Live Orange!

“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.” ~ Bill Shankley



Okay, I feel that I'm a bad blogger and a bad fan. I realized that my life has been so busy and I have had so much good stuff to blog about that I haven't done a good ol' college football rant. Well, after last Thursday's game, that's going to change.

In case you missed it, my Pokes beat Texas A&M by a field goal with 2 seconds left on the clock.

It was a slow start to the game, to say the least. I won't go into detal and dwell on that....but let's just say there were several interceptions and I ended up getting so angry on the treadmill at the gym and slammed it with my fist, screamed at the tv, and scared the poor teenage boy next to me.

Hey, football is serious business!! And not just for me. For example, the Blonde Oklahoma Girl called me and said that she had been jumping up and down on her couch at one point during the game. The Loud Oklahoma Girl was letting four letter words fly left and right. SoulMate Friend reported laying face down in the middle of her livingroom floor while we were kicking the winning field goal. It takes dedication to be an OSU fan!

Anyway, I don't know what Mike Gundy had to say at half time, but he turned us around. We looked like a football team again in the second half and got away with the win. 4-0 start and 1-0 in the Big 12. And we've cracked the Top 25. Bring it on!

In honor of the Cowboys, I wore my OSU outfit to work on Friday to celebrate the win.

I was orange to the core, and to the toes. As they say, Cowboys live orange!

Anyway, just had to take a day to brag on my boys. I'll be headed to Stillwater in just a few short weeks for HOMECOMING....can't wait to watch them play live! You can bet there will be lots of screaming, jumping and cursing at that game too! Go Pokes!

P.S.--Don't forget to sign up for my first giveaway! Click here!

The Crazy Canadian, Goals and a Give-away!

“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.” ~Gail Devers

I think that a lot of people have a common theme in our lives. We think of these lofty goals that we would love to achieve, but then we never really follow up to do anything about them. I know that I'm guilty of that to an extent.

But my friend Crazy Canadian is not like most people.

She set a goal of writing a book several years ago, back while we were still in college. And it wasn't just the writing a book that she wanted to do, but to write a book, get it published, and then sell the book. Well, last week, the dream came true. Crazy Canadian's first book, Live An Amazing Life has been written, is being published, and is for sale. She set a goal, worked towards it step by step, and made her dream come true. And we should all pay attention!
I realize that not everyone wants to write a book. Heck, I know a few people who don't even want to read a book. But regardless, I think that we can all take something from Crazy Canadian. When we have dreams and set goals, even ones that may seem unreachable, good things happen. If we set our goals, and then take things one step at a time to achieve them, we can eventually reach our goals. Live an Amazing Life is proof of that! I could not be more proud of my friend making her dream come true!

And....here is where the last part of the blog title will start to make sense....Crazy Canadian has offered to let me give away a copy of the book to one of my blog readers! This is my first ever give-away on the blog, so I'm very excited.

Here's the scoop for the drawing......

You can enter in one of two ways....but you must do so by Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 9:00 pm MST.

First, you can become a follower of my blog (click on FOLLOW) over on the right, or read a former post for detailed instructions.

Second, you can comment on this post telling me what YOUR goal or dream is that you are working towards.

Anyone who does either of these things between now and next Tuesday (October 12) will be automatically entered.

If you become a follower AND leave a comment and I'll enter you twice!

Keep reading the blog.....the winner will be announced on Wednesday, October 13!

September Updates

"Live in the present and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering." ~Ida Scott Taylor

Is it just me, or did September fly by? How is it already October?? Anyway, here are a few updates on stories that you may have enjoyed.

More of the newest Mr. and Mrs. Animal House's Big Day.

I promised more pictures last time, so here we go!

And you have to watch the video....they're just adorable. The Mrs. is officially in charge of planning my wedding one day.

