Author: Melissa

Just “friends”

Posted on by Melissa

I have a feeling I’m gonna need to ask for forgiveness at the end of this post. But don’t give up on me yet… just keep reading 🙂

It’s been a few days since I’ve shared anything about life here on the farm. And I’m trying to narrow down all the thoughts and directions this post could take.

It’s been a flurry of activity, mixed with cold and wind, just like outside today. A lot can happen in ten days around here.

Heck. A lot can happen in ONE day!

Since my last post, Valentine’s Day came and went. We had a special delivery at our house and this time the flowers weren’t for me.

See, usually it’s a toss-up between which daughter Dan can coerce to run to the nearest flower shop to pick up a beautiful bouquet for me. It’s become a bit of a family joke, and one I look forward to hearing about each year after the delivery.

However, this year proved to be a little different.

A bouquet of twelve RED roses arrived without a daughter’s assistance! In fact, it turned out to be FOR one of our daughters… and for the single one, too!

Rose Bouquet

Hmmmm…. now, what do you think ol’ dad thought about that?!?

When I got home from work and saw those beautiful roses, I had a big smile on my face! And Dan… Well, he just shook his head.

First, he had to break the news that they weren’t for me, which I imagine had him feeling a little guilty.

So, assuming they were for Kayla, our youngest daughter, I asked who were the roses FROM then?

“Cody”, he answered, “her…. ‘friend‘.”

Hmm… I could just imagine how the thoughts had rolled through his head when those roses had arrived…

  1. Roses?
  2. RED roses?!?!?
  3. AND a box of chocolates!!!
  4. AND A TEDDY BEAR?!?!?
  5. WHO IS THIS GUY?????????
  6. CODY????????
  7. CODY WHO?!?!?!

Kayla’s voice rose up when she said over and over… “Dad!!! We’re just friends!!!” to which dad replied, “Well, I can’t remember the last time I got RED roses from a ‘FRIEND!'”

Ha ha. I just laughed and shook my head, all the while smiling. And I imagine Kayla had turned just a shade redder than those roses!

She had escaped to work that day and later left for a trip with one of her best buddies.

While she was gone that weekend, I enjoyed the treat of fresh flowers in the house, even if they weren’t mine!

When she got home later that weekend, we all teased her pretty good. Dan wanted to know a little more about this “friend” and Kayla got the message that maybe it was time we meet this “friend” of hers.

A few days went by and we were talking during chores about the upcoming rodeo in Waterloo. Usually we all get to go, alternating chores with the girls so that some of us go on Friday night, and some go on Saturday.

Kayla nonchalantly mentioned that Cody would be coming over Friday night. She tried not to smile while she looked at the ground.

We looked at each other and all busted out laughing!

Ohhhh, Kayla. She was trying so hard not to smile but her face just couldn’t contain it!

She laughed too and looked at us all and said “Stop. Just stop. We’re just friends!” And we just laughed some more!

Dan and Chelsey tried winning tickets on the radio over and over that week for the rodeo, but with no luck. One morning, they heard the winner’s name come over the radio… “KEVIN FROM FAYETTE!”

Later that morning, our neighbor Kevin called to tell Dan the news. Last year we won tickets so we figured it was his turn.

The week went on, and Thursday night Kevin stopped over at Chelsey’s. He offered them the tickets to the rodeo, which she happily accepted.

However, by morning she had decided that meeting Kayla’s new “friend” would be more fun than the rodeo, so she passed them on to Cozie and Chase, who took Reed with them that night.

Chase, Reed and Cozie at the rodeo!
Must’ve been dark at the rodeo! Chase, Reed and Cozie

After chores, I worked on frying catfish while the girls helped me get the homemade garlic fries made. The brownies were fresh out of the oven and the sweet corn went in.

You would have thought that Chelsey had a new suitor arriving, as much as she checked out the window for Kayla’s new “friend” to drive in!

The dogs barking sent Chelsey to the window once more as she announced in an excited voice that Cody was finally here!

