Just wondering?

For those of you who read this and are as lucky as I am to live in a place that 8 months out of the year it is snowing, have you ever noticed that when it snows the wind also blows? Guess what, I'm 89.73% sure that's what happens here in Ho-ville. It is puffing snow outside but the wind is blowing thus the dusting of snow loves to turn into drifts. LAME. Let me say this though, a while back I posted about Old Man Winter holding off a bit and I'm pleased to announce that he did. It's December 21st and the weather has been beautiful here. Sunny days, no wind, no snow. I guess winter has held off long enough. He's coming now...hopefully it'll be slow. I really would not like a snowpocalypse.

*4 sleeps until Jesus' birthday*

The reason for the season

I've been talking with my friends about what Santa is going to bring them this year. We all have our wish lists but as of this morning after some deep thoughts, I've forgotten what Christmas is all about. I've been dwelling on what presents I'm getting. What is Lane Frost putting under the tree for his love. Is Santa going to stop bye the Cusack's in Montana? Enough of that! Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus. My parents raised me to know this. The importance of the day not of the things. I need to remember that family and friends are more important than gifts. I need to remember that without Jesus we'd be in a bad bad place. That man basically rocked it for all of us. I also need to remember there are millions of people who don't have 1/2 as much as I do. People who can't afford to give gifts but still manage to make Christmas special should be applauded. Please forgive me for being so inconsiderate when it comes to remembering the true meaning of Christmas. I am so grateful to have each and everyone one of you. I'm blessed to have my family and I love my Lane Frost.

So readers, did you remember the true meaning of Christmas or did you fall victim to the material world like I did?

The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Hello House!

After months of talking about it and promising some photos, here are the "before" pictures. I'd better get on the after ones this weekend. We have to finish hanging our lights!!

Pulling my tiny hair out and Tom is still thawing

This week has been so crazy. Do you want to know why? We're being audited! Son of a B! There is nothing fun about this. I guess I should be grateful this is only for a select amount of invoices. I can only imagine if there was a full blown audit for the past 5 years.

How am I coping? I had Wendy's for lunch today. Not the correct solution to this problem.

Here's the positive note. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I'm so excited because my good friend and her hubby are coming down from MT to visit. Woohoo.

Tomorrow's the day it's okay if I eat more than I want to because honestly, who wants to count calories on Thanksgiving?

So my friends, may your tummies get full, may your cheeks hurt from laughter, and I hope you create many more memories.

Love ya!

Send them into hibernation!

Hey everyone! I'm super excited for this weekend because it's one of the best times of the year. I know I complain about the weather and how I don't want winter. Also, we all know Thanksgiving is next week so what could it be that makes this my favorite time? Well, it's the big football game between Montana State University Bobcats and the University of Montana Grizzlies. What makes this so special? It's one of the oldest revelries in college football and because I'm a MAJOR Cat fan!! Currently the Bobcats are #1 in the nation for college football. Yep, you read that correctly, #1 in the Nation!!! WOOP! WOOP! I'm very sad I can't make it up to Bozeman to watch the game, but so very excited about the satellite party here in IF. Here's my issue...I'm supposed to have Search and Rescue training. UGH! If this wasn't going to be ONE OF THE GREATEST GAMES OF THE YEAR then I don't think I'd be as sad. I guess I need to "get sick" or something.
Happy Friday!

Hair update!

Here you go everyone. I got my hairs done last night and I asked my friend/stylist to pause so I can take a few shots.

Here's the beauty when my hair is wet.

And this is what it looks like regardless if I try to cover it up.

The only solution is to where my hair 1/2 up in a pony. Booo!!!

My suggestion is the next time you have to take a drug test and they want your hair, tell them to take it at the base of your head.

Enough said!

Lesson learned

Do you remember when I took that second job this fall working for AB? You know, the one they shaved my head for? Okay, they really didn't shave my head but they gave me that nasty bald spot. Now you remember! It has been about 4 months and my stinkin' hair is out of control. SAD FACE! I'm going to bust out the camera at the salon tonight so I can show you all how my "free hair cut" sticks out.

