Oklahoma Wind

Raise your hands if you have been to Chicago.

For those of you with your hands raised, you probably know that it is also known as "The Windy City". 

OK, you can put your hands down.

Now, I need another show of hands.  Who has been to Western Oklahoma?

For those of you who have been to Western Oklahoma, you probably know that Chicago doesn't hold a candle to how windy it is here!  90% of the time the wind is blowing and I don't mean just a little breeze.  I'm talking 30 - 60 mph winds!. 

Here, most of the trees lean to the north.  If you don't steak the trees when they are little, they will lean.  If you look at the tree in the picture, you can see that it is leaning in addition to the blowing branches. 

To prove that this is true, this afternoon I battled the 40 mph winds, and took a picture for you. 

  

Mom, this should explain why I cut my hair!

 Your windblown farm friend,

Amy

P.S. You can put your hands down now.

Frozen Cotton Stalks

I just wanted to share this picture with you.

This picture is of Frozen Cotton Stalks.  I took it during the ice storm back in January.

I just thought you might enjoy seeing it.

Amy

Combines

Things are getting ready to speed up a lot around our house.  It's almost time for harvest!  I love harvest, everyone gets so excited during this time.  It's almost like Christmas in June!

Well, to get things off to a good start, all the machinery hast to be in good working order.  So we service all the machinery first.  This weekend we worked on the Combines.

For those of you who don't know what a combine is, I'll explaine.

This is a combine.

A combine is used to harvest various crops.  The header ( the long round thing on the front) changes for the different types of crops.  In this case, this header is used to harvest wheat.  As the batt turns it pushes the wheat into the sickle.  The sickle cuts the top of the wheat off and sends it on conveyer chains through the machine.  The conveyer chains pull the wheat through the machine to the roter.  The roter seperates the grain

from the straw.  The grain then travels to a large bin on the back of the combine. 

Once the bin is full, the grain is augared out of the bin and into a grain cart or semi trailer.

 

Even though we service the combines before we start cutting the wheat, we don't always make it through without any delays.  If the combines do breakdown they are usually down for just a few minutes, but sometimes they are down for hours.  We always pray for a year with no breakdowns!

Hope you have left a little more educated on farm life!

Your Farm Friend

Amy

My Crazy Haired Dog

I have a Dog. His name is Moose.  He's a very cute dog, and I love him. I can't help it. Just look at his face...

How could you not love a face like this?

I got Moose from LB for Valentines day in 2006.  He took me to the Dog Kennel and I got to pick him out.  He was the only one of his litter left and not ready to be weaned yet.  But I knew he was the one for me.  Three weeks later we brought him home.  He only weighed a pound and a half. 

We bought him the smallest dog collar we could find and it still didn't fit!  From that day on Moose has gone with me almost everywhere I go.  He can't go to church or work with me of course, but he can most every where else.  He goes with me so much, that he actually has separation anxiety.  Who would have ever thought that a dog could get separation anxiety!

Moose (aka: Moo) is a West Highland Terrier.  These dogs are known for their Long White Hair.  As you can see in the picture, Moose is not lacking in that area.  We do have him groomed every 8 weeks so that he can actually see where he's going.  His hair will get so long that I don't know how he keeps from running into things!

See?  Well, maybe not!

So we load him up and take him to the groomer.  In the summer time it's lots cooler for him.

But in the winter time, he has to wear a coat.

He doesn't mind wearing clothes.  He gets excited every time you get any of his shirts out.  I think he thinks he is supposed to wear clothes. We do, so why shouldn't he? 

Despite all the crazy hair, clothes wearing and anxiety attacks, he has one pretty cool personality.  He definately knows how to make you feel better or make you laugh.  He is always at the door excited to see you when you come home and he's always under the table waiting for you to drop your food!  He's my buddy. 

I think everyone needs a house dog!

