tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67795694462929609452024-03-13T06:27:20.342-05:00Barnyard Barbiebarnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-58727771416670768822017-10-31T11:07:00.000-05:002017-10-31T11:07:07.291-05:00Respect? Respect.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lately, I've noticed respect (or lack thereof) in the news, society, and in my personal life. I've asked people what it is and what it means to them, and each answer is somewhat different. So it got me to thinking, what is respect and how is it given? Taken? Earned? Those are all complex verbs with deep-rooted meanings that go back to childhood or something we may not even specifically remember.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what does Webster say it is?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">esteem</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">for</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">or</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">sense</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">worth</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">or</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">excellence</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">person,</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">a </span><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">personal</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">quality</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">or</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">ability,</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">or</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">something</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">considered</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">as</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">manifestation </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">personal</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">quality</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">or</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">ability:</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="dbox-example" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">I</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">have</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">great</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">respect</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">for</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">her</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">judgment.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="dbox-example" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="dbox-example" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-style: normal;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">deference</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">to</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">right,</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">privilege,</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">privileged</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">position,</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">or</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">someone</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">or </span><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">something</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">considered</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">to</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">have</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">certain</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">rights</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">or</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">privileges;</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">proper </span><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">acceptance</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">or</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">courtesy;</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">acknowledgment:</span></span><div class="def-block def-inline-example" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #979797; font-style: normal;">
<span class="dbox-example" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">respect</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">for</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">suspect's</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">right</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">to</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">counsel;</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">to</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">show</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">respect</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">for</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">flag;</span><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">respect</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">for</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">elderly.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="dbox-example" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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Let's discuss the second. Deference to a right or privilege. Some would say this is respect for the elderly, a superior at work, religious leader, the flag, etc. That the person or item deserves deference and respect. How do we learn that? The elderly might slap you over the head for not opening the door or give you the "don't make me wash that mouth out with soap" look, but there's no written sign saying so. How do we learn respect? That little word with so much behind it.</div>
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Growing up, my Dad demanded respect. And that was a period at the end of the sentence, not a question mark. It wasn't "no music or TV at the supper table?" it was "no music or TV at the supper table." No discussion, no meeting to hear both sides, period, no discussion. Cussing in the house? LOL. If he was still alive, I still don't think I could cuss in from of him in fear of what might happen. It was his house, his rules. Once you were out on your own and paid your own bills, fine, but it was his house, his rules. Period, no question. That's how I grew up, and I how have in innate respect for superiors, other people's houses, and their house rules. If I know someone doesn't drink, I don't show up with my vodka and crystal light sippy cup. That's just the way I am. If I have a superior that I disagree with, I still respect the position, because they are still my superior. </div>
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But that leaves two groups of people, those that believe in "my house, my rules" and those that don't understand that. And the 2 groups of thought don't understand the other. One group will continue to do whatever they want because, they can. And the other group will say, what? </div>
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Disrespect to me, is something that strikes me to the core and something I inherently abhor. To disrespect me or my family, makes my inner being pull on armor and want to fight. Will that ever change in me? I doubt it. Will I ever not think "my house, my rules" probably not. Will that make some people mad? At this point in my life, I really don't care. To come into my house and disrespect me or my family, gets a person a free ticket elsewhere. And that's a period, not a question.</div>