I really am not posting about that. I must move on from the horror of the drug test. What I want to discuss this morning is how the 6 weeks ruined my fitness life. Most of you know that I've been trying to lose weight and change my eating habits for over a year now. Actually it's going to be two years in December. I've had my hills and I've fallen off the wagon multiple times. Finally this summer I felt like I had a great routine set up. Head to the gym, eat well, make smart choices. Yes! I had hit my lowest weight in YEARS! When I started working for AB my gym time was altered. I wasn't able to meet with my personal trainer. I lost motivation to go at noon. My eating habits went back to poor choices. It was just not a good time. Want to hear the worst part? I gained 10 pounds! That's right, 10! Diez! Dix! Zehn! En! (I just used free translation to help with that.) Back to the point. Gaining that weight was a huge slap in the face. It shows me that I'm not ready what-so-ever to have free reign over my life. Well I do have free reign but what I mean is I need to have someone hold me accountable to what I'm eating. Unfortunately because of the gain, I feel like I'm back to square one. I really have to push it to get back to where I was plus a little more. Ugh! I want to stop making excuses and get back in the game!

Here I gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

It's time to write some letters!

I'm feeling inspired today to get some serious blogging done. So please join me because it's that time again: LETTER TIME!

Dear Old Man Winter,
I'm not ready for you and your bad self. In fact, if you could just pass by without leaving your mark, I'd love that. Take this into consideration, we had snow until May and it didn't get warm until July. Get it? Thanks!
From (because there is NO love for you),
Grumpy

Dear Wind,
I hate you more than Old Man Winter. Go AWAY! Enough of this BS I want to walk outside without my eyes watering and my hair flying all over.
From,
Grumpy

Dear Pounds,
Stop creeping up on me. This is not okay! I want to eat that ice cream without gaining 4 pounds. Can you please let this happen? I don't like realizing that I will always battle my eating habits because you enjoy sticking around too long. Just go away.
Thanks!

Dear Gym,
Why is it that I like you but hate you at the same time? I love walking away knowing you kicked my butt yet again but for some reason I still struggle going to visit you. Maybe if we worked something out we could become best friends. Try to work out a deal with the Pounds and that will be a good start.
Love ya,
Sweat girl

Dear Search and Rescue,
Thanks for being so fun and allowing me to learn lots of cool tricks. I look forward to the time we will share. Thanks for the two code red call out that I've raced to respond to and then having them canceled. That's a good thing, that means the lost person was found. Also, thanks for the new friends that I'm making.
Always ready to respond,
#818

Dear New House,
I love you!

Dear Lane Frost,
Thanks for the XM radio for Clark. We both love you and the new tunes.
xoxo!
P.S. My biological clock is still ticking!

Dear 2011,
Why did you go by so quickly? Next year I'm going to be 28 and that means, only 2 years until 30! Goodness, I'm not ready for 2012! I know I can't fight time so let's make 2012 one of the best years of my life. That has to involve some bling though, better talk to Lane about that.
Love,
Me!

Dear Readers,
Thanks for sticking with me even though I'm an unfaithful blogger. As always, I will try to better my posts and keep you all up-to-date with my exciting life. Keep reading I promise it'll get more interesting!
Love,
ME!

Loving him to the moon and back

Have you ever read the book "Guess how much I love you?" It's super cute. Sorry that I'm going to give away the end but this is what it says:

Then he looked beyond the thornbushes, out into the big dark night. Nothing could be farther than the sky. "I love you right up to the moon," he said, and closed his eyes. "Oh, that's far," said Big Nutbrown Hare. "That is very, very far." Big Nutbrown Hare settled Little Nutbrown Hare into his bed of leaves. He leaned over and kissed him good night. Then he lay down close by and whispered with a smile, "I love you right up to the moon - and back."

