Soo! I haven't written in forever and I apologize. So much has been going on!
First of all...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! 2012 is finally here!!! And only 41 days till my birthday when I'll be an official adult! Actually "half official" because I won't be a "real" adult until I'm 21. But whatever :P
Most of my friends know that I auditioned back in October 2011 for a part in Fiddler on the Roof. For those of you that don't know, Fiddler on the Roof is a very long musical that's 101% fantastical! I love the movie soooo much! So much so, that even though musical talent isn't exactly a gift of mine, I tried out. A few friends of mine were going to try out and that's how I found out about it. One of my friends, Jubilee, is a fantastic actress and got the leading part as Anne in Anne of Green Gables last year with this same theater.
Well, so they had 3 nights of auditions and I went the last night with my mom, twins sisters (who all tried out as well) and one of my awesome mother figures, Mrs. Belinda. One of my very dear friends, Molly, came just to support me ^_^ She knew how nervous I was. I have only ever been in 3 other plays one of which I didn't have any lines at all. The one I was in last year, (well, last LAST year in 2010 lol) The Cord of Courage, was the first one that I had a pretty big character to play. So I had a little experience with acting and some with Jewish dancing, but not with solo singing! Well anyway, I was bound and determined to suck up my nervousness and fear and try out. So I did and I survived ;)
I really had no hope of getting a part, I just knew my singing had killed any chance. But lo and behold! About a week later the director called and offered me the part of Tzietel the oldest daughter!!! I was SOOO shocked and thrilled and excited! The twins also got offered the parts of the two youngest daughters too! My friend Jubilee got the 2cd oldest daughter, Hodel. Tzietel doesn't have much singing but she is definitely one of the main MAIN characters. Ohhh I was soooooo thrilled!
So all this time we've been practicing and dancing and singing. Mom's started me up with singing lessons (YAY!) which I've always longed for anyway lol and I'm improving slowly but surely. Learning a lot. I had my lines and lyrics memorized within the first few weeks because I'm a major movie quoter and since FOTR (Fiddler on the Roof) is one of my beloved movies, it wasn't really an issue. Of course once I had them memorized and quite reading my script every night, I've kinda gotten rusty so I need to pick back up on that. We have 10 official practices left before Family Night on January 17. I'm not really too nervous actually. I just hope everyone (including me!) has singing and dancing down in time for performances.
So many of my friends, new and old, are coming to see performances! That's what makes me nervous the most. If I mess up if front of them I'll just curl up and die!! I'm working really hard to perfect my character and if I do mess up, cover over quickly so that no one's the wiser ;)
So! That's been my life for the past few months. As well as devouring school work. Oh Lord I can't wait till Graduationnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!! Then again, I've got to get the ball rollin' if I want to be DONE in time for graduation haha. So I will wrap this post up and hope y'all enjoy it :)
Happy New year Everyone!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Life In A Shoe Giveaway!
Hey everyone!! Sorry it's been so long since I posted :P I promise I'll do a longer post soon :) Right now I want to tell you about the Life In A Shoe giveaway! Go here: http://inashoe.com/2011/11/giveaway-flexi-clips-from-lilla-rose/ to enter their FlexiyClip giveaway! I loooove giveaways, don't you??? :)
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
My Testimony
So I've been wanting to write this post since forever. I'm sure all of y'all have felt that so many people have had great and miraculous testimonies and miracles happen to them and then your own life has been dreary and uninteresting and blah blah blah. I feel that I'm one of the blah blah blah people. Except that I did have a turn around when I was about 13 years old. Something happened to me, to my mind set, that made my stubbornness (at least some of it lol!) turn into determination to do the right thing. No it wasn’t a vision or anything miracules, but it has certainly made a difference in my life.
All girls want to be admired and feel attractive. Even the worst tomboy has that girlish instinct somewhere deep down. And as girls we can be admired for many things: attitudes, personalities, kindness, compassion, gentleness, etc. You get the idea. Another few things can make us attractive, especially to the people we most want to be attractive to: guys. We can be attractive with pretty faces, figures and forms. And the world seems to think that those last few things are more important than the former traits I mentioned. And the world also seems to think that the more you reveal of your body, the more attractive you are. NO! Proverbs 31:30-31 says: “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.” So if you’re young and pretty and attractive, and you’re vain of your beauty you might be admired for a few years, maybe even many years. But people will begin to see through your fake charm and your beauty will slowly fade away. And what will be left? A haggard, nasty old woman. That NO one likes. And what you did in your youth will be returned to you. So if all you did was flit around from guy to guy and waste your time being a flirt, when you’re old you will have nothing but sad memories. And most likely a broken heart from the man who you thought loved you but he was only infatuated with your beauty and when that faded…he did too. Any man that marries you only for your looks is no man at all.