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barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-4774573353555104432017-07-11T13:44:00.001-05:002017-07-11T13:44:31.970-05:00Does fear interfere with life?Lately, I've noticed a lot of people living in fear "Oh I couldn't do that" "I can't take the vacation day" "I've always wanted to do that" "Yeah someday". What?!? I am around the elderly and their families quite a bit and here is a quick list things I've <u>NEVER </u>heard from old people:<br />
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<li>I shouldn't have taken the grandkids to Disney</li>
<li>I'm glad I didn't use any of my paid vacation days</li>
<li>Going on a cruise and seeing a whale was not worth it</li>
<li>Stopping at that fair and trying a fried cinnamon roll wasn't worth it</li>
<li>I shouldn't have had chocolate sauce on that sundae</li>
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These are the things I normally hear:</div>
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<li>I will always remember the car I went cruising with my wife in</li>
<li>Holding my grandbabies never gets old</li>
<li>I think I will start with dessert</li>
<li>I'm glad I went on that fishing trip with my old man before he had a stroke and couldn't go anymore</li>
<li>My girlfriends and I danced on the bar!</li>
<li>Oh the things we would do</li>
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Live life folks. It so short! Don't let fear interfere with that. We only get so many trips around the sun before we transition into the next. Vacation days, memories, money, we can't take any of that with us. Go to old folks and tell your what ifs to an old person. They will hmph hmph and whack you with a cane and say "get some sense in that fool head" and to get going. Live life. </div>
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barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-16181367087788164372017-05-10T21:41:00.000-05:002017-05-10T21:41:44.857-05:00How close are nursing and waiting tables???Is nursing just waiting tables? I do realize there are stark differences, but seriously 10 years of waiting tables was probably one of the most important learning experiences to being a nurse. Here are a few of the similarities :-)<br />
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1. You have your "section" with no real power of decision who gets into it. Whether its a 3-table section, 5 med-surg rooms, etc. You don't get to pick and choose who gets waited on; it truly is the luck of the draw. And the ability to remember that table 93 needed more ranch, table 92's food should be up, the antibiotic is done in 42, 39 needed more pain meds, etc, etc. That mental list of what all those people need in your section.<br />
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2. Some people patients/patrons will NEVER be happy. Their steak was cooked perfectly, their incisions are healing great, the ambiance was perfect, whatever. These people are still not happy and will find something to complain about. The bruise on their little toe is a 10/10 pain. The ice water is too cold. It's always something. <br />
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3. On the other hand, those people that have a legitimate reason to complain, will be, eh its ok. Sure my steak is a little overdone (visibly WD when ordered M) or their pain is from metastatic cancer to the bones and brain and they rate their pain a 5/10. They will roll with the punches and not complain. God bless those people, for real.<br />
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4. Pockets. A server or nurse's pockets are a treasure trove of chapstick, change, straws, and maybe, just maybe a pen. Why do people think the companies supply those things? <br />
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5. Co-workers. Waiting tables and nursing, leads to a very close relationship with co-workers. Whether its the hot expo line and someone yelling they need help carrying a 10-top out or someone calling to bring extra wipes and a change of linens to the room, there is a certain closeness there. Maybe its dealing with people. And believe me, watching some people eat is just as gross as changing their dirty britches. Whatever it is, the "this is so crazy, we just have to laugh", is true in both fields. <br />
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6. You get to see all kinds of humanity. Sometimes we get comfy in our social bubble and forget about the people we don't see. The poor, the trashy, the have no hygiene, don't know how to tip, don't realize a hospital is not a hotel, the uneducated, the rude, etc, etc. Those people will show up and interact with the server or nurse. It is an eye-opening experience to really see how people live.<br />
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7. Families. Lord help us. Waiting on a table with 20 family members was torture for me. The well what's grandma getting, we need to make sure she eats first, how is the bill being split, can we split grandma's bill between the 8 grandkids, can she read the menu, somebody order for her. Schwoo! The families that are in denial about what grandma's wishes clearly state in her living will. The families that have fights bedside when grandma is sick. Seriously, maybe its something that should be discussed in private or before you get to the restaurant. <br />
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8. The bossy family member. The spouse that has to order for their spouse, and even when asking the quiet spouse "would you like ranch on your salad?" jumps in and says "she'll take french". Excuse you, I believe she can talk. The family member that says "she doesn't need more pain meds" when obviously in pain. Seriously? Remove your ego from the situation and focus on the person.<br />
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9. The always need something more person. When I waited tables, I would always ask, "need anything else with the meal?" Invariably, people would respond, more ranch, butter, napkins, pop, whatever. Then there are those people that can't think of everything at once. I need more ranch. Come back with ranch. Oh I need more butter. Come back, Oh I need more napkins. OOOKKKK anyyythiing else I can bring you with the meal? Same thing with nursing. I always ask "is there anything else I can do for you?" Same thing. Those people that make you run back and forth, oh I see through what you're doing. More ice, another pop, another pillow, warm blanket, and the channel changed, anything else? This girl was not born yesterday.<br />
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10. The people. I love people, the variety, the never really know what you're going to get with a new table or patient. Seriously waiting tables was the best training ever for nursing. So happy nurse's week to all my fellow comrades who clean dirty britches, deal with all the above, and still manage to smile :-)barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-39689407864292822082017-01-13T19:18:00.000-06:002017-01-13T19:18:18.844-06:00Thy Will Be Done<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So almost 3 years ago, I decided to change things up and completely switch careers to nursing. I put things into God's hands and was like "OK God, if this is where you want me, it will work out." And let me tell you, when God wants you on a path, He will move mountains to make sure that path is clear. Like a bulldozer with a spirited bucket! Here are some of the highlights:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really wanted to get into Butler, they are the highest passing rate NCLEX school in the area, well respected by hospitals, and hard to get in to. Like 25% of the people that apply get in. Admission is numbers based, whichever 56 applicants have the highest grades in certain classes, test scores, etc. get in, and about 200-300 apply every semester. Woof! But, along I went in on this ride. Started taking prerequisite classes and dusted up on my studying skills. This old brain was a little rusty, but in October of 2014, I received that wonderful letter saying I was accepted. Woot! Woot! Now the fun can really begin!