To be continued…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Treats

Posted on by Melissa

It was a busy day for us! Chores went smooth this morning with Chelsey and Kayla both here to help.

We headed to Starmont School after chores to serve frozen yogurt. Today’s flavors were Strawberry and Chocolate Mint. I loved the Chocolate Mint but many of the students went for the Strawberry.

We had a great group of volunteers show up to help and enjoyed lunch with them afterwards. We got to hear about our friends trip to Alaska, which was entertaining. Some day we hope to go there with our family.

We got home and got the big ice cream machine all cleaned up and headed right out for chores.

Our friend stopped by to help get our baler set up for next year. The timing got messed up on it when we were replacing a part last fall and luckily we were done with it for the year.

Brrrrr! That wind sure was a killer tonight! Dan didn’t put on his coveralls before he ground 2 loads of feed and boy was he cold in that wind!

When we got back we scraped, hauled manure and bedded the freestalls so the cows are nice and comfy tonight. Hopefully the wind dies down by morning!

Reed’s Valentine Party is tomorrow at Preschool. It’s our turn to take treats so tonight after we got in from chores Reed and I whipped up some homemade Brownie cupcakes.

He could hardly wait for his “Taster’s Bite” of the brownie batter, ha ha. We got all the ones needed for school in the oven before he dipped his teaspoon in for a try.

Mmmmmm, he said, with big eyes!

While they were in the oven, Dan and I went to work tracing and cutting out Reed’s little hand for his Valentine Cards for his classmates.

image

image

And Reed worked on signing his name to them all.

He will give each friend a valentine with a string cheese treat that we picked up at our creamery today.

Did you know that our creamery, AMPI, has a retail store where anyone can shop for cheese, butter and milk?

This is where our milk is taken when it leaves our farm. Stop in if you are in the area.

It’s just down the road from Starmont School and not far from the newly famous home of the Bachelor, Arlington, IA. 🙂

Hello, Dolly!

Posted on by Melissa

Some things you just can’t plan any better. This was the case a few weeks ago.

My friend Sabra and I headed to Minne-sooo-ta for a girls night out!

Now I gotta tell ya. The definition of girls night out has drastically changed in the ohhhhh, say… last five years.

We’ve…. matured. Okay, we’re old!

No more heading out to the bar for these girls! That being said…

We’ve graduated to… (drum roll please)

“Dinner Theatre!!!”

Yes, dinner theatre.

There was a little bit of mystery as we were led into the room full of tables and people in the theatre. We were booked to sit at a table of six, not knowing who the other four would be.

As we sat down, we commented to the two ladies already sharing an appetizer, that we had wondered who we would be seated with?

The lady kitty-corner to me shook my hand and laughing, said how great it was to meet someone with such a great name… just like hers!

I extended my hand to the other stranger at the table and said “Well, you must be Sabra, then?” Ha ha!

Nope, Brenda, she said. And that was all it took to break the ice!

Me, Brenda, Melissa and Sabra
Me, Brenda, Melissa and Sabra

As the night went on we had a great time getting to know these two, telling where we were from, what we do for work, how big our families were… etc.

We talked quite awhile about our kids. Sabra and Brenda both have two kids, and all have names starting with A!

I told of my three girls, followed by Reed, and Melissa also said she has a son, although older, married and expecting his first child with his wife.

It wasn’t long before we were showing pictures of our families.

All of us also enjoy going to concerts, and talked about all the shows we’ve seen! We laughed over who our first concerts were, and who we still want to see.

As the lights dimmed before the show began, we were already trying to decide when we could get together again.

We had a great night out!

And it wasn’t just because of the delicious food, or the awesome show… we met two fantastic ladies that turned out to be our newest friends!

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My Cheerleader

Posted on by Melissa

Before I was married, I worked in the office at a church. I loved my job. I loved what I did. But most of all, I loved the people.

Some days were quiet. Others, busy. But one thing that was constant were the “regulars” that would stop by on an almost daily basis.