Yet, as a young woman who fears God, no matter how you look, if your main focus is to serve and please Him, then you will have no worries. When you’re old and worn out, you will have so many people who will return the good and the love you gave them when you were younger. And most likely, you’ll have a loyal man growing old with you. Loving you for who you are, not who you were or what you looked like.
I don’t know about the rest of you girls but so many times I’ve come close to tears when thinking about how unattractive I seem. I would sit and long for someone besides a girlfriend of mine or family to tell me I was beautiful. For someone to say I looked great and not just that “God thinks I’m beautiful.” Yes, I know He does but everyone wants someone in this world to think of them as truly beautiful. But then, after I’ve been depressed long enough, I lift my chin and remember that if someone doesn’t like me for who I am then I don’t need to long for their approval. I am who I am and I don't need to change just to impress someone. If I do end up marrying someone, he needs to love me for my own personality, temperament and my own self.
What I’m trying to say is that if you walk through the mall in skimpy clothes revealing to everyone what your figure looks like yes, you will most likely get several glances from the guys and feel attractive. But what kind of guys are you attracting? The ones that once they have their fun with you they're off to another. But if you walk through the mall in your long skirt and loose blouse the “play-off” guys won’t bother you. But you’ll intrigue Godly young men who are interested in you. Not just your figure. They will be attracted to you because you’re keeping yourself to yourself. And as those boys get to know you and you get to know them, the right one will step out sooner or later. And guess why he’ll love you? He’ll love you for being you. Not for your figure. And then, once you are married he’ll appreciate you keeping yourself covered and no one else in the world knowing what you look like except him. If you’re the girl in the skimpy clothes you’re showing everyone what you’ve got and there is no surprise for your husband. If you get one.
I met a very interesting older lady in Goodwill a few weeks ago. My mom and sisters were helping me to pick out a party dress for a birthday party I was going to that Saturday. Our only trouble was finding something pretty and trendy, yet still modest and covering. So as we went through the dresses my mom pulls out this pretty dress and asks what I think. Honestly, it looked like an older lady’s Sunday dress from the 90’s. So I wrinkled my nose and said, “Nah, it looks too old ladyish.” Then all of the sudden this lady that had been browsing nearby popped over and gasped in an over-exaggerated tone, “Oh my goodness! Did she just say what I think she said? Old ladyish??? Why I never! And here I was about to ask her opinion on this frock. Wait, she probably doesn’t even know what a frock is. It’s an old lady word.” Mom and I couldn’t stop giggling. The lady was just teasing, I knew. And I instantly liked her. As we continued to browse the store we ran into her more than once and she never let that “old ladyish outfit” go! Haha it was too funny. Well we all ended up checking out and walking out into the parking lot together. We explained about looking for a modest party dress and the lady totally understood. We got on the subject of modesty. She told us how hard it was to find clothes for her granddaughters because everything was too tight, too short, too low, too seductive, etc. Even for little girls! We don’t often just run into people who have our same views and it was so refreshing to agree with everything she said. Finally we reached the point of separating to go to our separate cars. The lady bent down to talk to the twins and also looked up to make sure I was listening. She said she was going to tell us something in case we didn’t listen to our mother. This is what she said:
I thought it was the PERFECT analogy. I really liked her. What she said was soooo true! So I want to beg of my friends and other girls who struggle with modesty and feeling attractive. When you pick out a dress with a low v-neck…or skin tight jeans that show your form…or a dress that comes above your knees revealing your legs…think about if you’re unwrapping yourself too much. Will there be anything left for the gift receiver? Will he be surprised? Or if he happens to be there that day you wear a particular dress what will he be attracted to? Your figure? Your legs? Or will he be focused on your face and what’s inside that makes you so beautiful? Think hard about the next outfit you wear. Guys can’t help what they’re attracted to. Yes, they can use some self control and try not to lust, but we can make it so much easier for them if we cover it up! And you may be thinking that I’m no one to talk about it. I admit some things I wear may or may not be what you personally would wear. But I always try my best to stay wrapped up. I want to be attractive but I don’t want to reveal anything that needs to stay wrapped. It’s not my time to bloom yet. But if you’re getting down and depressed – like I’ve been so many times before – and thinking that being modest means you’re not attractive stop and really think. Who would you be attracting with a revealing clothes on? A play-off guy. Who will you attract wearing your modest clothing? The man you will love you for you, share the same interests and probably the same beliefs. And those who think you’re weird to dress that way, forget them. They don’t matter. You don’t want them around you with that attitude anyway. Believe me, you’ll catch more eyes dressing UNLIKE the world than you will trying to blend in. So remember girls, keep it wrapped up ;)
I hope this blog post encouraged you. If so let me know! Comment and share your thoughts! J
I have always been stubborn and adventurous - those were my two traits that could instantly describe me. I was worse when I was in my 10-13th years. And though I'm not proud of it I used to dream of the day I could be on my own, make my own decisions, wear my own clothes MY way, date, party, etc. Typical 13 yr. old I guess.