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first semester clinical rotation, I was assigned to a nursing home. Well, I was already a CNA, so what was I really going to learn? Butler has a very strict policy of what they say goes, but in my heart I knew I was not supposed to be there. I spoke with the lead instructor and she basically laughed at me. The next class, she comes up to me and says one of the other students can't be at this hospital, could you trade? Well yes I can! She said it's your lucky day, I said, I believe in God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second semester was labor and delivery and pediatrics. God thought He would be oh so funny and give me a little real world experience and sent us Catherine. Hahahahaha. Try being in nursing school hearing about all the bad things that can happen to "elderly" mothers. Then in my rotation for c-section deliveries, the patient I was supposed to work with, didn't want a student. Funny. Turns out I had to have a c-section, and I'm pretty sure if I had seen one, I would have been ANXIOUS! God 3, Christi 0.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another funny thing, my due date was May 9, my final for nursing 3rd semester was May 10. Hahahaha. I told my instructors what was going on and what the possibilities were. Well, as long as I finished clinically, I could take an incomplete in the class, finish over the summer, and then catch back up with my classmates in August. So on I went. Third semester clinicals are broken up into 2 sections, ICU/acute care and then behavioral health. Not saying behavioral health isn't important, but of the 2, ICU/acute is much more physically demanding. And what was my rotation? ICU/acute care first, then behavioral health. So there I was 9 months pregnant going to behavioral health therapy sessions. Everyone was most kind, funny, and incredulous that I was so close to my due date. But, I finished clinically on Tuesday May 3, and I hadn't missed once! In fact, in my whole tenure at Butler Nursing, I never missed a clinical hour. Yes, I would like a cookie for perfect attendance (lol!). On Wednesday, the 4th, we went in for our regular appointment and were admitted to the hospital. On Thursday, Catherine was delivered via c-section, On Sunday we were dismissed, on Monday I took a make-up test, and on Tuesday the 10th I took the final. Woof. God 10, Christi 0. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fourth semester was especially difficult for me. The material is harder, more clinical days, and this cute 10-pound bundle of joy that didn't seem to interested in assisting with studying neuro dysfunction, endocrine, or musculoskeletal disease processes. But on I went. My clinical location and clinical instructor were great allowing me to use the pumping room, so I could reach my goal of 6 months. I was a student, what did the location care if I did or not, but they welcomed me and Ethel (my trusty Medela pump). Somehow I made it through the semester without failing. Was it my greatest academic achievement? Nope, but I made it! God 30, Christi 0.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I passed NCLEX!!! Along this whole journey, being a CNA -> CMA -> LPN, and finally RN, God has been there right along with me. His Hands have been there the whole time. There were so many times I would be crying all the way home, wondering how I was going to make it, but I did. God is so good. There are so many stories of my interactions with residents and patients, that I KNOW this is where I am supposed to be. Nursing is what I am supposed to do. I can talk to anybody, I cut the crap, and am kind of bossy. Which all tends to work out when caring for someone. This is the ministry I am supposed to do. I have never been so certain of something in my life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I played around for about 3 months with the idea of a tattoo, 'Thy will be done". Drawing it on my hand, asking people for ideas about tattoos, etc. And I finally did it! I wanted it next to my hands, just as God has had His Hands on me this whole journey, I will now have my hands on people. And it is what I am supposed to do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope people ask me about it, I hope I can share His story while changing their britches, telling them the importance of taking their pills, and holding their hand when they pass away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God is so good and I am His servant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amen!</span><br />
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<br />barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-21834307932876547992014-04-27T13:37:00.001-05:002014-04-27T13:40:07.085-05:00Time to Change Things UpSo just like the changing Kansas weather, my life is in the cycle of change again. I had been working as an event coordinator at a facility and things haven't been working for the best. Then I got to thinking about what I really want in life and what is important to me. Hmmm, well most importantly faith, my loving husband, our wonderful farm, family, friends, the ability to be involved in my random committees--are just a few of the top 5. (Everyone should do a top 5 in their life every now and then--its a great way to refocus priorities). Well not having a consistent schedule and always being "on call" were just some of the reasons my happiness level decreased. Not having a consistent schedule did make my relationships with friends suffer, because while other people were having fun, I was at work. So what would make me happy? Hmm consistency, the going into work, doing the job, and not having to check email or text messages after work, more money, several things led me on the path to nursing. Living on the farm has definitely made my "gross-factor" almost non-existent. So I started researching, what would it take? What do those closest to me think about it? Hmm.<br />
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Well my wonderful sister was able to give me the opportunity of a job shadow at her health care facility, and I wasn't shocked or awed about it. It was basically like waiting tables, but caring for them, not just their food. Hmm, I could do this. And as my mom so wonderfully pointed out, "I'm so happy for you--you've been unhappy for a while. You've always wanted to help people." Maybe I have. I want the best for people, and will do whatever is in my power to make that happen. As an event coordinator, I made every effort to have the event run seamlessly and without stress for the client. Waiting tables, I anticipated needs before they were asked (sometimes--people are a wildcard). So maybe this is the right path for me :-)<br />
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So I enrolled in pre-requisites, enrolled in a CNA class, and quit my job. Wow! This summer I will be take A&P, then take the TEAS test (nursing school admission test), then apply for nursing school (and God willing!) get in! So far the whole process has fallen into place, so hopefully this is the direction the Big man has in mind for me :-) Pray for me :-) This a crazy new adventure!<br />
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The song of my life right now is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEKLFS-aKcw">Let it Go!</a>barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-60702870373254423642013-08-14T15:22:00.000-05:002013-08-14T15:22:18.183-05:00And Jack makes three.....So last Friday I'm in the house and get a text msg from J: <em>Got a new dog</em>. Hmm..seriously reminded me of the Discover commercial where the woman says, the husband went out for milk and came back with a puppy. Yeah, that was my moment. I go outside and here is this little man:<br />
