, loved my student tickets to OSU football, met SoulMate Friend in a very round about way. 2004: Lost my Gran in June and three close family friends on back-to-back days in October/November, changed majors to Agriculture Business, joined the Pre-Law Club at Oklahoma State, watched OSU make it to the Final Four. 2005: Took the LSAT, applied to and was accepted to law schools, managed to survive calculus with my GPA still in tact, went on my first real vacation and fell in love with San Francisco!
2006: Enjoyed my last semester of college at OSU to the fullest, took a Spring Break trip to the east coast with College Roomie and Cousin Whitney, had a Calf Fry Weekend that could only be described as epic (HOW have I not blogged abou this??), graduated from OSU, got mono and thyriod disease over the summer, took an amazing trip to New York City to see Teacher Friend, started law school.2007: Went on a fantastic cruise, worked my first summer of law school at my current law firm, survived a broken heart, applied on a long shot and somehow got a job offer with a great law firm in San Francisco for the folowing summer.2008: Welcomed College Roomie home from a year in China, had the time of my life working as a summer law clerk in San Francisco, had an amazing girl's weekend with the Cashmere Mafia, made the stressful decision of which job (and life) I would take out of law school. 2009: Bought my first house, graduated from law school, studied for the bar, took the bar, escaped to Europe for a much-needed post-bar relaxation with Cousin Swiss Mister and Cousin Whitney, started my first job, was a pall bearer for one of my favorite people in the world.2010: Continued to travel around to visit friends all over the country (lots of weddings and babies), ran 7.5 miles at Bay to Breakers, celebrated 100 years of owning my family's homestead ranch, survived my 1 year review at work, took in a football game at Notre Dame while getting to reconnect with and see great friends before and at the game!Clearly I've seen a lot of changes in the last decade---some good, some bad. These last 10 years have made me into the person that I am (and hopefully into the person that I'm meant to be). I'm excited to embark on a new decade and see where life takes me next!
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