Well back when I was about 13ish, I was with my Mom headed into town earrrrrrly one morning. We had the radio on 89.1 FM and were listening to a christian talk show featuring a couple named Ludy. At first I was just focused on the trees passing by out the window and trying to catch a little nap before we got to town. But then I started listening to the couple talk about purity, how they met and fell in love. I half-listened for awhile but got more and more interested so I finally opened my eyes and sat up and really listened. I admit that I have been and still am to some degree, a tomboy. But what girl doesn't like a little romance? The way the Ludy couple, Eric and Leslie, talked to each other and told about how they met and found out each other was "the one" was just so romantic and fascinating! I couldn't help but listen and not want the show to end.
Anyway, they talked about how they behaved and kept themselves pure even before they met each other. I can’t remember everything that they said now but I just remember how amazed I was. They talked about how they wanted to give whoever they married their whole self and not a broken heart or a used body. The kept their mind, soul, and body pure for the one they would marry. They even wrote each other love letters! They wrote to someone who they had no idea would receive those letters. Actually I can't remember if they both did or it was just Leslie.... But anyway, after they were married they gave the letters to the receiver they were meant for. When they wrote those letters they had no idea who they were writing to. And once they were married and found out who the receiver was, the letters were perfect. I thought that was silly at first but now I think it's pretty cool!
It was then that I decided that with all my power I’d keep myself pure and unblemished for my future husband. I’d wait for him. However long it took. Though a painful thought ---> if I never do get married I’ll have kept myself pure and untouched for the One who really matters.
All girls want to be admired and feel attractive. Even the worst tomboy has that girlish instinct somewhere deep down. And as girls we can be admired for many things: attitudes, personalities, kindness, compassion, gentleness, etc. You get the idea. Another few things can make us attractive, especially to the people we most want to be attractive to: guys. We can be attractive with pretty faces, figures and forms. And the world seems to think that those last few things are more important than the former traits I mentioned. And the world also seems to think that the more you reveal of your body, the more attractive you are. NO! Proverbs 31:30-31 says: “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.” So if you’re young and pretty and attractive, and you’re vain of your beauty you might be admired for a few years, maybe even many years. But people will begin to see through your fake charm and your beauty will slowly fade away. And what will be left? A haggard, nasty old woman. That NO one likes. And what you did in your youth will be returned to you. So if all you did was flit around from guy to guy and waste your time being a flirt, when you’re old you will have nothing but sad memories. And most likely a broken heart from the man who you thought loved you but he was only infatuated with your beauty and when that faded…he did too. Any man that marries you only for your looks is no man at all.
Yet, as a young woman who fears God, no matter how you look, if your main focus is to serve and please Him, then you will have no worries. When you’re old and worn out, you will have so many people who will return the good and the love you gave them when you were younger. And most likely, you’ll have a loyal man growing old with you. Loving you for who you are, not who you were or what you looked like.
I don’t know about the rest of you girls but so many times I’ve come close to tears when thinking about how unattractive I seem. I would sit and long for someone besides a girlfriend of mine or family to tell me I was beautiful. For someone to say I looked great and not just that “God thinks I’m beautiful.” Yes, I know He does but everyone wants someone in this world to think of them as truly beautiful. But then, after I’ve been depressed long enough, I lift my chin and remember that if someone doesn’t like me for who I am then I don’t need to long for their approval. I am who I am and I don't need to change just to impress someone. If I do end up marrying someone, he needs to love me for my own personality, temperament and my own self.