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Someone had (we think) dumped him. J found him in the middle of the road about a mile south of our house. He called around to see if anyone was missing him--nope! No tag, no collar, nothing really identifying him at all. We think he's a Jack Russell Terrier mix, but who knows. He's still in the puppy play stage, but he is housebroken! Bonus! The only downside so far...he is a runner! Schwoo! That night we let him out to do his business and he decides to go for a midnight run...on the highway! I'm chasing after him in the dark, running on the highway in flip-flops. I see livestock semi's go by and pray don't let him become street pizza. St Francis of Assisi really should have been my patron saint because he was not harmed at all. Ugh.<br />
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We named him Jack, for Uncle Si off Duck Dynasty:<br />
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I like to think its Jack from Will and Grace--Just Jack:<br />
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The name has many derivatives: Jack Daniels, Jack Link, Linky Man, Jack Sprat, Jack Sparrow. This poor dog is going to end up with an identity crisis.<br />
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I do think he was abused or mistreated in his previous life (those people should be shot!). Whenever a collar is put on him he cowers down and doesn't move and his whole persona changes--so weird. Walking him on a lead he tries to chew the lead away. But I'm working with him and trust will come with time. <br />
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So now we have 3 dogs...seriously we are one elephant short of a circus. Gunnar (the lab) doesn't really pay attention to Jack, but Jose (Chihuahua) definitely is not taking the other sibling well. He pouts alot, but he will get over it as time goes by. <br />
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Jack has wormed his way into our hearts (especially J's)....I foresee them riding in trucks/tractors/combines in the future. LOL. Here he is below checking out a wheat header in the combine...ummhmmm. <br />
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barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-67447085859862141012013-07-01T16:13:00.000-05:002013-07-01T16:13:39.593-05:00Welcome Baby!So last year, when the hubs and I embarked on our mini-donkey buying experience (he would say he followed along--lol) we bought Charlotte to go with Lucky in November. The breeder said she was not bred/pregnant. Well Lucky was young enough that he couldn't be able to or not know what was going on for another year. We figured we had a good 2 years before baby would be possible. Mini-donkeys gestate for a year! Can you imagine?!?! Well a couple of months later, I noticed she was getting a little chunky in the mid-section. So I call the breeder back and ask if she could be pregnant. No, she hadn't been exposed, blah blah blah. Fine fine. And how do you really preg-check a donkey anyway--have her pee on a stick? LOL. So we just went along with she was just a chunky-monkey. Until....I noticed her udders starting to bag a couple of weeks ago. (Bag or bagging is a term with cows, donkeys, probably horses and tons of other mammals where the udders fill and look swollen). Hmmm--suspicious! Then I noticed her teats getting longer! Hmmm--double suspicious!! Well I consulted the good ol' Donkey dictionary and it said that after a Jennie (girl donkey) starts to bag, expect baby in 4-6 weeks. So the hubs says we have another 2-4 weeks. Well guess who got a surprise when I went to do chores this morning! Hello baby!<br />
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I run in and tell Jeremy she had her baby!!! Baby had somehow managed to get on the outside of the pen. The others in the pen were Arnold (bottle calf) and Lucky. Arnold was all bouncing around trying to figure out what was going on and Lucky was wondering what the thing was. So I pulled those 2 into a separate pen and lifted baby up and put it into the pen with Charlotte. Yes, I keep saying "it" because I don't know whether its a boy or girl. I looked underneath and I didn't see anything identifying boy/girl. Baby is about 18" tall and weighs about 30 pounds, and has 4 hooves and 2 big ears.<br />
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So I like to think that Charlotte was a BOGO, buy one get one free :-) Yes, we will never know who the Daddy was (sad commentary on our times really), but at least it has a good home now :-)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How cute!?!? Yes that's my finger...was trying to get it to pose.</td></tr>
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barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-32096131761732445392013-05-08T16:54:00.000-05:002013-05-08T16:54:19.036-05:00Tequila CookiesHeading to a Cinco de Mayo party, I wondered about a great dessert to take. (Mexican Wedding Cookies seemed a little too labor intensive). So I had this brilliant idea of Tequila Cookies...and were they tasty!<br />
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Here's what you need:<br />
French Vanilla or white cake mix<br />
1/2 cup butter softened<br />
2 eggs<br />
2 tbsp veg oil<br />
1ish tsp tequila<br />
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Lime frosting (add a little tequila to that too)<br />
Sea salt<br />
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Mix butter, eggs, oil, and tequila. Add cake mix. Drop by cookie scoop onto sheet and bake at 350 until golden (probably 8-12 minutes, but I really don't know because I don't use a timer).<br />
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Once they have cooled, schmear the lime frosting on the bottom of one of the cookies and then smush another cookie on top. Roll the edges in a salt. When you bite into the cookie the salt and lime mix with the slight tequila flavor. Yummo!<br />
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barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-37678689569590024542013-05-06T14:53:00.001-05:002013-05-06T14:53:47.145-05:00Jiggle the Juice LooseSo we got another bottle calf! Yeah! Or so I thought before I tried feeding 2 calves at the same time. <br />
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So this little guy's momma's milk dried up and he subsequently got sick. Sometimes a cow's milk will dry up for various reasons--pretty sure this one is just old age--she done! LOL. Anyways, grab this little guy and head to the barn. Arnold has a roomie! Well this calf was already 3 weeks old and used to getting milk from a big black momma cow and not some crazy person in pink boots. So it was a challenge getting Sylvester (I named him Sylvester because he's kind of sly....) to take the bottle. Plus there's Arnold all up in my business, "But Momma that bottle's for me!" Schwoo! Yesterday I got them to feed at the same time! DOUBLE-BAM! Two bottles, two hands, two calves....oh its a party in the barn! I have supreme respect for human mothers of twins! Can't even imagine. <br />
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Another challenge with 2 calves is that Arnold finishes his bottle before Sylvester and starts doing his thing....the bump to jiggle the juice loose. Calves will head-butt their momma's udders to jiggle the juice loose for more milk....well there's a slight disparity in the situation that I don't have udders and head-butting me there isn't the most pleasant thing in the world. Maybe that's why J gave the bottle-feeding job to me--LOL. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here they are--aren't they precious?</td></tr>
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Bottles need handles on them though...those things get slippery!<br />