And now for the wedding bloopers. Sadly, the best blooper didn't make the video (the videographer should really be ashamed of himself!) Anyway, they are saying their vows. Mr. Animal House goes first. Then it is Mrs. Animal House's turn. The priest says, "Mrs. Animal House, reapeat after me. Brian, I love you because I do." Now, because you don't know Mr. Animal House's first name (unless you watched the video...) you don't realize why this is funny. Suffice it to say, it's not Brian. And, because it was Mr. Animal House, he doesn't just let it go...he leans over and very calmly says, "Um....I'm [insert his actual name.]" Everyone in the church about died laughing.

Second blooper was the bus. All of us out of towners hopped the bus out to the wedding. Very convenient an safe considering the open bar that was ahead. But the poor driver managed to high center (is it called that when it's the back instead of the center of the bus??) the bus at the cemetery next to the church. Yea. Everyone had to catch rides with random people to get to the reception. Classic.

State Fair Report

I don't think that I ever did a blog about how the sheep show went for my family at the State Fair. I got terribly sick that week, so forgive me! You'll remember back in April we had our annual show lamb sale. Well, things turned out pretty well!

First, in the show only for lambs born in this state, we had a class and division winner! Say hello to the champ himself, "JB." (Excuse my dad who looks like he's taking a mug shot!)
In the regular show, we also had a class winner in the crosses, but the picture of that lamb has not arrived yet. Stay tuned for another upate to come.

The Ring.

You might remember a while back I blogged about our Family Centennial celebration. One of the topics I covered was the ring that I remembered seeing when I was 9 years old and got to see again while I was in town. I discovered a picture and felt the need to share so that everyone understands just why I remembered this ring for almost 15 years! It would be the huge rock on her right hand.
Quote of the Month:
This month, we have two winners. They are (not surprisingly) the Okahoma Girls.
First, the Blonde Oklahoma Girl and I were discussing boys. In particular, we were discussing this recent situation we keep seeing where they are into way younger girls, and ignore the fact that a great girl their own age is right under their nose. And, I'll probably get in trouble for telling on him....but I guess we'll see if he actually reads the blog. Cousin Swiss Mister was one of the worst examples. He wrote something in an email along the lines of "Girl #1 is Norwegian. She's smart and a PhD and she is really nice and cooks dinner for me and has a good head on her shoulders. But Girl #2 is a young, hot Spanish babysitter." (Note: Country names have been changed to protect the innocent). Needless to say, we were not impressed. The Blonde Oklahoma Girl's analysis: "He is being an ass in every language!" Well said!

Second, Loud Oklahoma Girl and I were also complaining about boys. Does anyone notice a pattern here?? Anyway, I emailed her an said that I was going to become a nun tomorrow because I was sick of boys and all that jazz. Her response: "Please wait to order your habit until after I come down and see you. We have a lot of drinking to do for your birthday!" Hard to argue with that logic.

The End of My Mid-Twenties

"The years teach much which the days never knew." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Okay.....sorry to fail on Family Farm Friday again, but I needed to post this today so that the timing is right. I'll be back with something about cattle and horses and sheep (oh my!) next week.

Today I begin my last month of being in my "mid-twenties." As of November 1, I will officially be moving into the "late" category. Sigh.
I read a quote recently that I thought was a great explaination of life for a 20 something.

“The 20s are like the stem cell of human development, the pluripotent moment when any of several outcomes is possible. … The 20s are when most people accumulate almost all of their formal education; when most people meet their future spouses and the friends they will keep; when most people start on the careers that they will stay with for many years. This is when adventures, experiments, travels, relationships are embarked on with an abandon that probably will not happen again.” What Is It About 20-Somethings?” New York Times Magazine
Now, be honest. How many of you tought, while reading that, "Who does she think she is writing some big fancy word like pluripotent in a blog? She's not some hoity toity girl like that."
It's true. I had to look up the word myself. :) It is talking about cell growth--pluripotent means the point where the cells can become one of many different cell types. Put another way, they are "not fixed as to developmental potentialities." (Thank you medical dictionary!)

So now that we have that out of the way---I love this idea. And I think it's true.