To all you dog lovers out there,

Amy

Wal-mart

LB calls walmart the evil empire.  I believe that his reasoning behind this name is because I think it's one of the greatest places on earth!  Or maybe because I tend to spend a lot of money there.  Either way...

I love walmart.  I love walking up and down the isles looking at all the products.  I like to get decorating ideas or organizational ideas.  Sometimes I see something that is just really cool and I spend time coming up with a reason to justify my buying it.  I can almost always create a reason for something!

Before I got married I lived just outside a much larger town and walmart was only about 10 miles away.  I visited walmart at least once a week.  My Little Sister and I would quiet often make late night runs to walmart and just walk around looking and trying on shoes, hats, and purses.  We made lots of good memories and stayed up to date on what the latest styles were, and what sales were going on.

But, now that I live in a small farming community it is over 30 miles to the nearest walmart.  I'm lucky if I get to go twice a month.  It is so sad.  I feel like i'm missing out on things.  Like I'm out of the loop.  When I do get to go, it is usually so rushed I don't get to spend much time looking around.  It's always make a list, stay focused, get what you need and get out.  I actually have walmart withdrawls! 

I got to go to walmart last night!  It was so exciting!  We got there at 10:00 PM, and we didn't leave until 12 Midnight.  Since LB was working on an exchange, I got to actually look around for a while.  It was so nice.  Now my withdrawls have been supressed for a while and I'm happy.

I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to go to walmart.  It has everything!  Literally!

Amy

Like Father Like Daughter

I am my father's daughter.

I went to my sister's house this weekend.  While on the way, I had a conversation with her over the phone that went something like this:

Little Sis:  Hey! where ya at?

Me:  Between the A and the T.

Well, where's that at?

Right here?

Where's Here?

Where we're at.

You sound just like dad!

I know.

Sometimes I feel the need to be ornery!  I can't help it. 

So then she ask me:

Well, how far away are you.

Not far.  I get closer every time the wheel rolls over.

So, how long do you think it will be before you get here?

That depends.

What does it depend on?

It depends on how far away we are.

Well, how far away are you?

This could go on for a long time.  But, she gave up and hung up the phone.  And I felt a little bit of satisfaction knowing that I just made her life a little bit more confusing.

Your Farm Friend

Amy

Favorite Quote #2

Today is only one day in all the days that will ever be.  But what will happen in all the other days that ever come can depend on what you do today.

                                                                                              - Hemingway

                                                                                   "For Whom The Bell Tolls"

Hummmmm

I have nothing to say.

No, you're not seeing things.  You read it right.

I, Amy, the one known as the chatterbox doesn't know what to talk about.  For those of you who are alarmed at this, don't worry.  I'm not sick.  I feel just fine. 

This is not the first time this has happened to me.  Contrary to what lots of you think, I can actually be quiet for extended periods of time.  It's not hard or painful.  It's usually quiet plesant.

Now, I must go enjoy my quietness; with my eyes closed!

Good bye!

Snakes in the Cupboard!

I discovered several years ago that LB, very strongly, dislikes snakes.

I, being the loving wife that I am, use that information to his disadvantage.

You see, I have a fake snake.  His name is Stevie.  Stevie and I have lots of fun with LB.  I like to strategically place Stevie in various places through out the house. Usually, in places that I know LB will find him unexpectedly. I always find these events very humorous. LB on the other hand does not.

 

Well, I decided that I needed to break in the new house properly. I thought and thought about something new I could do with Stevie. I had already put him in the shower, and in the windowsill, and in the bed… I needed something new. I was running out of options. When I suddenly remembered one of the clips I had seen on Funniest Home Videos. I decided to put Stevie in the Kitchen Cabinet with the Cups.

Every night LB gets a drink of water before going to bed, so I knew I couldn’t miss. I waited until LB fell asleep in the recliner and I got Stevie in position. Then, I went to get around for bed. Like clock work LB got up, brushed his teeth, and went to the kitchen for a drink. I stood in the hallway pretending I didn’t have any clue as to what was going on. I heard a cabinet door, the sound of a cup being placed on the counter, and then much to my dismay, I heard the back door and then the dumpster lid. LB never said a word.  But I knew Stevie was a gonner. There was nothing I could do. LB finally decided that Stevie’s time had come to an end.