There was Paul… he would come by and make sure everything in the building was running smoothly. Ruth Ann, she took care of the tape ministry and sent out cards for all occasions. Marie would come in every week and put a message on the answering machine. Lola, a spry lady in her 90’s, was in charge of the bell choir. Muriel took care of the bookkeeping and Sharla would stop by to pay the bills.

Then there was Dorothy.

It’s hard to sum up in a few sentences all that Dorothy did. It’s hard to remember all of the things that she did.

What I do know is that she was one of my favorites.

I met so many friendly people those first few weeks that I started a list. After someone stopped in, I would add their name in my notebook and write what they were in charge of.

That list grew and grew, but at the top of that list was Dorothy. And I just kept adding tasks she was involved in behind her name.

Every time she would stop in, she’d ask how things were going, and I would ask the same. It wasn’t long before I really got to know Dorothy.

She talked about her daughters, their families, her grand kids, and she talked about sports too! She loved to catch me up on the latest game that she had seen.

She always had something to share with me and I really enjoyed sharing with her too.

As I sat in church today, thinking about all the talks I had with Dorothy, I realized that she was one of those cheerleaders that God had put in my life.

She was one of those people that constantly encouraged me, just by caring.

Even after I had left the area and moved to the farm, once in a great while, I would run into Dorothy at a ball game or a restaurant. And we would pick up right where we left off, catching each other up with family news and such.

And just last fall, my son Reed got a Halloween card in the mail. It came with a cute little conversation just for him from Dorothy.

Talk about feeling loved. It had been over five years since I had left my job at the church and still this lady was showing she cared.

Today was one of the saddest days I’ve had in a long time.

But I will forever be blessed, as I will always know the value of taking time for another, by the cheerleader God sent to me named Dorothy.

Road Trips and Reminiscing…

Posted on by Melissa

Friday started like any other day around here. We were up early for chores and I worked outside until it was time for Reed to go to school.

After getting my extra hugs and kisses, I dropped him off at preschool, came home, got cleaned up and packed my bag for the night. I was excited to get on the road to my friend’s house.

A few weeks ago she had invited me to go to a dinner theatre show with her in Minnesota. I was so excited! I love to go to performances of most any kind, and it happened to fall at a time when my husband would be busy at a wrestling tournament.

It was good catching up on the couple hour ride to Minnesota. We stopped about half way to take in a little shopping. We particularly enjoyed one shop called Urban Vintage, and marveled at all of the rustic items and functional decorations! Such cute uses for everyday things! We had quite a few “I can do that myself” moments.

Back on the road and into the city we went. It always amazes me how many businesses and restaurants there are… and I wonder with so many choices, how can they all survive?

We passed the first Casino I ever gambled at. I had just turned 18 and I had taken a trip with my mom and two sisters. I can’t remember what we went to Minnesota to do, but I can’t forget how I won, hand over fist, on one lucky slot machine!

I would win anywhere from $75 to 100 dollars, cash out, put in another ten or twenty, only to do the same again. I had quite a few tickets in my hand before my sisters found me!

And I remember they had a security person come stand by the machine so I could take a bathroom break! I cashed in my tickets before hitting the bathroom and felt like a bank robber as I counted the cash in that bathroom stall! And when I returned to my machine, I won just as much money as when I had left.

Boy, what an impression gambling made on me! Ha ha!

Speaking of casinos…The last time my friend and I had taken a trip, we stayed at a hotel casino in Illinois. We had drove through pouring rain and arrived over 2 hours later than we had planned.

It was nearing Midnight and I was sure she would say, “Let’s just go to bed”, but she surprised me and said “Let’s go!” And down to the casino we went!

We each had given ourselves an allowance and played several machines before we stopped to watch a guy who was winning on a Wheel of Fortune machine.

I always liked to watch those games. When the lights would flash and the machine would blare WHEEL!     OF!      FORTUNE!!!!!     and the big wheel at the top would start to spin!!!

As we stood there watching, she said, “When we come back in the morning, I want to try this machine”, pointing to the one I was standing next to. I studied it a little to see what it took to win on it.

We were coming back in the morning? Hmm. I hadn’t planned on that.