As a twenty-something girl, I feel this way about my life. I have the time, the money (at least within reason) and the freedom to do whatever, go wherever and meet whomever I want. I don't have things that completely tie me down, and I don't have to worry much about other people or what they think or want when I make decisions. If I want to hop on a plane with 24 hours notice, I do it. If I want to run a race with a bunch of crazy (and some nude) people, I do it. I am pretty sure this is going to end sometime and I'll probably look back on it and wish I could re-live these days!

Although I am fortunate to have accumulated a wonderful group of friends from all different parts of my life, I would say that most of my best friendships were formed in my 20's. The Oklahoma Girls and Soul Mate Friend and most of the Animal House boys didn't come along until I was in my twenties.

And for other friendships that have been around much longer, like those that began when I was a kid in elementary school, I think that they became stronger in my 20's. In particular, BFF, College Roomie, Teacher Friend and at least one of the Animal House boys were all in my life for a long time, but it feels like our friendships were really sort of cemented in my twenties.

I figure a big part of why this friendship thing is true is that during this time in my life I've sort of figured out who I am. I know what I like and am over the pretending to be someone or something I'm not. I think that allows me to identify the friends who are truly forever friends and keep them around. I think another part, sadly, is that I've lost several good friends....it makes me more aware of how important my friends are to me and how thankful I am to have them here with me!

I also am quite sure that my formal education is over with (no more finals EVER in life, thank you very much!) and the career choice seems to be working out. So, basically the checklist is compete, except for the whole meeting the spouse thing. Good thing I have three more years to accomplish that one.

So all in all, I'd say my early and mid-twenties have been a complete success. During these years I think I figured out who I am, what I want (at least for now), who I want with me during the good times and bad times that have come, and have learned to appreciate the stage of my life that I'm in. I'm looking forward to what will come in the "late" years.

Oh, and by the way, I'm sort of slow on the boy thing, so feel free to send spouse nominations my way now. We only have three years you know! :)

Throwback Thursday #33: San Francisco in a Different Light

"She had no rings on her fingers, she had diamonds in her eyes. She had no money to be reckoned with, she had love within her life. And I heard her singing. Wouldn't you say that life is beautiful?" ~Life Is Beautiful by Michelle Tumes

Last week I caught an episode of "The World of Jenks" on MTV. The show centers around a 24 year old documentary film maker, Andrew Jenks. He travels around living a week at a time with different people to get a taste of their lives. The first episode I saw was about a girl in San Francisco. You know me--if it has to do with San Francisco, I will be watching!
After having lived there, I always recognize places when the city is on tv. They showed the park where I went running every afternoon. The beach by the Golden Gate Bridge where I took my favorite pictures (see above). I even saw my apartment building with the trolley waiting to pick up riders to head to Market Street (see below). The girl on tv was standing in the same places and seeing the same exact things I did. The girl on tv was great. She was funny and smart and insightful. She had dreams and hopes and a desire to make a difference in the world. In a crazy way, she reminded me of myself living in San Francisco two summers ago. I remember experiencing the beauty of the city and the excitment of the people. I remember a sense of hope and wonder about where my life would lead me next and what I would end up doing. She seemed to have the same feelings.

But her life was completely different than mine had been.

The girl who Jenks was living with for the week was homeless. Actually, I learned, that's not the right terminology. She refers to it as "houseless." This makes sense--no one wants to think they have no home. She was 22 years old an had been on the street in San Francisco since she was 13 years old. She had nothing, except the few things she could carry on her back and a dog named Lucy.

So while we may have been similar in our hopes and dreams, we were completely opposite in our situations. She was houseless, living on the streets. She came from a terrible home life and felt like no one in her life really cared about her. I got to live in a beautiful apartment, that was overflowing pretty much all summer with friends and family who loved me enough to come visit. She never had the chance to go to college. I was on a scholarship to law school. She couldn't get a job because she didn't have an id. I was working at a dream job in a sky scraper downtown.

It's so funny how two people can physically be in the same place, and be worlds apart. What was different between that girl and me? I had been given opportunities and chances and people that made my life go own a different path. She didn't get those opportunities. And that sure doesn't seem fair to me.