 

LB was too nice. He let me off the hook. No paybacks. I think it was mostly because I couldn’t retrieve Stevie from the garbage. I had to let him go. Oh well, I still have Stella the Spider!

Funerals, Auctions, and No Sun Screen

On Friday, LB and I had an out of town funeral to go to.  We actually ended up riding with the Mechanic; no one had to go alone that way.  I actually didn't know the gentleman that had passed away.  But, after sitting through his funeral, I left hoping that I could leave the impact on just one person's life, that he left on everyone he knew.  It was a very nice funeral, and I actually left feeling uplifted.  After, listening to everyone who spoke at the funeral, that was how this Gentleman wanted it to be.  I hope that one day, I will have touched someone's life in such a positive way.

Well, the funeral was, on the football field, of his hometown high school at two o'clock in the afternoon.  I didn't have any sun screen. I came home with some really cute tan lines.

Saturday,  I went to an estate auction!  It was really exciting!  I have been to several auctions, but I have never bid on anything.  That all changed today!  I found something that I had to have.  I love light up Christmas villages.  Especially the Department 56 brand.  And I found some today.  Well, LB instructed me in the proper way to bid, and told me how much he thought I should spend, and he let me loose. 

It was so exciting!  I was up there raising my hand and knodding my head.  I was bidding against people to get something I wanted.  It got heated for a while and I lost one of the pieces.  But, I stepped back in for the next two pieces,  And I won!  It was so exciting.  I got caught up in the excitment.  After I bought the village pieces, I was ready to go back for more!  I didn't know what exactly, I would have bid on anything just for the fun and excitment of it.  But, I practiced some self discipline and I put my hand in my pocket and then asked LB for money to pay for what I bought.  (Yes, I used his money.  It's more fun that way!)

Well, Here is my prize:

This is the Ashwick Lane Hose and Ladder

fire house.  Look at all the detail.

The ladder comes off, and the buckets swing on their hooks.

The little bell in the tower rings.

This is just a little village house.  I don't know the name of it.

A sweet couple on a sleigh ride.

Another couple ice skating.

I love the quality of department 56 products.  Very nice craftmanship.

Well, after I practiced my self discipline and was standing around watching everyone else having fun bidding on things, I realized that I didn't have any sun screen on and I had been there for 3 hours.  So on top of the funeral on Friday and then The Auction Saturday, I came home with a rudolph nose and lobster red ears.  I bet I look cute!

Spring is officially here when you have to start wearing sun screen!

Well, I better go so I can put on slome lotion.

Your Bright Red Friend

Amy

Sunshine and Baby Calves

I love the sunshine. Every once in a while I escape the chores in the house and go with LB to check the cattle. I love watching the baby calves in the spring time. They are so playful and curious. As a matter of fact, the other day two of the calves were curious enough that they got close enough to lick my toes.

Yes, I was wearing flip flops to the Farm. And yes mom, I know it's dangerous.

Any way, I happened to get away from the house with out my camera; so, the incident with the toe licking was completely missed!

Well, tonight I decided that I would go for another try with the calves. It was such a beautiful day and the Calves were still just as curious. I thought you'd enjoy having a look...

 

Beautiful!

Your Farm Friend

Amy

Narcolepsy

I am a self diagnosed Narcoleptic.

Well, Maybe I'm just really really really tired. Remember the vicious cycle of staying up late to do chores and not getting enough sleep, thus ending in sleep deprivation?

Well, anyhow, I had a really cool blog to post last night.