That little bit at the end is something I always tell Shayne. "I love you to the moon and back." I think it's common between us women to say little catch phrases or have silly nick-names for our men.
You can imagine that when I was paroozing through Pinterest and came across a sign that someone made saying "I love you to the moon and back," my heart had a small palpation. I knew I could make this. After all, we just moved into our home and I could hang anything on the walls and it wasn't going to be an issue. So here you go, here is a step-by-step of making my sign. (Sorry for the glare on the photos, I was in the garage and had no interest in creating the best lighting for the pictures.)
1. Find a piece of wood. Got it! In the shed, I spotted it a while ago. However, when I went to pick it up I realized it was an old table. OOPS! Thus this masterpiece is about 20 pounds. Haha!
2. Take wood into garage and clean it off
3. Attempt to sand it down, lose interest quickly and give up.
4. Place it on an object that will support the wood and allow you to paint all around it. I found an old trash can. Classy I know.
5. Find paint. Obviously, I wanted to make this as cheap as possible so I got out our extra paint from the bathroom and bedroom.
6. Mix paint. Again, I was being classy by using a stick I found.
7. Paint 1st coat and let dry.
8. Go upstairs, take care of my sweets. Make dinner, do dishes, probably watch TV for a while. Forget about the craft project and go to bed.
9. Wake up, remember the project but don't forget to go to work. Come home apply 2nd coat.
10. I had the idea to use my friends cricut to cut out some vinyl and put it between the base coat then paint over it and peel the letters off. That plan didn't work out so I went with plan B. Stress over trying to free hand the sign.
11. Practice various fonts that will meet your demands.
12. Give up and say "Just do it!"
13. Use your amazing stir stick to prep the top coat paint.
14. Search the garage for a small brush.
15. Start drawing and become pleased with the outcome.
16. Stop 1/2 way through because Biggest Loser is on and that's more important.
17. Drag your feet back into the garage and finish the project.
18. Show it to said love, see their lame reaction but still love it yourself.
19. Find strong enough brackets to hang this beast above your bed. (we have yet to do this so it sits against our wall in the bedroom)

Then just be please and say "I did it and I like it" because really, that's all that matters.

Another trip

Hey Ya'allllll! I'm in Louisville, Kentucky for the rest of the week helping with more training. I flew in this afternoon then forgot there is a 2 hour time change so I wondered why they wanted to go to dinner because it seemed so early. After checking into the slightly ghetto hotel, I decided to burn some calories. YAY me! I headed to the gym in the hotel and walked into a room smaller than my bedroom. Adding to that, it was crazy hot in there. I stuck it out though and pumped out some intervals. I pre-planned some places to eat that had healthy choices while here. I forgot to incorporate the 6 men that are traveling with me. All six of these men do not care about calories so they made reservations for PF Changs tonight. Dang it! It's okay, I pulled up my food app and made smart choices. Well, I thought so. Lettuce wraps and a cup of egg drop soup. Here's the problem, I had ice cream. NOT OKAY!!!!!! That's okay, tomorrow I can redeem myself. I told the guys I'm picking the restaurant tomorrow.

Now tomorrow is a big day. We are heading to the Louisville Fire Training academy to further educate the firemen.

The work schedule is tight but I'm hoping to visit the Kentucky Derby Museum. The only time I'll have is on Thursday afternoon. Again, traveling with these men limits my exploring but I'm a big girl, I can go off and explore alone. I will just have to wait and see if they let me!

I'll keep you all posted and add some pictures tomorrow. Peace out!

It's been too long

Hi Friends!

I'm so sorry I haven't blogged in a million years. The worst part this isn't a juicy blog, I just want to explain why I've been so negligent. Here's the breakdown.

