I Can't Believe It

I can hardly believe it, but today I'm 36. Yikes where did all the time go!!! I have to say that my life is almost 100% different than I expected it to be on this day...but I still love my life. God just had different plans than I did. I am so thankful for all the experiences I've had and can't wait to see what else is in store. I'm so blessed to have a great family and friends. And lucky me, my mom flies in this afternoon so I'll get to have birthday cake with her tonight. We look a little different than we did in this picture but the fun of celebrating with family is still the same. And if you want to see my 13th birthday...well thanks to Sue the whole world can see a picture on her blog. :)

We Should Have Been on TV

So what do you do when you are about to move but your cupboards, fridge and freezer are still loaded with food supplies? You have people over to a "whatever we can make out of the food in the fridge, cupboards and freezer" dinner party! And actually, dinner was pretty good....complete with appetizers and dessert! It was a dinner invite on short notice, but for those that know Chester's affection for Rachel Ray...we knew it would be good. But as Scott and I stood in the kitchen watching Chester dream up concoctions based on what treasures he was finding, we just laughed that this should be one of those reality shows on the Food Network. A competition to see who could come up with the greatest feast...without running to the store for a single thing.

I love to have people over for dinner, etc. But I always plan what we're going to eat and go to the store to specifically buy what we need. So starting without a plan was kind of fun but it also gave me a whole new appreciation for all the meals my mom has made over my life span. It seems like she always had whatever she needed to pull together something that everyone liked.

Rest Assured

It finally happened yesterday...I had a meltdown. I should have known it was coming with my move to Iowa being just two weeks away...but oh no, it still caught me by surprise. I started fretting over my house not being sold yet- which in turn affects my financing for my new house, which led to "Am I really doing the right thing or did I orchestrate this 'work from home' move to happen?" But through the tears and sniffles, I kept assuring myself that this is the right thing and I know in my heart that I'm supposed to be in Iowa. And that God loves me, doesn't want me to hurt, suffer, worry, fret...so he's bringing a buyer for my house in the next few days. (I know He will.) And as I started to think about my visit to Iowa last week...I overwhelmingly knew that I'm supposed to be in Iowa and all this other stuff will just work itself out. Of course it will, because I've got other things to worry about....like how to teach this little girl how to ride horses, show cows, ride the 4-wheeler...and the list goes on.

You've Got Mail

The usual sort on the way in with the mail includes pitching the political propaganda, advertisements, and computer generated postcards...but wait, today I got a VERY important computer generated postcard. It said "Congratulations! All of your hard work and determination is about to pay off!" Then it went on and provided the link for information about UGA's Summer 2008 Commencement. They are going to let me graduate! I even get to walk across the stage in the coliseum while they read off my name and dissertation title. And the best part....my mom and aunt Suzy will be in the audience watching!

I've always been a fan of getting mail and surprises like today are why. It's always just such a surprise to see what the mailman left.....in addition to the junk mail. Of course my favorites have always been cards & letters and magazines. The internet has really ruined a lot of that because now people (including me) take the shortcut and send e-cards and e-mails....even most of my bills arrive electronically. Remember when we were in grade school and had pen pals that just lived in the next town over? Or the people you met at camp and other 4-H events that you'd write all year long? And what about the chain letters that made everyone think they would one day get a lot of money back through the mail? I'm guessing the mailman knows a whole lot about people simply by sorting and delivering their mail.

The County Fair

Growing up, there was one thing that I looked forward to every July (even more than my birthday)...the County Fair. And the Wright County Fair is in full swing this week, so here's a little tribute to what makes it such a special place to be.

Of course, one of the primary purposes of the fair is to exhibit and judge the projects of 4-H and FFA members. So in addition to having our cattle ready, we also spent several months doing projects in cooking, sewing, home improvement, etc. Oh how we hated sitting at the sewing machine ripping out crooked seams instead of being outside on a summer day. And do you realize how many sheets of cookies it takes to get 12 that look almost perfect...and are the same size?! And then to sit with a judge as they analyzed your projects, tasted your food, and asked you questions...I'd hate to think about how bad some of the food they tasted might have been! But through the torture, it was aways rewarding to see the blue and purple ribbons displayed on your projects. And I was really excited when I had things chosen to go to state fair.