What I’m trying to say is that if you walk through the mall in skimpy clothes revealing to everyone what your figure looks like yes, you will most likely get several glances from the guys and feel attractive. But what kind of guys are you attracting? The ones that once they have their fun with you they're off to another. But if you walk through the mall in your long skirt and loose blouse the “play-off” guys won’t bother you. But you’ll intrigue Godly young men who are interested in you. Not just your figure. They will be attracted to you because you’re keeping yourself to yourself. And as those boys get to know you and you get to know them, the right one will step out sooner or later. And guess why he’ll love you? He’ll love you for being you. Not for your figure. And then, once you are married he’ll appreciate you keeping yourself covered and no one else in the world knowing what you look like except him. If you’re the girl in the skimpy clothes you’re showing everyone what you’ve got and there is no surprise for your husband. If you get one.
I met a very interesting older lady in Goodwill a few weeks ago. My mom and sisters were helping me to pick out a party dress for a birthday party I was going to that Saturday. Our only trouble was finding something pretty and trendy, yet still modest and covering. So as we went through the dresses my mom pulls out this pretty dress and asks what I think. Honestly, it looked like an older lady’s Sunday dress from the 90’s. So I wrinkled my nose and said, “Nah, it looks too old ladyish.” Then all of the sudden this lady that had been browsing nearby popped over and gasped in an over-exaggerated tone, “Oh my goodness! Did she just say what I think she said? Old ladyish??? Why I never! And here I was about to ask her opinion on this frock. Wait, she probably doesn’t even know what a frock is. It’s an old lady word.” Mom and I couldn’t stop giggling. The lady was just teasing, I knew. And I instantly liked her. As we continued to browse the store we ran into her more than once and she never let that “old ladyish outfit” go! Haha it was too funny. Well we all ended up checking out and walking out into the parking lot together. We explained about looking for a modest party dress and the lady totally understood. We got on the subject of modesty. She told us how hard it was to find clothes for her granddaughters because everything was too tight, too short, too low, too seductive, etc. Even for little girls! We don’t often just run into people who have our same views and it was so refreshing to agree with everything she said. Finally we reached the point of separating to go to our separate cars. The lady bent down to talk to the twins and also looked up to make sure I was listening. She said she was going to tell us something in case we didn’t listen to our mother. This is what she said:
“You know how you like to get presents all wrapped up and secret? You have no idea what’s in there. It’s so exciting to open it and see what’s inside for the first time right? It’s no fun if you already know what’s inside when you open it. That’s how your body should be. Wrap it up good so the boys don’t know what’s inside. You only get one chance to unwrap it. When you get married your husband will be so excited to be the first to open the present, and excited at having no clue what’s inside. Remember, keep it all wrapped up.”
I thought it was the PERFECT analogy. I really liked her. What she said was soooo true! So I want to beg of my friends and other girls who struggle with modesty and feeling attractive. When you pick out a dress with a low v-neck…or skin tight jeans that show your form…or a dress that comes above your knees revealing your legs…think about if you’re unwrapping yourself too much. Will there be anything left for the gift receiver? Will he be surprised? Or if he happens to be there that day you wear a particular dress what will he be attracted to? Your figure? Your legs? Or will he be focused on your face and what’s inside that makes you so beautiful? Think hard about the next outfit you wear. Guys can’t help what they’re attracted to. Yes, they can use some self control and try not to lust, but we can make it so much easier for them if we cover it up! And you may be thinking that I’m no one to talk about it. I admit some things I wear may or may not be what you personally would wear. But I always try my best to stay wrapped up. I want to be attractive but I don’t want to reveal anything that needs to stay wrapped. It’s not my time to bloom yet. But if you’re getting down and depressed – like I’ve been so many times before – and thinking that being modest means you’re not attractive stop and really think. Who would you be attracting with a revealing clothes on? A play-off guy. Who will you attract wearing your modest clothing? The man you will love you for you, share the same interests and probably the same beliefs. And those who think you’re weird to dress that way, forget them. They don’t matter. You don’t want them around you with that attitude anyway. Believe me, you’ll catch more eyes dressing UNLIKE the world than you will trying to blend in. So remember girls, keep it wrapped up ;)
I hope this blog post encouraged you. If so let me know! Comment and share your thoughts! J
Monday, September 12, 2011
No, It's Not My Shop But It's Still Great!