~Went to New Mexico
~Came home for one week
~Purchased a home! (yayayayayay!)
~Super busy for that week with work
~Went back to New Mexico
~Went to Montana for Homecoming
~Painted bedroom and bathroom
~Moved into new home
~Still very busy at work
~Got back to my gym routine
~Trying to get the house set up
~Heading to Kentucky for work next Tuesday
~Trying to finish things at work before leaving
~Being sworn in for Search and Rescue

So it might not seem like all of those things could consume my life, but they did! Here's my promise to you, I will post multiple blogs during my trip to Kentucky. I will jump back on the band wagon here.

Sorry for letting you all down. I'll be back soon!

At the whoreport!

I'm in Salt Lake City right now waiting for my flight to Albuquerque. I'm heading to sunny New Mexico to assist with some training for work. That's besides the point, I want to talk to you about my enjoyment in people watching. Most of the time I make sure I schedule my flights to have a short layover because that's not a lot to do in the whoreport. This time I didn't pay attention to my flight schedule so I have a 3 hour layover. LAME! I guess this gave me an opportunity to take my time by walking SlOwLy and keeping my eyes open for amazing "I can't believe I saw that" experiences. So far, this is what I've seen. There was a woman assisting a man by pulling him backwards down the hall in a makeshift wheelchair. Exciting I know. I have looked for Ryan Gosslin but I can imagine his star power wouldn't allow him to stroll through SLC airport without a gang of stalkers following. If I did, don't worry I'd offer to carry his shirt. What else...well there are two men sleeping across from me. That's fun! The old man a few rows away just answered his phone and it was a dog barking as the ring town. It's his wife calling. Nice choice for a ring tone gramps. Are you calling your wife a female dog with that ring tone or maybe that she barks at you?

I still have about two hours to go and without boring all of you, I'll just take mental notes of all the crazy conversations I hear or even all the interesting people I see. FYI gramps is now talking about tying his intestines to a feeding tube. I hope I sit next to him!

I'll be back friends! I'm sure there will be stories to tell while I'm in New Mexico.

Have a fabulous night!

9/11/2001

I woke up September 11, 2001 a little embarrassed to go to school because the night before some "professional" at a salon turned my hair orange. I popped on a sweatshirt fully intending to wear the hood all day or until one of my teachers asked me to take it off. Then my sister called, I ranted a little about my hair and realized she was crying. All she wanted to do is talk to mom. I continued to get ready for school when my mom came into the room very somber and explained the World Trade Center had been hit by planes. Let me be honest with you, I was young and I still thought about my hair. Upon arriving to school during most of the day, we sat with tv's on watching news coverage of the event. I feel like all of the United States was quite that day. People walked around in shock and disbelief not knowing what could be done to help. I've watched multiple programs that covered the events hour by hour on that day. I am truly amazed how many heros were born and rescued loved ones. It's a moment in history where I can tell you how proud I am to be an American. To have so many lives lost is terribly sad. For those who lost loved ones, I pray that you have come to peace.

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks and again, the United States is full of emotions. I am hoping that all those who have helped with the events from that day even to today know that in the eyes of this gal, you're a true American hero.

God bless all of you!

When you love a farmer

First let me tell you the difference between a farmer and a rancher. This is important because sometimes people will get FIRED up if you call them a farmer when they are ranchers or vice versa.

Farmer:
farm-er (noun)
A person who farms; person who operates a farm or cultivates land.

Rancher:
ranch-er (noun)
A person who owns or works on a ranch.
ranch (noun)

An establishment maintained for raising livestock under range conditions.

Do you get it? Farmers specialize in raising crops and ranchers specialize in raising animals. Now here's the confusing part...I call Shayne a farmer however at "the farm" there are also cows. What?! I know, I know. Shayne loves the farming part of his job. He enjoys cutting hay, baling it, stacking it, checking out some sweet grain and watching everything grow. He takes pride in the crops grown on the farm because it shows his dedication. When it comes to the cows, Shayne just deals with them. It comes with the job so as driven employee, he sucks it up and takes care of the cows. (I love the cows!!)

