Lost In A Blog

This is a repost from Thanksgiving 2010. My Grandmother Hazel was an amazing women and we all miss her. Pictures are so important to me, I'm always gathering everyone up for "one more" photo shoot, something that drives my family nuts.  I'm so glad they agreed to gather for this one. 


Five Generations
My mom, my daughters and granddaughters and my Grandma Hazel. My 97 year old grandmother was able to spend all Thanksgiving day with us. For over 50 years she operated our local grocery store and was voted Seiling, Oklahoma's Business Woman of The Year. She's still witty, sharp and feisty


Well...now I AM confused. I've been sick for a few days. I hit a brick wall after Thanksgiving dinner, limply slithered into my recliner Friday and have been sitting here contemplating my social media skills. While surfing blog and websites I've concluded that I'm in need of a facelift. My blog needs it, my facebook page needs it, my website needs it, and I'm pretty sure my mug could use one too after sitting in front of the computer for hours, but I'm just not sure where to start. Do I keep GoDaddy? Do I switch to Wordpress? Our guys were "BRANDING" yesterday, I learned I need one too-maybe I should have got in line. Do I tweek my own design or hire another done? Maybe the latter because some of the conversations between the elite SMers were in the 400 or 500 level. I've been complacently comfortable residing at "introduction to___"level. If you're one of my "10's of readers" just bear with me until I get all of this figured out. My SM skills at this point: not pretty, but functionable- Telling A Positive Animal Ag/Beef Story To Anyone Who'll Listen.

Merry (Retro) Christmas

I have to say this was a Christmas to remember. God has poured out his blessings on our family and I am so very, very thankful.  One of those blessings has been the opportunity I have had to enjoy my close-knit group of creative, funny, quick-witted, quirky kids and their spouses.

 This year they had a grand plan...

locate the ugliest Christmas sweater or outfit ever and wear it for our family Christmas. The hard part was finding one. It seems this was a popular event, not just in rural Oklahoma, but everywhere. We were in Minnesota several weeks ago and a thrift store in The Mall of America (yes a thrift store-a chain thrift store-there were three of them in the mall) was selling these things for $20 a piece!  Finally I found ours at our local thrift shop for $1.99.  It was such a big hit we're making plans for next year!  Someone mentioned Easter outfits...we'll wait and see about that one.

Not all the kiddos were as excited about dressing the part.  Those refusing to dress ugly were required to wear a Santa hat.

hmm?

Green pin-striped seersucker pants completes #1 RFM's Christmas outfit.

My dad escaped the ugly outfit and Santa's hat-seniority rules.

God Bless You and Yours!

Back From Sabbatical!

Sorry for the Two Month Absence.

 My Excuse for  Paltry Postings?
EEEKKK!
A Whirlwind Ride on a Human Hamster Wheel!

Between...


Stock Shows

 Wheat and Canola Harvest



Gardening



Graduations

 

Tornado Escapes

                                                                             

Two D.C. Visits
The first trip was with a group called "The Ranchers", we spoke with congressmen, senators and representatives urging them to keep our Ag Industry at the top of their agendas. The next trip was to attend the Animal Agriculture Alliance Summit where those attending gathered a ton of knowledge from many great speakers on how to secure Ag's future. 

Soccer Games

                                                                 

Family Gatherings



and...

My Dad's Induction Into The Hall of Great Westerners
(which was much like preparing for a wedding!)


I Just Haven't Had Time!

I will try to do better.

                                                    

Saving Their World

                    Some of My Super Heros

Thanks Lord for 2010...It Was A Very Good Year

This has been the busiest most blessed year of my life.  I only thought I was busy and blessed when our four kids were at home.  Today the blessings have multiplied.  Four awesome spouses, nine terrific grandkids and a host of wonderful in-laws have found their way nestled right next to my loving, patient, understanding husband; the most awesome set of parents anyone could ask for; a doting 97 year old grandmother that still lights up when I come to visit; and three great communities within a 30 mile radius that I regularly revolve in and out of yet can comfortably call each one "home".   I stay exhausted , exhilerated and extremely grateful for the year God has blessed me with, taking none of the past 365 days for granted.

Fair Time

We've entered every year for as long as I can remember. Fairs are the chance for rural Americans to show off. Most of us are pretty humble throughout the year but come August and September watch out, because the gloves come off. Bread making, picture taking, fruit preserving and cattle,chicken,hog,sheep and goat showing become cut throat competition. Our county is known for STIFF competition on just about anything you enter. We have 20 consecutive year bread baking champions, 30 consecutive year canned pickle, peach, pear,green bean champions. Fair warning to other 3-5 year old entrants...these girls mean business.

A Wonderful Day

Today was a wonderful day. It began by waking up beside one of my grandsons...the one that rolls his little body up in a tiny ball and sticks his butt in your stomach...
For breakfast we made crepes and buckwheat pancakes and ate them to Sponge Bob. By noon the majority of his cousins arrived; the one that dismantles everything within her tiny arms length, the nine year old contemplative "wise old man", the one who talks as fast as he thinks...and moves, the one that mourns his leaving each time he visits, the one who is a collector of "many things" and the new one that watches and observes all the rest. Today two were missing... the "Idea Master" and his sister, "Tiny Dancer".
We ate noodle soup and bubble bread and shivered as a bear attacked "Ole Yellar", we wound the family cuckcoo clock as we waited patiently for the appearance of the tiny bird who lives there. Water color master pieces were created, knees were scraped, heads were bumped and kisses were given.
Today was a wonderful day...