I had reached my $40 limit already, but pulled out a 20 dollar bill and said. “I have a 20, do you want to play?” and she said “Nah, I’ll wait til morning.” So I looked at the machine again and said “Do you mind if I play it then?” (Not figuring on coming back in the morning) and she said “Sure, I don’t care.”

It wasn’t long before I got in my rhythm of betting the maximum only every so often when I thought it would hit. Slowly I was racking up the credits.

And this machine was fun, I mean really fun! Once in a while, it would give you a winning combination, and then go crazy, spinning over and over, doubling, sometimes tripling the original winnings!

Soon, the guys we had been watching at Wheel of Fortune had turned their chairs, looking to see what our shrieks were all about! This idle machine had come to life, lighting up over and over with matching reels!

I was up over $700 before I saw my luck beginning to fade. We looked at each other and agreed it was time to quit.

I hit the cash out button and we headed to the teller window. What a thrill! And what a great beginning to our trip!

Winning made our trip that much more enjoyable.

Our next stop was in Holland, Michigan for the Tulip Festival. That year Spring had come early, and I joked that the “Tulip Tour” we took was more like a “Stem Tour!”

We had a great time shopping though, and I came home with three reminders of our trip.

I bought four 3′ Tulips that had been welded and brightly painted. They were so happy looking! I knew right where I was going to put them!

I also purchased a Bird Feeder that was a great looking barn. It reminded me of home and our farm and I looked forward to putting it out each summer.

And the third thing I chose hangs in my kitchen. It’s a silver plated measuring spoon set embellished with scroll work and cupcakes. They hang right next to where I do my baking and make me smile every time I think about our trip!

One other treasure from our trip was a visit with my Aunt Gerry. Now this hadn’t been on the agenda, but when my friend heard me talking about my family and that they were only an hour further than our destination, she happily afforded me some time for a visit.

Aunt Gerry is a sister to my mom, and even though she’s lived in Michigan all of her married life, we stay close with her and her family.

It was so good to see her and talk with her and get our aye aye’s in. I was happy she recognized me, as it was one of her good days. 🙂

She so wished I had brought my mom along with me because she missed “Babe”.

We made up for it by calling her. And it was just like they were sitting across from each other, as I was with her, bantering back and forth.Me & GerryThat was my last visit with Gerry before she passed away.

Looking back, it amazes me… how things happen for reasons we just don’t grasp at the time. We go about our days, not thinking about the things that seem so insignificant.

And then somewhere in our minds, these moments become memories that we wish we could jump back into. Because they mean so much!

In this moment, as I think back to these happy times, I am grateful for great friends and family, that I took opportunities to spend time with people, and for making memories that are worth remembering.

Family Bonding

Posted on by Melissa

This afternoon we headed out for a little extra family bonding before chores.

Our wood supply is getting on the low side, so we took the tractor and dump wagon and skid loader and chain saw out to get some wood cut up.

Usually we get together with neighbors and have at least one cutting party every fall. With the colder than normal November, that just didn’t happen.

So today, Dan and I, Chelsey, Kayla and Reed made quick work of a couple trees and had a good sized load in less than an hour.

There’s never a dull moment when cutting wood. !) And here are a couple pictures to prove it…

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Making memories one hour at a time!

“Me” Time

Posted on by Melissa

After chores tonight I needed a little “me” time. With supper in the crockpot, I stole away to the basement.

Last Fall, I had taken a painting class. All by myself! I saw it offered on Facebook and signed up and went. Sometimes you just need to do that.

And I had a great time painting my pumpkins! I was as proud as a peacock when I came home and showed my family. 🙂

Pumpkins

Now, I don’t know that my pumpkins were all that great, but I wanted to do that again sometime. In fact, before I left that night I asked the instructor if I could host my own party?

And the following month, that’s just what I did. I had a dozen or so friends and family over for my very own painting party!

We had a ton of fun painting a happy little snowman! I loved how we could choose whatever colors we wanted and make our snowman tall or fat or…  whatever it turned out to be!

This is what my finished snowman looked like…

Snowman

But I also LOVED how everyone else’s turned out too! And they were all just a little different!