And, as always, I sat down to read The Pioneer Woman after I finished my evening chores.  She is my blogging inspiration!  She is my cooking inspiration.  She is my photography inspiration.  She is just my inspiration in general.  Then after I have thoroughly pulled all the possible inspiration and advice I can from The Pioneer Woman, I write my own blog.  Needless to say, they don't even come close to hers, but I still have fun doing it.

So, before I could even finish her first blog, I had fallen asleep.  And after I had drooled down my cheek and let it pool on the pillow LB woke me up and suggested I should go to bed.  So, I did.

The End,
Amy

Favorite Quote #1

When a dream becomes so much a part of you that it shines out of your eyes you'd best give it rein.  Without a dream a man or a woman is less than nothing; with it you can be anything.  Never doubt your dream.  No matter how hard it gets, you hold to that.  That, an' your self-respect.  Folks will judge you as you judge yourself.

                                                                               - Louis L'Amour
                                                                             How The West Was Won

Spring Fever!

It's official, I have spring fever!

My spring fever leads to terrible things:  dishes piled high in the sink, dirt blowing across my wood floors, open windows blowing in more dust, clean laundry piled on the bed waiting to be put away, and many other things.  But I, during this time would rather be galivanting around the farm with LB, sitting on the back porch with a good book, or gettin' good and dirty in my flower bed.  Staying inside and keeping the house clean is the farthest thing from my mind.

And THEN, once it's too dark to be outside, and LB comes home from the farm and is ready to set down, I come in and inevitably I suddenly feel the urge to clean up the mess.  Well, because I've let the mess go to begin with I then proceede to work way too late into the night loosing all sense of time.  Thus creating the vicious cycle of sleep deprivation and being behind on my chores. 

It's terrible I tell you!

What can I say?  I was born for the outdoors.  I love going to the farm with LB to check the cattle or the wheat.  I also love working in my flower garden; which I am creating an entirely new garden because my new house didn't have one.  Easter Sunday was the perfect day for beginning that.  I planted several different types of bulbs.  I have never planted bulbs before.  The only things I have ever planted have been  transplants or seeds.  I'm so excited to see what comes up!

See, Spring Fever even leads to the inability to stay on topic.  Well, before I get to chasing any more rabbits I'm going to sign off. 

Your Farm Friend,

Amy

Apple Pie and Smoke Alarms

I am in charge of tomorrow's Easter Apple Pie!

Of all the pies, apple is my favorite.  Unfortunately everyone in my Married side of the family likes boring pies like pecan and cocanut cream.  So, I am bringing my own pie.   

By the time I remembered that tomorrow is Easter and that I still had the pie to bake is was after 9:30 tonight.  With church tomorrow I wouldn't have time to get it baked before lunch.  So, tonight I must bake.

 

It's actually a really easy recipe to  make.  A friend of mine taught me how to make this several years ago when I had to win a bet.  Needless to say, I won!

Well, I got the pie in the oven at about 10:15.  Finally I can set down!  The kitchen was all cleaned up, all I had to do was take the pie out of the oven and go to bed.  (after I wrote this).

So, while I was settin' on my new couch thinking of what to write about tonight, A loud beeping starts going off. 

I jump up and run into the kitchen where the noise is coming from.  There's no smoke anywhere.  It finally wakes LB up and he and my crazy haired dog come running in.  Great, LB is tall enough to reach the smoke alarm and turn it off.  Only, There's one problem, there is no off button!

LB gets the smoke alarm off the ceiling and starts looking it over.  There's got to be a way to turn it off.  All of a sudden, the other 3 smoke alarms in the house start going off.  The smoke alarms are hard wired into the house's electrical system.  You can't turn them off.  You have to clear the house of the smoke, which we have yet to discover the origin of, to get the beeping to stop.  So, now the house is beeping and ringing really loud, the dog is walking around in circles looking at the ceiliing, I have opened all the doors and windows, and LB is about to rip the smoke alarm out of the ceiling.

In the meantime, the Oven timer goes off.  As I open the oven door, I discover the origin of the smoke.  My apple pie has boiled over and has burned in the bottom of the oven.

