A July Storm

Friday afternoon, the weather turned crappy.  There were tornado warnings and sightings in surrounding areas and lots of rain and wind.  I was still at work with about 25 minutes to go when my boss ran out of his office saying there was a funnel cloud to the east of the office building.  It was far enough away to where it was still neat to watch.  All we got at the office was a massive amount of rain and wind, so we were lucky. 


Hard to see, but the funnel cloud is in the middle


I drove home with pounding rain on my windshield about 2 miles before it stopped.  It was sunny and blue skies at home!  But, I soon found out that the wind part of the storm had hit there. 

This is the picture after I rescued my poor flowers that fell off my deck.  Surprisingly, after losing most of the soil and being tossed violently to the ground, they are blooming like crazy now!

This is another poor flower who's petals are all blown off.  My favorite flower, too!

And then there's the garden.  Everything was leaning to the east.

It snapped off 2 of my sunflowers, the rest were just leaning.

Cucumber plants leaning to the east.

But, after all that wind and rain, the garden looks amazing and the flowers are coming back to life.

And this little guy is no longer plastered to our siding.

More pictures of my garden to follow.  I'm excited to show off some fabulous produce and maybe a gardening secret or two!

Enjoy the work week!
A P.S. from yesterday's post -  The best part of the weekend ------ I got to dance with my hubby to our wedding song, "I Get Carried Away" by George Strait, next to the bonfire! Loved it :)

....I'm back!

Ok, seems I've been missing for awhile.  Things have been happening, but I sometimes I feel the best blog contains pictures.  And it seems I've been forgetting my camera lately.  But over the weekend, I got a few good shots to help tell the story and I will be posting them soon. 

Quick fourth of July recap:
Hubby and I met up with my parents, brother and a few friends at the Rodeo on Friday night.  This was hubby's class reunion weekend, so we ran into a few old classmates of his and had some drinks at a local restaurant.
Spent July 2nd at the Parade in the morning with my mom, aunt, cousin and grandma.  Afterwards, we went to the Arts Roundup and walked around in the scorching heat.  I burned pretty nicely that day!
That night, we had a birthday party and bonfire at my in-laws for my brother-in-law.  Lots of food, friends, fire, and fun.  Ha!  Also a few minor firework mishaps, or I should call them, malfunctions.
July 3rd was spent doing as little as possible.  We were both tired from the night of partying that we slept until noon!  I think we had a relaxing day...I can't remember!
July 4th - I went to the derby with my mom, aunt, uncle and cousins.  About the only thing I got out of that, was wrinkles, skin cancer, and sun spots.  That night, hubby and I went to his brothers house to see the nieces.  We had a few drinks and some pizza and played with the girls.  I got my fill of baby holding and some relaxation time.  Everything was going well, until Nevaeh tripped and fell and hit her head on a brick. Ouch! Poor girl had so much blood, but she was a trooper while mom cleaned her up.  Little sis, Elli, cried for "Vaeh".  Elli made me tear up when she was crying and screaming "What wrong with Vaeh!!!!!??"

So after all the fun of the weekend, we were back to work on Tuesday. 

After boring you with a weekend recap, I will hopefully entertain you this week with actually stories and pictures.  Family reunion this coming weekend, so I should really have stories for you then! :)

I'm battling a case of the Monday's today along with a massive headache. 
But, on a better note, it's Bachelorette night! And I WILL be watching tonight!

Enjoy your day and remember to smile!

Calf Photo Blog

*Picture heavy blog*
About 2 weeks ago, we moved our calves to the pasture.  We still have 4 in the barn that are about 2 weeks old.  Here are some recent pictures I took.

This one decided the grass and hay were better when eating INSIDE the bale feeder!

 The next pictures are my attempt to take a picture with Blue (my favorite and more friendly calf!)

First: had to let him suck my fingers to get him closer

Second: Missed my face but got him licking me!

Third: Kisses!

Fourth: He tried to eat me!

Happy (late) Father's Day!

Yes, this post is coming just a few days late.  It has been quite a busy week at work and the last thing I wanted to do when I got home was sit in front of the computer.  So here is my daddy's post...

Where to start...At one time, I was farmin' daddy's girl.  I may have been forced into it when mom was tired of me, but I loved spending time with dad in the tractors.  I have some good memories of those days.  Like, bologna and ketchup sandwiches from the cooler.  And Twinkies.  Milking and feeling like I was a BIG help.  Feeding the baby calves.  Putting on my "milk" boots just like dad.  Dad jumping out of the grain truck telling me to take it out of gear at the end of the field and stop! (Thanks dad, I think I'm still traumatized by that!)  Those were the easy days.  When nothing else mattered except what my favorite barbie was wearing. 

