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!