Sooo, I know four other Rachels (actually one is a Rachael and one I don't really know but I'm hoping to meet her this week! haha.) Anyway, 1 of these wonderful Rachels opened up her own online store selling jewelry and pretty things that girls like ;) I love supporting small/hometown/friend's businesses and this falls in the category of a Friend's Business. So will y'all help me help her? Support her super cute little store and help it grow!!!! :)
Friday, September 2, 2011
Bowling Partay!
Oh yes! It was as fun as it sounds! I often feel like I'm the one always being given to and invited places but I'm never giving back or hosting get-togethers so I finally cooked something up. Mom bought extra Ace's Bowling coupons just for me! Isn't she sweet? ;) So I could invite some friendses! I wanted to invite them all! But I could only pick four so finally I sent out invites to my dear friends Danielle, Kristen, Molly and Esther. The time was set for 12:30pm and we were gonna have pizza for lunch and everything! Funses!
And guess what else??? Mom let me drive ALL the way to Montgomery! For the first time in about 2 and 1/2 years since I got my permit! I also got to run some errands so I got practice in changing lanes, pulling through drive thrus, and scaring Mom hehe. Btw, did I mention I was doing all this in a 15 passenger van? I know, I'm awesome ;) LOL But Mom said I did good and I felt really confident, obviously since she had to keep telling me to slow down ;)
So we got to the Bowling Ally on time and Danielle and her mom were the first to arrive! We sat around and talked for a little while and then headed to the pool room to play while we waited on the others. Danielle said she stunk at pool and I know I do but she turned out pretty good! Of course I blame it on distraction of looking for the other girls ;) Esther and her mum were the next to arrive just as Danielle shot her last ball in. Yeah, she won :P We chit chatted ab it and then Molly popped in with her mum! Not long after Kristen swept in with her mom. So we all tittered and chattered while the moms congregated in the corner in their own circle ;) Us girls got all caught up first so we were more than ready when the moms finally broke away haha.
We got lane 15 and started the first game. I couldn't believe how good I was at first! I got a strike on my 2cd turn! I think.... Anyway I guess it was the adrenaline of excitement ;) Danielle got in there and just blew everything out of the water lol! She could swing that ball, just sayin :D Kristen is so gentle and soft that she rolled the ball so softly I wasn't sure it would hit anything but she rolled it so straight!! We all tried rolling like her but I guess only Kristen could perfect it :D Esther looked like a cutie from the 50's with her full white skirt and the bowling shoes :D She's always so pretty :) Molly was soooo cute with what I call her "foot thing". You know how you're supposed to get your right leg out of the way and so you like curl it behind you? Well Molly would just do her foot and it was just the cutest little pose! haha! Anyway, everyone was better than I was at bowling lol but we all weren't the absolute best. So I called us the Loser League haha! Nah, we weren't that bad. But Danielle was the only won who broke 100 so I guess you can figure out who won the first game ;)
The second game we were all worse. Weird I know. From the second frame for like 8 frames I got zero!!! I was stuck at a 6 for over half the game! :P Anyway, Danielle won again and Molly and Kristen tied for second I think. Or maybe it was the third game we played that they tied. Anyway, Danielle won all three LOL Actually 2 and 1/2 games cuz while we were in the middle of taking turns rolling the 15 lb ball the game cut off and our two hours were up :(
So the moms kept on chatting while us girls trooped over to the pool room and played some more pool. Oh! We also tried the Boxer machine! I was the most powerful at about 940 I think (children, it was NOT from spinach ;) hahaha Just go milk your cows lol). Which I was the second smallest girl there I think so I was surprised! Molly wanted to try the dart board so I lent her 50 cents and we never figured the stupid machine out so I joke around and teased Molly that she owes me 50 cents hehehe ;) She's so fun to tease :D Ohhh! Then there was the pinball machine and I won't even go into that hahaha. The girls know what I'm talking about ;)
Ah but finally the fun had to end :( Though we had to drop Kristen off at her house so we got to visit a little longer :) That was fun. Then from Wal-Mart I drove home. After stopping by Russell Do-It where I got my cowgirl hat!!! Whoo hoo! I'm authentic now! You know what I gotta do now? Dress up - gotta get me some cowgirl boots - and go saddle up Latte hahaha!!! (For those of you who don't know, Latte is one of our cows lol)
Anyway, so thank you for reading and thanks girls for coming to the bowling party! I had a "ball" ;) he.he.he
Below are some pics of our funness :D
Hope you enjoyed them! :D
And guess what else??? Mom let me drive ALL the way to Montgomery! For the first time in about 2 and 1/2 years since I got my permit! I also got to run some errands so I got practice in changing lanes, pulling through drive thrus, and scaring Mom hehe. Btw, did I mention I was doing all this in a 15 passenger van? I know, I'm awesome ;) LOL But Mom said I did good and I felt really confident, obviously since she had to keep telling me to slow down ;)
So we got to the Bowling Ally on time and Danielle and her mom were the first to arrive! We sat around and talked for a little while and then headed to the pool room to play while we waited on the others. Danielle said she stunk at pool and I know I do but she turned out pretty good! Of course I blame it on distraction of looking for the other girls ;) Esther and her mum were the next to arrive just as Danielle shot her last ball in. Yeah, she won :P We chit chatted ab it and then Molly popped in with her mum! Not long after Kristen swept in with her mom. So we all tittered and chattered while the moms congregated in the corner in their own circle ;) Us girls got all caught up first so we were more than ready when the moms finally broke away haha.