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<br />barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-46521539115879373202013-05-02T15:05:00.000-05:002013-05-02T15:05:19.550-05:00The Skinny on Lifeproof Phone CoversSo the hubs and I both got iPhones within the last 3 or 4 months--he got the Lifeproof cover, I got the Otterbox. He was sold on the Lifeproof cover when the AT&T person said it could be dumped in water and still work. Being a farmer, things in pockets have a habit of taking a swim in horse tanks, mud puddles, poo, getting dropped from tractors, etc, etc. Until last week, the cover and phone had already taken a dip in the horse tank and puddle--but the biggest test was a 15-foot drainage tile well. <br />
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So we have drain tiles around our foundation to keep the water out (I don't quite understand how it works) but anyways a sump pump is on the outside of the house and pumps water out of this 18" PVC pipe out into the yard. Great, great. Well until the hubs hooks the pump back together and his phone takes a triple somersault nose-dive into the bottom of the well. Uh-oh. He considered the phone gone to the world, while I tried unsuccessfully to get it out for about 30 min.<br />
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Fast forward to the next night and the hubs has devised a brilliant plan to retrieve said phone from the bottom of the well. Parts of the plan include: garden hoe, garden hose, gorilla tape, keystone light, and a flashlight. He rigged up the garden hose to another sump to suck water out, while trying to grab the phone with a hoe gorilla taped to a steel post. I said this was a brilliant plan. Part of the problem was that as soon as the water would get sucked out, more water would come in from the drain tiles and fill it back up and we would lose track of where the phone was. Sure enough though, we spotted the phone and tried scooping it out. After a couple of tries, me working the sump pump/hose contraption and J working the garden hoe/gorilla tape thing, we managed to get it out. AND IT WORKED! The phone was still on! After being at the bottom of a well for 24+ hours--it was fine. Now the faceplate is a little scratched from the hoe attacking it, but other than that--works like a champ!<br />
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So if you have a farmer friend or person who is accident prone--get a Lifeproof case! They are worth it!barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-7888598491379294902013-05-01T15:25:00.000-05:002013-05-01T15:25:34.517-05:00How To Wrangle a BullA couple of months ago, after one of our infamous snowfalls, I got to wrangle a bull....<br />
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So J was feeding cows in the tractor and somehow Weird Al got out and decided he wanted to play in the snow. Well Weird Al is a pretty tame and nonchalant bull most of the time. I don't get worried when I have to get in the pen with him or walk beside him in the pasture. However, in the snow, he was kind of like a Labrador retriever...just a REALLY big one. I'm sure you all have seen dogs play in the snow, rolling around, trying to catch it, rolling around in it some more, lick it, shake it off when it gets on their fur. Well take that amount of frivolity times 250--schwoo! So here I am and I see Weird Al running into the snow bank. Hugh (the other bull who was in the pen) starts howling at him and Weird Al gets agitated and starts howling back, all the while rolling around in the snow. I run over the fence, over another fence, hop through the corral, and head to the barn. Weird Al by this time had wondered over to the barn with the grain bin, thinking he had struck gold. But the other implements and another snow bank got his attention, so off he went again. I am freaking out trying to wave at J--wondering how far Weird Al was going to run around and what he was going to run into. Well I grabbed a white bucket and filled it with grain and got into the mini-donkey pen. (Lucky and Charlotte were inside the barn) and waved my grain-bucket carrot stick at Weird Al, hoping he would see me and smell the grain. He rambles over and I dump some on the ground and he licks it up, then starts howling when its gone. Well I hang over the corral fence with my magic bunk and somehow lure him into the pen, once he gets through the gate, I shut it and throw the rest of the grain on the ground. **heart beating at overtime speed!** Schwoo! J comes back around and sees me with the grain bucket and goes what's going on...oh nothing much just captured a 2500 lb bull by myself....barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-46156514033182235272013-05-01T15:11:00.002-05:002013-05-01T15:11:55.712-05:00God Made a Farmer's WifeSaw this the other day and totally loved it! And had to share :-)<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQknnkXsRjI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQknnkXsRjI</a>barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-75421180331740693072013-04-19T15:19:00.001-05:002013-04-19T15:19:25.395-05:00Barnyard Barbie's Guide for Going on Vacay with a FarmerSo a while ago I blogged on <a href="http://barnyardbarbie.blogspot.com/2012/10/barnyard-barbies-guide-to-dating-farmer.html">Guide to Dating a Farmer</a>--well now it's time for Barnyard Barbie's Guide to Going on Vacay with a Farmer.<br />
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Going on vacation may seem like a wonderful idea--warm weather, cold drinks, relaxation, shopping, rejuvenation, etc, etc. Well...unless you're married to a farmer and have to plan one. First hurdle--who's going to look after all the critters while we're gone? I mean turning the lights on a timer is great and all--but who's going to feed Arnold twice a day; check on the cows; feed cows; feed the donkeys; let the chickens out; collect chicken eggs; feed the bulls; water all said creatures; etc, etc? These are our livelihood and critters and it takes a little more than a neighbor collecting your mail responsibility. The list takes up a full page of notes and details of where to get water and feed sacks, etc. <br />
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Then comes the big question of when? Because getting your farmer off the farm is the goal! Looking at a calendar here are the options, I have scored each one according to the Magic Eight Ball, because sometimes the Magic Eight Ball is a better predictor than Kansas weather :-)<br />
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January--<em>Don't count on it </em>Calving starts, can't leave those cows alone in the cold<br />
February--<em>My reply is no </em>Calving continues<br />
March--<em>Better not tell you now</em><br />
April--<em>Reply hazy, try again!</em> How's the weather? has corn been planted? Has corn seed been delivered? If it hasn't, chances are better on getting your farmer off the farm. If the seed is delivered, dream on.<br />
May--<em>My sources say no!</em> Between other grain planting and moving cows to greener pastures (literally), there won't be much time for you and your farmer.<br />
June--<em>Very doubtful!</em> Not only will you not get your farmer to go on vacation--you probably won't even see him at all<br />
July--<em>Very doubtful!</em> As nice as cold water and cold drinks sound, cutting down hay and hauling hay will keep you and your farmer busy.<br />
August--<em>Concentrate and ask again. </em><br />
September--<em>Don't count on it</em>. Harvest of corn will keep you both busy.<br />
October--<em>Ask again later.</em> Chances are dependent on the weather--is it raining? Your chances of a getaway are better than if its dry.<br />
November--<em>Concentrate and ask again.</em> Moving cattle to their winter homes will take some time. Cleaning all equipment for winter storage will leave your farmer frustrated that XYZ bearing went out AGAIN. <br />December--Who has time to vacay in December? LOL<br />
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So once you have conned some lucky individual into watching your critters AND chosen a time that your farmer can leave--you have vacation time! Woot woot!<br />
barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-69740158717390445602013-04-11T16:03:00.000-05:002013-04-11T16:03:30.478-05:00Lean In or Lean Back?
