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!!