I don't know why I got the breaks I did and that girl didn't. I do know that when God gives us much more than others, he expects much more from us. Because of what I have been given, I know that I have a huge responsibility to find a way to give back and to make a difference. Seeing the girl on tv sure reminded me of this in a major way.

So...the next time you are in San Francisco, or anywhere else, and you see a houseless girl on the street, remember that she might be an awful lot like you, minus the good fortune and blessings that you received, yet didn't deserve.

I sure hope that the girl can find a way to make her dreams come true. I hope she changes the world. I know she changed my perspective on things. Maybe that's a start.

Easton and I

"Mumps, measles and puppy love are terrible after twenty." ~Mignon McLaughlin

I know you've all been anxiously awaiting pictures from my meet and greet experience at Brad Paisley since I first wrote about it. Actually, you probably haven't, but I've been anxiously awaiting posting them!
Now, earlier in the year I decided that I could check off my bucket list item "take a picture with a famous person" when I met Alex, the lead guitarist for Miranda Lambert and his wonderful girlfriend snapped a picture for me. While some people questioned if he counted as 'famous' for the checkmark, meeting Easton Corbin certainly counts and the checkmark is for sure done!
So first off, I just love Easton Corbin. He's adorable. He's got the a super cute southern accent, and is really, really good looking. But more than that, he's smart too....degree in Ag Business from the University of Florida. See?? We were soul mates.....except that he met his wife before I got to him!
Anyway, he sings three songs I love......"I'm a Little More Country than That" and "Roll With It" are both on the radio right now. But my favorite might actuallly be one that's not been that popular...."Don't Ask Me 'Bout a Woman."


Anyway, after his concert was over, I was standing around chatting with Brett-Brett and his twin brother Michigan State. Well, low and behold, I see Easton Corbin signing autographs and taking pictures with people right behind us. At first, I just snuck up to snap this photo.
When Miss Texas and I realized that the line wasn't too long and saw that he was hugging everyone he met, we decided standing there was a must! Turns out, the meet and greet only went until 7:00, then they shut the gate. We were the last people through. PHEW! This kind of thing NEVER happens to me. Ever in my life.

Anyway, here you go.....I met Josh Thompson first (singer of Way Out Here....you've heard it...."We're about John Wayne, Johnny Cash and John Deere). Notice my eyes were already scoping out Easton Corbin to my left!
Then I met Steel Magnolia (singers of Keep On Loving You). That girl is adorable an had on killer heels. The guy was less cool. He said he didn't like football. I was over him quickly. (You might wonder how this came up during the 30 seconds I talked to him...let's just say I learned nothing from the Kirk Herbstreit blog!)
And then, it was time for Easton Corbin. He hugged me. Twice. And called me darlin'. I was like a 16 year old with a crush.
And then, like that, our relationship was over. And I went back to my seat on the grass to watch the rest of the concert. But hey, I have the picture to show everyone how cute we look together. And apparently it's believeable. My brother didn't realize it was Easton Corbin and he called me asking who the dude was I was with and to tell me that he would be here soon to kick his you-know-what!

Anyway, let's have a take away point from this. All of you out there who have graciusly volunteered to help me in my search for Mr. Right---take a good look. This is what we're after. Except for the whole part about him being married. Now that we're all on the same page...get to looking!

A Lesson from the Kids

"When you're a beautiful person on the inside, there is nothing in the world that can change that about you." ~ Sasha Azevedo

We hear a lot about kids these days being trouble-makers and how rude they can be and about the hurtful things that they do to each other. Well, finally there was a front page news story about the opposite.

Last month at Cibola High School, the kids got it right. James Keefner was elected homecoming king. He's a favorite among the students--popular, good friends with the quarterback of the football team, hangs out with the girls on the volleyball team, enjoys weight-lifting class, and is friends with just about everyone in the school. Sounds like any other homecoming king in America, right?