So back to tonight.

I came downstairs to the drawer full of acrylic paints and brushes I bought after my party. They were still in the wrappers, along with the various sizes of blank canvases I bought too.

So after doing a little thinking about what I wanted to paint, I decided I wanted to do a night scene with our barn in the background.

This is what it ended up to be…

Night Barn Painting

It turned out a lot like the post I did last week. You can read about it here.

I still wanted to paint one more picture, so I found a picture that made my heart a little happier. And then I went to work creating it in my own style.

Flowering Tree Painting

This one was fun because I got to use my fingertips to create all the colored dots!

Now… A question for you…

Have you done anything lately worth remembering

Story, Song and Rhyme…

Posted on by Melissa

I’m one of those people that wants to do things, see things, learn something new! And I’m always game when it comes to doing something FUN!

My husband, on the other hand, could do the same thing every day and be perfectly happy.

So you can imagine what it’s like when I suggest an evening out.

But this last weekend I managed to get him off the farm for a night out with friends and I think he thoroughly enjoyed himself!

Not far from home, there is an event that’s in it’s 10th year. It’s held at the Starlite Ballroom, a nostalgic dance hall where I attended many a’ wedding reception and dances growing up.

I LOVE going there!

LOVE that old Disco Ball!
and I LOVE that big ol’ Disco Ball!

So when I saw that Cowboy Poetry and Western Music was going to be held there, I tore the article out of the newspaper and asked Dan if he would take me there for Date Night.

Now I had to haggle a little, see, because he balked when I told him tickets were 25 bucks a piece. After pointing out that it was a fundraiser, I sealed the deal with “They even throw in supper – Swiss Steak!”

“I don’t know… we’ll see.”

Crap. That forecast isn’t good.

So a week later when there was no mention of my suggested Date Night, I threw in that maybe Gary & Theresa would like to go with us? And red turned to green!

At Cowboy Poetry

The show started off with a warm welcome by Gerry Mishak, who has organized this event every year along with his wife, Marilee, who he lovingly calls “Poopsy,” ha ha.

Like I said, this is the 10th year for the show and Gerry asked how many in the crowd had been there every year? A bunch of hands went up and an old lady piped up “And I’m still alive!!!” I guess she didn’t figure on being around yet!

We enjoyed our meal and as the show began, Gerry introduced an old friend of his, Marty Blocker.

Marty Blocker

This cowboy had poem after poem about the cowboy way of life! He was a great entertainer and had us chuckling right along.

By the time Brooke Turner took the stage, guitar in hand, we knew that we were in for something special.

Brooke Turner

Now Brooke opened up with the question “Y’all got cell phones up here?” 🙂

Now this guy could realllllly sing. And write. And tell stories.

He kept us entertained with songs about cell phones… “We’re Breakin’ Up!” and Rodeo Queens… (It’s not about the fall, it’s about the ride…” and a great poem about the Cowboy Code.

I had to laugh when he was telling about the song he wrote awhile back when he was “drugged up” on cold pills, “Well, they were either from the doc… or the veterinarian!”

Now that sounds like something my husband might have tried!

And he ended his time with a patriotic tribute, written with his father in mind. It led us to our feet and we gave credit where credit was due.

Next, a lady by the name of Trinity Seely took the stage. She’s a Rancher’s wife and had some insight I could relate to, being a dairy farmer’s wife.

Trinity Seely

She had a great voice and sang about the beauty around her, the things she’s come to appreciate and what makes cowboys continue to endure the rugged lifestyle they lead.

She was telling about the wind and the cold and the long hours, and how her husband came in with a wintery, frozen white mustache hanging from his face, cold to the bone, and she says, “Sooooooo……..  ya wanna be a cowwwwwbooooy, eh?”

Made me think of some of the long winter days we’ve spent outside. And how we wanna be dairrrrrry farmmmmmers, eh?” And the similarities between all farmers with livestock. But, like her, we love what we do, and we love the cows too.

As the show neared the end, all three performers returned to the stage and took turns telling a few last stories, through song and rhyme.