Let's talk about love now! Sick, I know.
Here are very important tips I've learned in the 3 years of dating this strapping fellow.
*A social life is not important.
*Washing his clothes separately is necessary.
*It doesn't phase you when there are hay and straw trails throughout the house.
*Due to the HUGE amount of calories burned in one day, expect to feed two or three grown men instead of one.
*Date night will include a trip to the farm.
*Don't expect to see them for more than a few hours a day during these times:

-Calving (December to March)
-Planting (Mayish)
-First cut of hay (July only last 2-3 days depending on weather)
-Second cut of hay (August)
-Harvest (August or September)
Included with harvest is bailing all the straw...another 2-3 days
-Third cut of hay (September)
-Prepping for cows to come back from the mountains aka hauling poo (I'll post about this when it happens) (Late September)
-Chopping corn into silage (Late September early October)
-Fall field work (October)

*Does it seem like he's always gone? Yeah, sometimes I feel that way.
*You get to help sharpen the blades in the mixer, grease tractors, hold bolts, etc.
*If there is only room for one in the tractor, he'll make room for two. Now that's love!
*Smooth hands? Forget it!
*He is tired all the time.
*Take advantage of the time off he has. Make the best of your time alone, together.
*When the answer is "we'll see" it usually means "probably not."
*If he says "I love you" he means it!

As an outsider not dating a farmer, you may think to yourself "how can you put up with that?" Let me be honest, it's not easy but it's worth all the work we've put into this relationship. This man works his tail off and he does it for a purpose not just a job. He tells me about wanting to provide for me and the future of our family. Cute I know! So believe me when I say, even if he works 80 hours a week and our only time together is at night, I know he loves me just the same. For me, it's totally worth dating this farmer! I tell you what, HE'S A KEEPER!

I love you Lane Frost!

Going bald for barley

Have you ever had to take a drug test? Most of the time when you work for a very important company, you are required to take a drug test prior to being hired. In some cases they preform random drug tests after you are hired as well. I agree that these test should happen because I'd rather not have a meth-head in charge of my IRS forms.

I started working for a very important company again a few weeks ago. Because I've worked for AB before, I knew that a drug test was part of the hiring process. No big deal, I'm clean. No drug use for this gal! When I took my form to the testing facility I should have noticed the first warning sign right away...I was at a chiropractor's office. Hummm...adjustment? Yes! Cup to pee in? Sure! So I sat and waited for my turn. While observing the office atmosphere, I realized that my chair that was a tan color, was not manufactured tan. It was supposed to be white! YUCK!

My turn! Warning sign 2: the gal in charge of my drug test was the assistant to the chiropractor.

Into the little room we went. A little small talk about the job and then she brought out the scissors. I knew I was having a hair sample taken because that's what happened the first time. However, I was unprepared for what was going to happen.

"I hope I'm not hurting you." as she grabs some hair and starts to twist it.
"Not at all. You're fine."
"I just need to get this as tight as I can so I can cut close to the follicle."
"Ok"
"You ready?"
SNIP! SNIP! snip...snip...snip...snip...snip...snip!
Don't you think that's a lot of snips just for a small hair sample? That's what I thought. Then I saw it. The GIANT CHUNK of hair she cut off my head. I said with shock, that's a lot of hair you just cut off. She chuckled and said, I now had a bald spot. Fan-freakin-tastic!

I was and still am traumatized by this situation. It's not a small area and doesn't she know that my hair will grow back sticking straight out? Now I'm going to be a rooster for a few years until I can get this spot to grow long enough. For now, I'm lucky that my hair covers the area.



I'll let you know when I start getting my rooster tuft sticking out. I would have gladly peed in a cup, had blood drawn or any other process of drug testing. But because of the very important company's rules and regulations, I am now missing a chunk of hair.

Bummer man!

Dear....

I might be a blogger idea stealer right now but this was a great idea. Today I need to write a few letters in regards to situations I've been put in lately.