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve been following the dialogue of Sheryl Sandberg’s
theory/book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lean-In-Women-Work-Will/dp/0385349947">Lean In</a>. It is very
interesting stuff and I commend her for writing the book and expressing her
opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do agree that women need to Lean
In more and not to stay quiet during board meetings or to not not apply for a promotion
because we’re pregnant, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea
that we (as women) need to <em>Lean In</em> to our careers is a good one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except for one thing…what if we want to lean
into something else besides our careers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Someone once told me to work towards what you want your end of the day
to look like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does that look
like?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it furiously typing emails into
an Ipad?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it tucking children into
bed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it bottle-feeding calves?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it a ritual with a spouse?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or happy hour with girlfriends?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or some great combo of all?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What do we want our end of the day to look like?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And does that require us to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lean In</i> to our careers or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lean Back</i>?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/28q2d_VpS7nmHhx9PvrlBUnXcKhZFP6osR6apW0Ul8SVSh_5YJ5Lm0qgjxrxIxneZES8v1sC-Rc6_BlV4Dtmj8xASos2gKJqOo0NjEwUdbtMEsBX" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/28q2d_VpS7nmHhx9PvrlBUnXcKhZFP6osR6apW0Ul8SVSh_5YJ5Lm0qgjxrxIxneZES8v1sC-Rc6_BlV4Dtmj8xASos2gKJqOo0NjEwUdbtMEsBX" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great pic from fellow blogger, <a href="http://momontherange.com/">http://momontherange.com/</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I was training servers, there were those very gifted,
confident people that had no problems walking up to a table of strangers and
telling them the featured item for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Others had a sense of apprehension at the table and would physically
lean into the table stressed that they would miss something or mess up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are an experienced server, you
recognize this immediately dining somewhere, and think “how cute, they’re new”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would coach the trainees to physically lean
back and relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lean back and relax with
the table—apprehension is contagious and your guests will feel it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be confident, relaxed, and sure of what you’re
doing (or do your best to fake it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
better to have the table laugh with you on a FUBR, than laughing at you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we contemplate how we want our end of the day to look—what
if <em>leaning back</em> is <em>leaning in</em> to what we want it to really look like?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Check out some of this years calves and their mommas:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I call him Picasso...look at his little face!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z9lgBQU3bKE/UUMwtDkVNpI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/kxZ7xhn7i8E/s1600/IMG_0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z9lgBQU3bKE/UUMwtDkVNpI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/kxZ7xhn7i8E/s320/IMG_0137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muhammad and her little guy...doesn't she look like a buffalo?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_lctG_y30K0/UUMxAGabPjI/AAAAAAAAAaM/DC9K54eLT8w/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_lctG_y30K0/UUMxAGabPjI/AAAAAAAAAaM/DC9K54eLT8w/s320/IMG_0154.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I call him Si--look at his little white beard--LOL</td></tr>
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barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-18014297148463564512013-03-09T07:47:00.000-06:002013-03-09T07:48:02.941-06:00Muhammad Strikes Again!So does anyone remember meeting Muhammad last year? Here's the link for a refresher :-) <a href="http://barnyardbarbie.blogspot.com/2012/03/saythats-not-milk-cow.html">"Say thats not a milk cow"</a><br />
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The other night I get home a little early--ahh what a wonderful feeling! I get the opportunity to walk around and talk to the animals and see what's going on. Sometimes I really feel like a cow-lesbian because I check all their lady-parts to see how close they are to calving...but that's another blog. So there's a cow hanging around looking all fishy and acting like she's going to calf. Ok, fine. I walk around for a little bit, she walks around for a little bit, I wish I had binoculars to see what was really going on, but oh well. I head for the barn, but still keep one-eye on this cow (something told me she was going to have issues). She finally lays down and starts calving and licking the little girl off. Wonderful! I'm talking to my bestie on the phone and start walking over to make sure everything is on the up and up. Well, the cow and calf are on one side of the creek (which FINALLY has water in it again! AMEN!) and I'm on the other. All of a sudden the cow starts head-butting the calf..."I'm going to have to call you back." Flashback to a year ago the same cow was pummeling her poor calf...and this year she's right by a creek! I run around the creek and come up between the Muhammad and the creek, hoping she would back off and calm down. Um, no, no such luck. She's more of a 1-2-3 punch kind of mom, 1 lick, 2 lick, 3 punch, 1 lick, 2 lick, 3 punch. This poor calf is trying to stand up only to get knocked down and around by her momma. Not going well. I try to get the calf to stand on her own and move away from the creek. Well that kind of works...until Muhammad lays down The Chair (sorry only wrestling move I could think of) and pummels the calf into the creek bed. Eeek!!! I scramble down the creek bed and try to brace myself against something so the calf and me both don't go for a swim. Which is no easy task when you combine mud, a slippery slope, a 80-lb calf with fluid still on it, me, and Muhammad giving us the death stare from the top. Hmph. Call the hubs, um yeah, need some help. He comes over pulls the calf up and a good 20 feet from the creek and we watch to see what Muhammad will do. Back to her antics....barn time for her! So I wait in the pasture for J to bring the truck, keeping on eye on crazy momma and calf. Can somebody bring a girl her drink? I'm in the pasture and wearing pink coveralls watching a crazy cow--you can't miss me! LOL. J brings the truck and we load up the calf and Muhammad follows us to the barn. We lock them up and assist in the milking process. Next morning, she's all fine...its that first 12 hours after birth that Muhammad is a crazy b*tch! It's never dull on the farm...LOL.barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-7044721844828464032013-03-06T17:12:00.000-06:002013-03-06T17:12:35.695-06:00Twins!What a crazy month it has been! I don't know whether I'm coming or going (hopefully I'm not the only person that feels this way sometimes). It has been calving season and those little critters are so cute! And we had our first set of twins! Yeah! Well, I said yeah, J so oh no. Why? I knew we would have a bottle/bucket calf and was excited--a first time experience for me. J is more of the "I'm not in 4-H anymore, been there, done that" kind of attitude. Normally a cow will not accept both of the calves, so without bottle feeding the cast-off will perish. So we get to take care of Arnold (more on the naming process later).<br />