But the project side of the fair is nothing compared the friendships and fun times. We camped on the fairgrounds (6 miles from home), so there were endless games of cards, spoons, and bullsh#*. It was almost like a week long slumber party! And we spent a lot of time in the barns supposedly watching after cattle and pigs...but mostly we played cards, flirted with boys, and played practical jokes. But one of the best parts of the week...the annual water fight after the sale. The fair was officially over so no one could get in too much trouble...and it usually got ugly. Everyone was soaked before the day was done. And that probably helped cover up the tears that rolled down people's faces as they saw their market animals get hauled away to the packing plant.

Fun times! And great memories.

Independence Day

So it's back to work after a three day weekend and the standard question from everyone has been "so what did you do for the 4th?". Well like 90% of the people in the United States...I saw fireworks! And I even got to take in a small town parade complete with every single person running for any elected office in the county...and a clown cleaning up the horse road apples! I just love rural America and I was so excited that I got to spend the better part of a day being in it. It rained on the afternoon of the 4th...and with the Georgia heat, that just created an outdoor sauna- so I didn't really feel like going to a park with a thousand other people to watch the fireworks. Instead I saw fireworks at the racetrack. The track had a two night late model show that brought in cars from all over the southeast. It was $5000 to win the 50 lap feature and it was an awesome race right to the checkered flag. It was nearly a photo finish and the guy in second blew his motor right after he passed the flagman...so I'd say he was definitely giving it all that he had. The cars that would have been 3 and 4 got tangled up in the last lap so they didn't finish...which might explain the fight that started in the pits right after the race! It was a great night for racing!

While I had a great time this 4th of July weekend...I'd still have to say that my favorite 4th was when I was in Washington DC working a leadership program for the FFA. The day was full of people on the lawn between the capitol and the Washington monument having picnics, playing volleyball and frisbee, listening to military bands and simply just hanging out. And the fireworks...well words can't explain how amazing it was to see a fireworks display with the Washington monument in the foreground. The show was no less than 45 minutes of continual bursts of color. Simply amazing!

A Lesson in Genetics

It's no secret that the United States has a major obesity issue. I don't know the stats, but I know it is startling to hear the percentage of people in the US that are considered overweight. The other day I finally watched the movie "Super Size Me" and it nearly convinced me to avoid fast food for the rest of my life (which won't be quite so hard once I move back to rural Iowa!). AND THEN I ran across this picture from one of my Grams' photo albums....whoa, those people were her (my) relatives, I've got these genes inside of me, I better not eat anything but celery and salad for the rest of my life! And I better increase my run mileage by about 20 miles a week!

Sad thing is, I understand genetics and know that I better watch it or I will end up like one of the women in this picture! So I guess I should appreciate it (and not be annoyed) when my dad makes a comment like "You still running?" or "Have you gained a couple pounds?" because I know he's only doing it because he cares about me. What's even more sad is that I do work out nearly every day, I eat really healthy, and because of genetics...I'll have to do that for the rest of my life!

Gardener, Cook, Seamstress.....Grandma

Of all the hard things in life, I think losing someone you love is probably my hardest. And last week this was brought to light once again as Grandma A. took her final breath on earth. I know very well that it was a blessing, she is in a better place, and she has no pain. But that doesn't make it any easier. And I guess her passing was compounded by the fact that she was my last living grandparent. Lucky for me, I took advantage of seeing her every time I've been home over the last couple of years. I have to admit that sometimes (well most of the time) I dreaded going to the nursing home to see her because it just made me so sad to see her there....a dedicated farm wife cooped up without a garden, kitchen or sewing machine. In fact most of the time I left the building with tears rolling down my face just praying that God would take her home. But all the same, I'm so glad I went to see her all those times, because now those conversations we had about her growing up, meeting grandpa, and raising a family are something I can hold onto.

Growing up with my grandparents close by is something I've really grown to appreciate over the last several years. My grandparents were a part of my every day life....and every day they still reside in my memories. Whether is was playing a board game with my Grams, riding in the combine with my Grandpa A., or picking strawberries with my Grandma A...they were there. I've been so blessed to have grandparents as part of my life....and now they are all together again watching over me. I hope I'm making them proud.