Oh, Poop

It's been quite a week. I had the opportunity to spend the night with my youngest daughter, her husband, and their 3-- under 4. She made Christmas goodies and I organized cabinets. That night I had a new "teeth brushing" experience. Their bathroom lighting was a little dim, so was my sight- absent my glasses. The tube looked like Crest, felt like Crest, squeezed like Crest but it sure didn't taste like Crest. Boudreaux's Butt Paste just doesn't have that same fresh minty flavor.
After leaving their place, Brad and I had the opportunity to take 4 of the other 6 (3 under 4 and a 9 year old) Christmas lightseeing. Prior to the light viewing, begging resulted in a stop at the Golden Arches. The playground was just as you'd expect...packed with hoards of gleeful kids playing in a less than sanitary environment while parents watch on as their little ones perform grotesque antics.
After witnessing a boy of 5 or 6 laying face down licking the carpet I questioned our sanity in bringing them their during flu season. Nearly an hour into having more fun than anyone should be allowed, it dawned on me that I was missing a girl. I called her name, no answer.
The other 3 were alerted to scour the tubes. Nothing. Just as I was going in to search myself, the blond haired beauty appeared from behind the shoe stand. An angelic demure smile on her face. As I approached her the smell hit me. Brad motioned something to me."What?" I mouthed. He motioned again. As I picked her up, I realized why startled glances were being shared. I can only say it ended with a trip to the dollar store to get a new set of clothes.
After the dollar store stop we headed to the lights. The excitement was more than they could bear but soon dwindled as the lighting disappeared after entering the park. The entrance was beautifully lit but that's where it ended. The 80 mile round trip to view a few lights at the entrance of what used to be a lighting extravaganza, and the disappearance of the rest, was a little disappointing and hard to explain to two 4 four year olds---but nothing that ice cream wouldn't fix. The 40 mile trip home was quiet except for an occasional ice cream slurp.
The rest of the week resulted in more busy bodies spilling, pooping, dropping, breaking, crying, burping, laughing, stuttering, questioning, hugging, spilling, dropping, crying, pooping.............
Yea, it's been quite a week...and I wouldn't trade it with anyone, poop and all.

Merry Christmas
Andy
chainranchlady.com

When Irish Eyes Are...Laughing?...Jigging?

chainranchlady.com



My husband's family is Irish. This weekend we enjoyed a reunion of this robust, musical, borderline rowdy bunch. Descendants of 11 siblings- 8 boys, and 3 girls- whose legendary roots began when patriarch Augustus came over from Ireland in the early 1800's, met to carry on traditions such as the "Laughing Song" and "jigging" (an Irish dance which the 8 brothers performed throughout their lives). I had watched Brad's grandfather, W.S., perform this dance over 30 years ago at a reunion when he was about 70. This week I watched in amazement as a nephew of W.S. (a Dallas preacher in his 60's, who could also play the harmonica, bass guitar and sing) cut a rug once again.
Yesterday descendants reminisced as they viewed a film from the late 40's of the 8 brothers in their prime, enjoying life, each other, and this legendary dance. A circle of well dressed men (as in suits and ties) was formed by the 8 brothers. One brother would take center stage, do his best at jigging, then shuffle back in line, letting the next brother take a turn. It was a slow methodical extravaganza with each brother's dance a little different than the previous. In many ways it reminded me of the Irish Immigrant dance scene from the Titanic, but suited and a little less rowdy.
Memories of the "Laughing Song" included the fact that the brother's performances were improved after a trip to the trunk of their cars. Yesterday someone had a copy of the words so we gave it our best shot...no trips to the car--honest--cross my heart. It had everyone laughing...it's just an infectious song. Youtube it-George Johnson's Laughing Song. We think it must have originated here in the 1890's.
I'm mostly German. No "Laughing Songs" or jigging at our reunions. We eat, talk about the weather, the markets, and go home. I'm not complaining, that's all I knew...Until I married an Irishman.

Father's Day

Today is father's day. My dad is 82 years old, and has been a great father. He is the patriarch of our family. He has built our ranching operation, along with the help of my husband and brother, that today supports our family and 12 employees and their families. I' m having lunch today to honor all the dads in our large family. There will probably be around 25 of us if everyone shows up. We're having Mexican Fiesta. It's easy to fix for a large group.
Better get moving, got to help with Sunday School Class in 1 hour.
Mexican Fiesta Chili(made with ground beef, cumin powder, chili powder, tomato juice, salt and pepper cooked slowly to reduce volume) Brown Rice, Chopped Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Green Pepper; Mushrooms, Coconut, Pecans, Pineapple Tidbits, Sour Cream, Salsa, Tortilla Chips, Shredded Cheese, Brown Olives. Pile it high in any order. Fast and easy.