Dear 4:15am alarm,
Gosh you sure do come quick. Most of the time I'm not happy when the time comes for you to YELL at me to wake up. Who goes to the gym that early? It's not safe to sleep walk and work out. I don't appreciate how I get a burst of energy around 10pm causing me to fall asleep about 11:30. Now I'm forced to have a debate when my alarm goes off, is it really worth it? In the future, can you please try to make it a little more pleasant to wake up before the sun?

Until next time,
your snooze button lover

Dear TCFS Sheriff,
Just because I show up to a SAR meeting in shorts and flip flops, sporting my blonde hair doesn't mean I'm stupid. I know how to start a 4-wheeler! Hello...I am dating someone who works on a farm and races quads. I have my own bitchin' equipment and I don't want to borrow your boring-ass helmet. I look forward to the day you praise my ability to fit in with all your powerhouse back country sheriffs. Until then, just remember never underestimate the power of a blonde.

See you soon baldie,
your new blonde-headed badass SAR friend

Dear Clark,
You've been such a great car and I love you so much. As you begin to age more, please remember that I need you to stay as healthy as possible. With this being said, quit trying to lock yourself throughout the night. You're wasting your energy. Once I click the lock button you can feel safe because no one will break in. Stay strong my extended cab Honda. I believe in you and your ability to reach 350,000 miles.

Love,
me

Dear Dee,
Just because my alarm goes off doesn't mean I want to wake up RIGHT NOW to feed you. You're not starving and I do not neglect you. Suck it up little girl! Don't forget we saved you from that evil man at the farm. You're one lucky kitten, don't make me send you to Grandpa Mikes.

Love,
Mom

Dear EICU,
I'm very impatient right now. I have wanted to be engaged for a long time now but have been distracted by your promise for a home loan. Please put aside all the other applicants and process Shayne's. I want to move into the new house and finally live in a home I can paint the walls! Hurry up!

From,
The disgruntled girlfriend of the loan applicant

Dear Lane Frost/Shaynie,
Thanks for always keeping me in line. I'm sorry that I love new furniture and all the jazzy things that can spice up the new house. I know that we don't need to have all new things when we first move in but I can't stop looking. You're an amazing BF and without you I'd be sad and stuck in a white wall apartment forever.

Love you!

Dear Readers,
You all totally rock! Thanks for reading my random and not-so-exciting blog. Sorry that I'm not a faithful poster but I'm really trying to improve my story-telling. I guess my life is more exciting that I realize.

Always yours,
me

I could probably write 24 letters but really it would get boring. I'm sure I'll have to do another blog like this in the future. After all, it's nice to get these things off my chest.

Have a great Tuesday!!

Let's talk barley

Happy Friday Friends!

When I moved to Idaho is the summer of 2007, I was given an internship at Anheuser-Busch to work harvest. Who knew that the internship would last for 2 years. During this time, I learned so much about barley and its role in producing beer for our horses. Haha! You know what I mean, just beer. I worked between the elevator which stores the grain and sends it to the malt house and I also worked at the seed plant. They clean the seed and treat it so it's fully prepared for planting in the spring. Just so you know, seed barley looks like regular barley. I spend the majority of my time at the elevator where I did everything. I loaded the trains, dumped trucks, entered data, checked fields, and graded barley. You see, it is BEYOND important that the barley is graded upon arrival to the elevator. If the grain does not fall into specifications it compromises the quality of the malt and the quality of your beer. When AB got bought out by Inbev, a German company and obviously they didn't care that I rocked the house with grading. Then layoffs started to take place, I knew I'd be the first to go. I was not considered a full-time employee so why keep me around. In January of 2009 they said auf wiedersehen and out the door I went.

Now that it's harvest time here in South East Idaho. This year, I'm back at Busch grading barley and helping with various tasks. I have been working a few hours a night then all day on Saturdays.