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So what does it take to bottle feed a calf? Patience and lots of dried milk replacer :-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tq4-edtMBrY/UTfHJkbFCdI/AAAAAAAAAYk/TdalbCUiSEg/s1600/IMG_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tq4-edtMBrY/UTfHJkbFCdI/AAAAAAAAAYk/TdalbCUiSEg/s320/IMG_0089.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanner's cup? Not quite--the milk replacer comes with its own measuring cup--how cool is that?!?!?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And of course the directions. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DOugy04EBMA/UTfHpt34zCI/AAAAAAAAAY4/DJleysyLzMg/s1600/IMG_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DOugy04EBMA/UTfHpt34zCI/AAAAAAAAAY4/DJleysyLzMg/s320/IMG_0092.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little mixing action with some warm water (this lil guy gets 4 cups at each serving right now)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cB_6zYKF3Jo/UTfIdwFfzrI/AAAAAAAAAZA/t1hy6trBWFc/s1600/IMG_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cB_6zYKF3Jo/UTfIdwFfzrI/AAAAAAAAAZA/t1hy6trBWFc/s320/IMG_0088.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here's me feeding Arnold. It took him a while to realize that the goods came from the bottle--but now he comes right up :-) He can guzzle the 4 cups in about 2 minutes. J says when he gets a few weeks older the amount will go up to 8 cups. Arnold gets fed in the morning and in the evening. Calves (like all babies) need the nutrients in milk until they can rely totally on solid food.<br />
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So how did J come up with Arnold as a name? Does anybody remember this movie?</div>
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Well as it turns out, Arnold is the much bigger calf, and well Danny is the runt. LOL.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iywm4Z9P4UQ/UTfMnA-i1MI/AAAAAAAAAZM/21MQASTPuC4/s1600/danny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iywm4Z9P4UQ/UTfMnA-i1MI/AAAAAAAAAZM/21MQASTPuC4/s320/danny.jpg" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still a little cutie, but weighs about 20 lbs less than Arnold. But the momma wanted the lil guy.</td></tr>
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barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-64101779413121375812013-02-06T12:20:00.000-06:002013-02-06T12:20:47.989-06:00175 and Weird Al Were Getting Real Friendly...and other random text messages This could be my favorite time of the year! Its calving time! Its that time of year when I walk around and talk to the cows (wait...I do that all the time!), but really check them to see if they're about ready to calve, had a calf, general whatevers. Actually I just promoted myself to Animal Wellness Director of the farm--LOL! Anyways, I tend to watch them and notice the good, bad, and weird things with them--it doesn't hurt that they let me get pretty close to them. I think they just love the flower boots and pink coveralls :-) When I notice something, I send both J and his Dad (father-in-law, FNL) a text. They go something like this:<br />
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175 and Weird Al were getting real friendly (ie they were getting busy and maybe there will be another calf in 284 days)<br />
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852 has one of those lump jaws (ie. a tennis ball sized tumor thing--no biggie, just needs lanced)<br />
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Heinze has the weird white eye going on<br />
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We are out of grain<br />
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063 had her calf! its a boy!<br />
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Etc, etc. <br />
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At these times I think--what did we do without text messaging? And did my FNL realize he would get this crazy daughter-in-law that would relay these crazy observations? LOL.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-chzG-d-gzmI/URKeUcNpSbI/AAAAAAAAAYM/CgpDOVttmM4/s1600/cow+calf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-chzG-d-gzmI/URKeUcNpSbI/AAAAAAAAAYM/CgpDOVttmM4/s320/cow+calf.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the latest addition to the farm! so cute!</td></tr>
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barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-8288463418709770962013-01-24T11:43:00.000-06:002013-01-24T11:43:00.334-06:00Kids of the same flock, flock togetherMy brother and sister and I are pretty close (to outsiders we appear very close--maybe we just don't admit to one another--lol). The poor hubs and my KU SNL sometimes just sit back and give each other this "did they just get released from the asylum?" or "what's the quickest escape route?" or "what did I marry into?" or however they pass these silent and sometimes not so silent thoughts on my siblings and me. <br />
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Perfect example, at Thanksgiving (yes the blogpost has been brewing for a while) this was a conversation:<br />
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Me: wild thing<br />
me and sis: you make my heart sing<br />
me, sis, bro: buh-duh-duhna dun you make everything groovy...and on and on<br />
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The hubs and SNL were just sitting there, I'm gonna say awestruck by the musical ability of the family and great harmonies...in actuality it was more like WTF. LOL.<br />
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Just one of the numerous incidents that remind me how awesome they are and that the roots that started years ago, are still strong and hold up as we branch out in life. barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-58258245124961462462013-01-22T11:33:00.000-06:002013-01-22T11:33:07.808-06:00Tools of the TradeDuring the winter it gets cold here in Kansas, and what does that mean? Ice, snow, wind and having to chop ice for the animals; all while staying somewhat warm yourself. Here is my list of what you need to embark on winter chores:<br />
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Boots!<br />
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My lovely pink-striped boots finally got a tear in the side and started letting water in. I found this out after I had plunged my boot into a tank of water...it was not a pleasant experience...cold water, cold socks, bah! So the hubs and I went to Cabela's and I found these Bogs...and they are fantastic! They are comfortable, keep my feet warm, and are cute :-) What more could a girl ask for? And they have oh sh*t handles...like oh sh*t my boots are stuck in the mud and need a pull out or oh sh*t I'm bundled up in coveralls, hat, gloves and can't quite get my feet into the boots. Oh sh*t handles are the bomb!<br />
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Coveralls!<br />
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Coveralls are a must, for warmth and for keeping cow poop, hay, dirt, etc off regular clothes. Mine are Berne and they are pink (of course) <br />
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Headlamp!<br />
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Now I personally thought these were a little dorky...however trying to search for eggs in a dark barn or walking around at night doing chores is kind of freaky and light is needed. So my lovely in-laws got me one for Christmas! It is the bomb! I'm sure I look like a pink overweight cyclops, but I can see and the animals still come running when they see me, so it can't be that bad :-) <br />
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Ski mask!<br />
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There is nothing like facing a cold north wind or getting splattered in the face with freezing water when you're chopping ice, and since I don't have the facial hair the hubs does, a ski mask completes the farm-girl hottie look. <br />
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I was talking to some guys and they said there was nothing like a farm-girl in coveralls as a "sexy look"....hmmm I think they must be mistaken with some music video with a girl in a bikini sitting on a tractor. There is nothing sexy about the look above...I really do look like a bloated pink cyclops...oh well keeps me warm :-)<br />
barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-60522330613535636602013-01-02T19:45:00.000-06:002013-01-02T19:45:25.793-06:00Farm Kings? How About Farm Queens!?So the hubs and I have been watching more TV than we normally do, well he's been watching, I've been reading and occasionally catching what he's watching. Here's the deal, in January there is nothing on! So GAC has been on...ALOT. Yesterday <a href="http://www.gactv.com/gac/pac_ctnt/text/0,,GAC_26058_105638,00.html">Farm Kings</a> had their top 10 or 20 farm videos on and showing segments of their show as well. Hmm...nowhere in these videos did it show a woman helping. The only women in the videos were wearing little sundresses, with cowboy boots on, and their hair blowing in the wind like Victoria's Secret models. The man is shown hot and sweaty loading hay, driving the tractor, being the MAN. The women frolicking in the fields waiting for someone to catch them as they dance away to the music in their heads. Really? I want to see some "honey" dressed in coveralls and a ski mask hauling 5 gallon buckets of feed around and fighting with a water hose that's almost frozen. (Oh wait--is that me? LOL). Seriously though, Farm Kings? Its more like Farm Family. It's not the "man" making it work or the one doing all the work...its everyone that lives on said farm. At least it is on our farm and most of the farms that I'm aware of. Next time you see one of those videos with the guy sweating in a tank top to "get the job done" look behind him...you'll probably see some woman with work gloves on and smiling because she knows she can feed 50 cows...and 5 humans :-)barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-62401364033273445732013-01-02T12:09:00.000-06:002013-01-02T12:09:00.233-06:00Ode to CogburnSo I've heard horror stories about mean roosters and how when they grow their spurs they get mean and start attacking people...and I have to say...I think I have the best rooster around. Here's why:<br />
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-He stops traffic. Really he does. He is such a good looking rooster that people driving into the yard stop and say wow. (or some other R-rated version of nice rooster). He stands tall and proud and struts around the yard like he owns it. I mean look at him, he could grace the cover of <a href="http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/">Backyard Poultry</a> magazine:<br />
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-He is VERY protective. If he thinks someone is after one of his ladies, he comes a running, wings out to the side, chest flared up. If one of the hens starts making a quacking sound, here he comes to save the day. And if one of his ladies isn't in the pen at night, he waits around until I find said lackadaisical hen and run her in. Then he has to look around making sure they're all accounted for. So funny to watch.<br />
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-He isn't mean. He has never been mean to me or any of the other people that have visited the farm. Maybe its because we raised him that way...or maybe he was listening when I gave my "no BULLying policy on this farm" lecture. (all new critters get this talk, we all get along here, if said new critter doesn't get along, said critter finds a new home.) Who knows, but he's not mean.<br />
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-He's entertaining. I can call to him and he calls right back...how weird is that? I rarely hear him before I open the door and when he hears my car leaving or coming back, he does his cock-a-doodle doo. Highly entertaining.<br />
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Oh well, cheers to Cogburn!barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-66180906606308831482013-01-01T17:54:00.002-06:002013-01-01T18:10:37.265-06:00French Onion Pork ChopsThe hubs has been sick and so I've been juggling household and outside duties (aren't I always--LOL!). Anyways, in the essence of no time, I whipped up this quick and delicious meal--yum!<br />
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You need:<br />
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1 can of Campbells French Onion Soup <a href="http://www.campbellsoup.com/Products/100Natural/Traditional/120837">(Picture)</a><br />
2 cups of brown rice<br />
1/2 cup (approx) of red wine<br />
3/4 cup (approx) of peas<br />
1 tsp of rosemary<br />
1 tsp of garlic<br />
1 tsp of poultry seasoning<br />
2 pork chops<br />
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Pour the soup and red wine into a 9x13 pan and pour the rice on top of that. Kind of mix around (but doesn't have to be perfect). Then place the pork chops on top of that mixture. Sprinkle the seasonings on top of that and add the peas (again doesn't have to be perfect). Cover with foil and bake at 350 for about 45 min to an hour. So yummy! No mixing boil, no dishes to wash, and healthy! Bam!<br />
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Enjoy :-)barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-40505691903852015862012-12-30T15:38:00.000-06:002012-12-30T15:38:01.846-06:00Dear Me (5 years Ago)Dear CAL,<br />
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Yes, you feel like your life is stuck in a limbo zone of not having a stable relationship and the world is passing you by and you are just standing still. Friends have already gotten married, popped out a few kids, and you still just want to buy some new shoes. Boys confuse and irritate you, but like a moth to a flame you keep going back and getting burned. You don't need to obsess about why some guy stood you up on a date, or why when a guy says he completely gets you and are a fantastic woman he still doesn't want to commit to you, or how that guy that seems way perfect--is really way not perfect. QUIT OBSESSING NOW CAL! Put down your phone and quit checking for flirty text messages. Pay attention to those that are actually around you. Quit asking yourself (and anyone who will listen), but if only he would do this? Quit trying to make the relationship work. Quit obsessing. Start enjoying being single--there is nothing like it! The friendships you have in your single days will never happen again, so treasure them. Enjoy doing only your laundry....and knowing why your laundry smells the way it does (once you get married that will change...boys stink!). Enjoy not having to explain to another human being why you have to go on a wine trip with your girlfriends. Most of all, be patient. Why? Because when the right man comes along, he will make you his, no questions asked. He will make his presence known and want to take you home (literally and figuratively) and he wants you to meet his parents. There will be questions...but not the "does he really like me?" question. Because when a man sees something he wants forever, he doesn't sit on the sideline, he doesn't wait for you to make the move, he purchases. Just like a Farmall Model A in pristine condition he's always dreamed of having, he will drive 3 hours with a trailer and load it up---he will do the same with you. So enjoy this single time--its precious and will never occur again. The season will change and married life will begin, but both are equally important in this crazy circle of life.<br />
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Luv ya!<br />
CLPbarnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6779569446292960945.post-24609888432082888872012-12-18T16:41:00.001-06:002012-12-18T16:41:30.409-06:00If You Were to be my BFFSo my SNL did this blog post idea..and I'm blog-stealing the idea for mine.<br />
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Here is a list of things you would need to know to be my BFF:<br />
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-I do not like exposed garages (ones that open to the road)<br />
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-I have a horrible memory or just selective. I can remember what I wore on an occasion 10 years ago, but then can't remember what I wore yesterday.<br />
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-I do not like to share pens<br />
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-I can shop for you (my BFF) and put together outfits over the phone based on what I know is in your closet<br />
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-I do logic puzzles<br />
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-I am so nerdy and old-lady-ish in my hobbies (hello crochet--LOL)<br />
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-I went to 6 different schools growing up (various reasons)<br />
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-I hate saying good-bye<br />
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-I did not have TV growing up so references to Full House, 90210, Facts of Life, are completely lost on me (I'm sure there are other shows as well)<br />
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-I lift my feet over railroad tracks for good luck<br />
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-I am not a germophobe<br />
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-It takes me longer to get ready for bed than it does to get ready in the morning<br />
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-I am anti-private education<br />
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I think that's about it :-)barnyardbarbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04459657108954007376noreply@blogger.com3