So, we ended up sitting on the back patio for 20 minutes at 11:00 at night while the house airs out. 

Finally the house airs out, the Smoke alarms turn off and we all go back inside.

All that trouble for an Apple Pie!

Love, Amy

A Peek Inside!

This post is what you've all been waiting for.  A peek inside my new house.  But before I could let you all inside, I had to make sure it was clean.  So, I swept the dirt under the rugs, threw the junk in the closet, and put the dirty clothes under the bed.  Oh wait, I don't have any rugs!

I love my new house, and I think you will too!

This is my Living room:

I love the front door! 

Those windows are really pretty when the sun shines through.

There's my new couch again.

This is the guest bedroom and bathroom:

I couldn't get far enough back to get more of the room in the picture.

Oh, look!  There I am!

There is supposed to be a mirror in the middle of the medicine cabinet.  But, the day we moved in that mirror just jumped right off!  I guess it didn't like the way LB looked!

This is the shower.  It's straight across from the sink above.

This is the Master Bedroom and Bathroom:

We're going to paint the walls in here to match the rest of the house.

This is not the bedspread I'm going to use.  I'm currently looking for a new one. 

Anyone got any suggestions on where to look?

There is a wonderful walk in closet to the left of the chest.

This bathroom is really nice, and there is a sink it is to the left of the toilet.

And last but not least my Kitchen and Dining Room:

I love this kitchen.  The window lets in lots of light and the cabinets are wonderful!

See my rooster?  LB gave me that for christmas.  There's also more cabinet space to the left.

My dining room is nice and bright with the patio doors!

There is one more room up stairs, but I didn't take pictures of that.  It is still just boxes. Just like my garage.

I hope you enjoyed the tour.

See ya tomorrow,

Amy

I'm Back!!!!!

Hello all!

I'm Back.  I'm reconnected with the world.  I'm back online.  yahoo!!! 

Ok, so I shouldn't be that excited about internet, but hey, I'm a blogger junkie.  So, The Internet installers didn't show up on Tuesday afternoon like I rescheduled.  So, after 3 different phone numbers and 45 minutes on the phone I finally found a lady that could actually tell me what was going on.  So, to make a long story short, They came today which is actually yesterday because I'm not in bed yet like I should be....

Well, where do I start?  I've had so much happen over the past several days that I wanted to share with you. I wanted to tell you about my wonderful morning drive to work;  with the green wheat and baby calves, and show you pictures of the inside of my new house and tell you about the visit from my parents, and about this great new macaroni and cheese recipe, and how horrible a speller I am,  but I settled on what happened today.  I decided that since my life is not in the slow lane any more, that I would just start with the news from today.  And when my life slows back down I'll fill you in on our lost time.

So, Today.

Today, my Aunt made me feel special.  My wonderful Aunt sent me a delicious gift today.  I shouldn't have been suprised because she always thinks of my husband and I on the holidays, but lately I've been so busy time just slipped by. 

Early afternoon I received a package. I was unable to open it until I got home, but when I did this is what I found:

When I found it, it wasn't missing part of it's contents.

Chocolate covered strawberries are one of my absolute favorite things to eat.  I was in heaven.  I have no idea what happened to the missing one?  I looked all over and couldn't find it.  So, I decided that I needed to eat the chocolate chip covered strawberry so there'd be an even number in the box.  I like things in order ya know!

See how big they are!

Half white chocolate, half dark chocolate!

Who ever came up with the idea that chocolate was unhealthy hasn't ever eaten one of these.  I feel like I need to write a poem, sing a song, or maybe do a little dance in honor of these delightful treats. OK, maybe not do a dance. I'm not graceful enough for that!  So, this post is my Ode to Chocolate Strawberries!

THANK YOU AUNT NANA!

Tune in tomorrow for a peek inside my new house.  (After I clean it of course.) 

Your Reunited with everything friend,

Amy