Because it's Friday and some people like to enjoy a nice cold one after work, I decided to go over how you grade barley. So, please join me as I cover a small step in producing beer.
-Farmers responsibilities-
1. Plant the grain
2. Water the grain
3. Watch the grain grow
4. Freak out when the wind blows, it rains or hails
5. Shut off the water
6. Watch the grain finish turning
7. Dust off the combine
8. Start thrashing
9. Take a truck full of barley to the elevator or personal storage bin

-AB responsibilities-
1. Probe truck

2. Listen to it get sucked up and put in this contraption

3. Take grain out of small hopper

4. Put a sample in the whole grader

This checks the protein and moisture. This is a VERY IMPORTANT STEP! With high protein and moisture, the barley is compromised for malting. The picture below has perfect protein and moisture.

5. Gather the test weight of the barley The test weight is how many pounds per bushel the grain is.

6. Take 250 grams and place it in the sifter This helps determine how plump and thin the barley is. Obviously the more plump the barley, the better chance of malting.

7. Determine skinned and broken barley When barley is skinned or broken, it will not be able to germinate. No germination=no malt. This step also helps identify any diseases.


When the barley comes straight from the field a lot of issues are eliminated however when farmers store their barley various problems could arise. They can get bugs and that is BAD BAD BAD! If it is a grain weevil it will cause SIGNIFICANT damage and will not be allowed at the elevator. To eliminate this, one must fumigate. If the grain is stored when it has high moisture, it will succumb to heat damage. If the grain gets wet or is wet when stored, it can sprout. Both heat and sprout will cause the grain not to germinate. The way to establish that the barley has heat, sprout or bugs is to pearl it. I don't have a picture because it is rare to pearl during harvest.

Now, the next time you take a sip from a AB product think "Celeste could have had a hand in making this yumm-o drink!" Just give it a few months first.

You're welcome!

My emotions have got the best of me

Previously I've written about my feelings towards animals. The dang calves that are so stinkin' cute. Kittens...ponies...you name it I usually adore them. (Please subtract any loving feelings for bears and spiders. Thank you.) This spring when the calves were born, I took in much love for a few that had some issues upon birth. Unfortunately, some of them have died. Two of my favorite are still kicking and were given the chance to stay at the farm all summer. If you ask me, that's like staying at a fine hotel. Helen and Rumpelstiltskin are living it up by the river munching on grass while watching the corn grow. Well, let me rephrase that, Rumpelstiltskin can see the corn but Helen can't. Poor Helen is blind. Her mother, Maryland, wears a cow bell so Helen always knows where she is at. Shayne tells me that Helen keeps getting out of the fence and freaks out because she can't find her mother. My heart breaks for Helen. Rumpelstiltskin is a 3-legged calf. She lost her leg due to foot rot. There is nothing else wrong with her and she gets along well. I'm hoping that her and Helen have developed a strong bond. Now, why are my emotions getting the best of me? Honestly, I love Helen. I want her to be my pet. I want to make her tame so we can pet her and she feels safe. It's getting close to the time where the calves need to be weaned. What is Helen going to do? She needs her mother, she needs to feel safe. I told Shayne's boss that if he ever plans on getting rid of her, I will buy her. Oh, Helen!
Next random emotion: I was grading some barley last night (another blog) and there was a lady bug in the sifter. I scooped it out and put it on the counter. Well Mr. Ladybug was injured, injured bad. I couldn't help but think this little bug didn't get to live to it's full potential. Okay, so now I'm going crazy.
What about the kitty kitty I feed when I house-sit? It's a barn kitty that only wants some petting. You can't pick kitty kitty up, just pet. The other day, I cut out three giant clumps of matted hair. Kitty kitty looks a lot happier. I just want to take her home but Charlie and Dee probably won't welcome her with open paws. More like open claws of death.
My hormones are off the charts. I'm not nesting, I'm not planning on having children any time soon. So what the heck? Compassion for a lady bug? I tell you what, these feelings better start to calm down. I can't save every creature that "needs to fulfill their dreams." I guess it's the circle of life. Again, I want you all to be aware if Helen dies, I will need a day of mourning.