Except that James has down syndrome. But to the kids at Cibola, he's just one of their classmates and one of their friends. They look beyond what society has deemed a disability to the person. One student said that there was absolutely no question as to who would be homecoming king at Cibola, because everyone loves James.

These teenagers put aside judgment and prejudice and selfishness. They looked beyond stereotypes and what judgments society imposes on people. They looked not at the outside, but at the inside of James. This kind of thing doesn't happen to often in high schools, or in the world. Maybe if we would all look at a person's heart and spirit and personality first, and let everything else be only secondary, the world would be a better place.

The world would do well to take a lesson from the kids at Cibola High School.

Happiness Project Month 4: Parenthood (or not!)

"Much is expected from those to whom much is given. Much more is expected from those to whom much more is given." ~ Luke 12:48


So month 4 of the Happiness Project focused on parenthood.....needless to say I had to improvise. So, because I previously replaced a non-applicable happiness goal with doing something for myself, I decided that this month I would focus on doing something for others....so my goal: volunteering.

I'd been trying for a while to find a volunteer organization that I was passionate about to get involved with. I feel really strongly about finding a way to give back and about making a difference in the world. So when I decided that doing something for others would be the topic of the Happiness Project this month, I started to do some research. I landed on two different ideas.

First, I signed up with the National Bone Marrow Donor Program's "Be The Match" Registry. If you're not familiar with the organization, they have been working for 20 years to help find life-saving bone marrow matches for people with life threatening diseases, such as leukemia. Finding a bone marrow donor is often a patient's last hope, but 70% of people who need this transplant do not have a match in their family.

That's where the Registry comes in. They keep a database of sorts of people who are willing to be bone marrow donors. If someone is looking for a donor, they can check all of the people on the registry. If someone finds a match, the donor is contacted and the donation occurs. Signing up is easy, you just fill out some short paperwork, mostly about your overall health. After that, they mail you a little kit that has you send in three cheek swabs. And that's all there is to it.

I signed up earlier this month. So far, no call that I match anyone. My mom swears that I don't know what I'm getting into....I pass out when they take my blood pressure....this involves a needle into the bone! But you know....the idea that I might be able to save someone's life would make the passing out and the needles and the sore hip more than worth it. I sincerely hope that I do get the call and that I can make a difference!

You might wonder why I decided this was something that was a fit for me. I don't have an elaborate answer. But I have seen a lot of death in my life, and I'm tired of sad. If I could help save someone's life, and help to prevent the sad for their family and friends, well that would be amazing.

Second, I signed up to volunteer as a Wish Granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I'm particulary excited about this because unlike the bone marrow registry, I don't have to wait around to make a difference....I have already gotten started!
The Make-A-Wish Foundation works to grant children with life threatening illnesses between the ages of 2 1/2 an 18 their fondest wish. A couple of important clarifications. These kids are not all terminally ill. In fact, many of them live to be adults, somewhere around 60%. They all have been diagnosed with life threatening illnesses.....this can be anything from cancer to cerebral palsy and a whole host of other illnesses. And the wishes are not just for the kids, but instead they are for the whole family. So, for example, if a kid wishes to go to Disneyland, the Foundation sends the parents an any siblings who are under 18. All free of charge. The entire idea started with one kid who wanted to be a state trooper before he died.

So, as a Wish Granter, my job is to help get these wishes underway. The volunteers do the interview of the child and family and help them come up with their wish. Then we work to coordinate the wishes and to help with "enhancements" to make the wish even better....think decorations in a hotel room or fun gifts to open on the plane.

Talk about a great gig for me! I have always wanted to be rich....not so much because there are things I need or want for myself, but because I think I would love having the money to really help people. Being a Wish Granter for Make-A-Wish is sort of like having the money to help people make their dream come true....but instead of having to save up for years, I just get to spend someone else's money! And I'm a huge believer in having dreams (hello bucket list!) and making them come true. I've been fortunate to be healthy and have the gift of time to check items off my list....I love the idea of helping others do the same.