Cowboy Poetry Team

As we headed home, we all agreed how much we had enjoyed the evening, and how it really was a unique kind of show.

It’s a great tribute and reminder, that no matter where the trail leads you, there is always much to appreciate and much value in sharing your way of life with others.

Update: Marilee Mishak let me know that Cowboy Poetry and Western Music raised $10,450 for the DOCS for Hope to help build the hospital in Guatemala! Wow! That will go a long way for this project! Next year’s event will be the 4th weekend in January, 2016. Mark your calendars now! I know I have!

Taking One for the Team

Posted on by Melissa

Family is pretty important to us, and we’ve always tried to support our girls in whatever they are a part of.

Whether it was 4-H, church, sports, FFA… You name it and we were there. (Maybe a little late, but we were there, ha ha)

Last Fall, Chelsey joined the Fair Board. We have been hearing how they are working hard to get everything planned and booked for the upcoming fair in August. Sounds like she’s been attending lots of meetings and doing her part to help where she can.

She mentioned to her dad during milking the other morning that she was working at BINGO this Sunday and that we should come.

So yesterday he told me about their conversation and he said he was like “Yeah, right. BINGO isn’t my thing.” (I can just see him shaking his head like “No. Way.”)

Besides, I’m sure he already had made his own plans… a Sunday afternoon nap!

And knowing that’s not the kind of thing he would get excited about, I asked him if we were going… and he says “I guess so!”

I couldn’t help but laugh!

And so he asks me if I was going too? And I said “I guess I’ll have to take one for the team too.” 🙂

We rounded up the troops… Cozie, Reed, Kayla (and a friend), Chelsey’s husband Jason, Dan and I… and we headed to the fairgrounds to play BINGO!

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Well, we didn’t win. But we did support Chelsey and the Fayette County Fair!

And we know that THEY win when all of us do our part!

Farmin’ is Fixin’ & Fixin’ is Farmin’

Posted on by Melissa

Hubby has one solid complaint about farming. There’s always something that needs fixin’!

Get one thing fixed and something else breaks down. It’s always something. Now some things are higher priority than others, and many times our plans for the day are changed by something that needs fixed.

One job that’s needed done for awhile, is changing some knives in the TMR. We have been waiting for a warmer day (so we didn’t have to freeze our fingers off!) to check this one off the list.

Well, that day came this week.

We’ve had our TMR since the year Kayla was born. Dan bought it new back in ’95.

TMR

A TMR is a type of equipment we use everyday to mix up our feed ration for the cows. (TMR ~ “Total Mixed Ration”)

Now I love to bake, and I really love mixing up for the cows too.

I think of our TMR as my big Kitchenaid mixer! It has a scale on it that helps me get just the right mix to help our cows get all the nutrients they need.

So naturally, it’s really important to me that this particular piece of equipment stays in good, working order.

You see, cows like to eat the same thing EVERY DAY. And that means this machine and I have to work together to get the same feed every time I mix up. I follow the recipe (ration sheet) and I’m careful to mix it long enough without over-mixing it.

It has a series of augers inside that turn and roll all of the ingredients together to mix them up. The first auger that the ingredients make contact with has triangular knives on the edges to cut things up into smaller pieces, like hay.

Over time, these knives get worn and dull, or get weak and break off. An errant flip of the bucket could also shear off a bolt or knife, allowing it to shift so it doesn’t cut anymore.

Well, our warm January day brought this task to the top of the fixin’ list this week. Reed had a day off from school for the holiday so we had a little helper too.

Reed in TMR

In the magnet tray you can see the triangular knife we were changing out, along with the bolts, lock washers and nuts.

Unfixed TMR Auger

Yep! Looks like it could use a little work!

We changed out many of the knives and straightened up a bunch too.

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I helped put the new knives on too, but of course, no pictures to show for it. !)

It went pretty good, and in about an hour we had her good as new!

TMR Fixed
Ready to “chew” again

I sure was glad to get this job off the list.

And it’s always good to hear Hubby say “That’s a good job done!”