Now, don't get me wrong, dad and I didn't always have an easy going relationship.  There was a period of time that I lost because I was my self-fish self.  My teenage years were filled with me thinking dad was always wrong and just wanted to "boss" me around.  Come to find out, he was just trying to keep our relationship good and guiding me to be a better me! 

So here's to a very hard-working, caring, loving, gentle yet tough, dad.  I may not say it much, or even show it, but I love him more then he knows. 
Thank you dad for everything you have done for me.  My life wouldn't be the same without the struggles we had.  - I love you, Dad!  (and Mom!)

When nothing else fits, wear a Smile!

"When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure."

Steph is just that, a treasured memory.  3 years ago today, I lost a good high school friend.  I don't usually like to bring the past up about things like this, but I can't help but want the world to know about her!

About 14 years old.  Don't mind my slutty shirt, we were going to a dance!

When you were having a bad day, Steph was always there with a smile and a giggle to cheer you up.

She smiled through everything, even when she would get yelled at by a teacher!  She was one of those people who irritated you when you were having an angry day because she was still smiling!

I have so many memories of her from sleep overs, birthday parties, Farmer's Union Camp, Garth Brooks concert, ski trips, sports, yearbook staff, dances, Drama club, you name it, she was there. 

Farmers Union camp!

Many things that I remember about her include:
Her love for animals, especially dolphins.
Her giggle for no reason!
The way she flirted, and couldn't hide it!
Her passion for music. 
The amount of books she read!
She was so nice to everyone, no matter who they were.
Her intelligence.
Her open and adventurous personality.  She really wanted to skydive one day
Her numerous years of braces!
Her loyalty to her friends and family.
Her caring-ness  She loved old people!

Farmers Union Camp banquet night

I can honestly say my school years would not have been the same without her.

Now after high school, we texted and called once in awhile, but she was in a different town for college and made tons of new friends.  We kind of drifted and then ran into each other one night at the bar when we were both, oddly, meeting a mutual friend there and didn't know it.  We had a great time drinking, talking, and making new memories.  That was the last time I hung out with Steph. 

She was loved by so many and touched so many lives.  We are all so grateful to have known her, even if it was only 22 years. 

Taken too young, but in our hearts forever. 
So for today, I remember to wear a smile, even though my heart is still sad after 3 years. 

Sleepover at my house after a junior high dance

Happy 25th Birthday, Steph! Hope they are throwing you one shibby party today!! :)



The light...

Sometimes there is a light, but most times it's on the other side of something you need to get through. 

Keep pushing, breathing and believing!

FAITH



Photo credit: trekearth.com





The simple things in life

This is a quick check on before the weekend hits.  It is about 2 hours away as of typing this! 
Can't help but wish I was going to Minnesota with my in-laws to meet up with some family and hit up a Twins game and spend some time at the Mall of America.  But because of some time off issues and conflicts, hubby and I will be staying back home.

But this weekend will be a laid back, relaxing one...or so I hope!  Seems like every time I plan a relaxing weekend, it turns into a weekend of unexpected work.

It's the simple things in life that I enjoy.  The rush of the weekend, trying to get everything done so that we don't have to spend our weekday evenings working out butts off.  The unexpected family "gathering."  The good times spent talking, laughing, and enjoying a few drinks.  The quiet walk around the farm taking pictures of the natural beauty.  Reading a book on the deck in my new outdoor rocking chair.  The nights that hubby says, let's feed and then spend the night at home doing nothing. 

Just a quick note on this picture: I was taking pictures of the old "barn" wood fence at the farm trying to convince hubby that those pieces of wood would make the CUTEST, most rustic fence around our utilities in our yard.  We have been trying to find a good fence to cover some ugly utility poles in our yard and this seems like a unique, cheaper alternative.  I think it's a GREAT idea...hubby, not so much.  Hmmm...maybe if I put it up myself he will like the idea more.


As of this last week, I've been "watching" my garden "grow."  Seems like it's taking forever, but I only planted it on Sunday!  I'm ready to pull weeds and water (which I might not have to do since we moved to Washington State, or so it seems).

I know you can't tell, but there are rows, and no they are NOT straight.  And yes, I know where everything is and what it is!
Potatoes, cucumbers, beans, radishes, kohlrabies, and sunflowers take up the middle, odd rows.  Peas and green peppers are on the side lines.  And the spot behind the garden shed that I will not be using will possibly be filled with pumpkins by the neighbor boy. 

Enjoy the peaceful, cool weekend! :)