The worst part of my work with Make-A-Wish is that I will not be able to share specifics on the blog. I will be able to tell you that I helped grant a wish, but I can't give out any details about the kid or the wish. But....I will tell you that I signed up for my first kiddo last week and I am meeting with her this week to get this wish planning under way. If you want to get an idea of how this works, the national organization has some stories on their website. I'd encourage you to read about Andrew, Christian, Ethan, and many others.

I think it's pretty obvious from the blog that I give this month's project a big fat A+ as far as increasing my happiness. They say it is better to give than to receive--I agree wholeheartedly. As much fun as the golf lessons were during the month of "doing something for me," the idea of saving someone's life or giving a sick kid their biggest wish is so much better!

No Answers

"The hardest part of saying goodbye is having to do it again every single day. Every day we face the same truth that life is fleeting that our time here is short and to honor the fallen we must live our own lives well." ~ OTH

One year ago, my world changed forever. There are some wounds that time will never heal. Somehow, we just have to find a way to live with the scars.

Over the last year lots of things have touched me....whether they have been in books, in songs, in stories, in pictures, in memories, in smells.... More times than I can count, I've burst into tears out of the blue after seeing or hearing something that took me back.

But I think that the thing that has had one of the most profound impacts on me was a quote by Jim Johnson, the preacher at my church in Stilwater.

"Sometimes there are no answers. Just a need to trust in a sovreign God."

So that's what I'm doing today. Trusting and remembering, missing and loving, mourning and never forgetting.

Red Dirt, Football and Brad Paisley

“If it's not fun, you're not doing it right!” ~ Bob Basso

Phew. I'm exhausted just thinking about everything I did over the weekend. Here's a little taste for you!

Friday

I had my one year review at work. They didn't fire me. I call that success! Below is a picture of what I came back to in my office from my secertary and paralegal. The paper says, "Here's a box to pack your stuff. We'll miss you!" But they did put a cupcake inside, so all was forgiven.

After the review I made mad dash for the Junior Livestock Sale at the State Fair. It was fun to be a buyer....talk about seeing the other side of things! I don't have my picture yet, but I will do an update and include it when it arrives.

Then on Friday night I went to the Eli Young Band concert at the State Fair with two friends....we'll call them the Twins' Girls. Trust me---I needed my Red Dirt fix! I listen to the music constantly on my iPod, but there is just nothing like a good ol' live Red Dirt concert! And Eli Young has some awesome songs---Guinevere, Small Town Kid, Oklahoma Girl (which incidentally I'm pretty sure was written about me...) Great night!Saturday


I got the firm tickets to go to the UNM/Utah football game. My Aggie Friend said she would come along.

Now, let's be real....I'm not a Lobo. I did get a law degree from here, but long before I set foot in that law school it was clear that I bleed ORANGE and everyone knows where my allegience lies. And I wore my OSU shirt--we were in the process of beating up on TU, so I had to support my boys! (And, FYI....I was NOT the only OSU fan in the crowd--another guy had his orange an black on supporting the Pokes as well!)
Anyway, I didn't care that UNM was going to get killed (one of my bosses referred to the game as the slaughtring of the wolves). All I know is that I got to see a top 15 team play college football live.....it was a great night under the lights (until they went out an we had to take a little break). Seriously, I have said for years I will watch any game, any time, any where and have a blast.
We made it through half of the 3rd quarter before making a break for food and better games on tv. We actually saw UNM score once and everyone cheered. That was about the only good point for the Lobos, so I was sure to snap a photo.

Sunday
Sunday afternoon I headed out to the Brad Paisley Water Tour at the Hard Rock. College Roomie, McCain, and Aggie Friend all bought lawn tickets for the show and had a blast!There were so many great acts....Steel Magnolia, Josh Thompson, Easton Corbin, Justin Moore, Daruis Rucker (aka HOOTIE!) and Brad. Because of all of the excitement, I will be doing another post just on this alone....so stay tuned! Let's just say that if a certain singer was not married, we would have very cute children, and I have the picture to prove it! :)