We got lane 15 and started the first game. I couldn't believe how good I was at first! I got a strike on my 2cd turn! I think.... Anyway I guess it was the adrenaline of excitement ;) Danielle got in there and just blew everything out of the water lol! She could swing that ball, just sayin :D Kristen is so gentle and soft that she rolled the ball so softly I wasn't sure it would hit anything but she rolled it so straight!! We all tried rolling like her but I guess only Kristen could perfect it :D Esther looked like a cutie from the 50's with her full white skirt and the bowling shoes :D She's always so pretty :) Molly was soooo cute with what I call her "foot thing". You know how you're supposed to get your right leg out of the way and so you like curl it behind you? Well Molly would just do her foot and it was just the cutest little pose! haha! Anyway, everyone was better than I was at bowling lol but we all weren't the absolute best. So I called us the Loser League haha! Nah, we weren't that bad. But Danielle was the only won who broke 100 so I guess you can figure out who won the first game ;)
The second game we were all worse. Weird I know. From the second frame for like 8 frames I got zero!!! I was stuck at a 6 for over half the game! :P Anyway, Danielle won again and Molly and Kristen tied for second I think. Or maybe it was the third game we played that they tied. Anyway, Danielle won all three LOL Actually 2 and 1/2 games cuz while we were in the middle of taking turns rolling the 15 lb ball the game cut off and our two hours were up :(
So the moms kept on chatting while us girls trooped over to the pool room and played some more pool. Oh! We also tried the Boxer machine! I was the most powerful at about 940 I think (children, it was NOT from spinach ;) hahaha Just go milk your cows lol). Which I was the second smallest girl there I think so I was surprised! Molly wanted to try the dart board so I lent her 50 cents and we never figured the stupid machine out so I joke around and teased Molly that she owes me 50 cents hehehe ;) She's so fun to tease :D Ohhh! Then there was the pinball machine and I won't even go into that hahaha. The girls know what I'm talking about ;)
Ah but finally the fun had to end :( Though we had to drop Kristen off at her house so we got to visit a little longer :) That was fun. Then from Wal-Mart I drove home. After stopping by Russell Do-It where I got my cowgirl hat!!! Whoo hoo! I'm authentic now! You know what I gotta do now? Dress up - gotta get me some cowgirl boots - and go saddle up Latte hahaha!!! (For those of you who don't know, Latte is one of our cows lol)
Anyway, so thank you for reading and thanks girls for coming to the bowling party! I had a "ball" ;) he.he.he
Below are some pics of our funness :D
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| The AWESOME Loser League ;) |
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| Esther! |
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| Me :) |
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| Danielle with the 15 lb ball |
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| Whew! Talk about heavy! |
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| Haha she thought it was heavy too! |
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| Molly actually hit 3 pins with it! |
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| Had to post this Molly. Your expression is too good :D |
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| Sweet Kristen |
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| Cute Molly |
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| Awesome Danielle |
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| Pretty Esther |
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| Just me ;) |
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| One of her um...interesting...poses... |
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| I can just hear her now... "I'll pay you back! I promise!" ;) |
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| Pinball! |
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| More pinball! We couldn't lose! It was hilarious! |
A couple of edited pics, you know me ;)
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| Me and Esther :) |
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| Ta dah!!! |
Hope you enjoyed them! :D
Saturday, August 6, 2011
A Little Of This & A Little Of That
Ok, so it way past time for me to post about something but my life has been pretty boring lately so I'll post a little of this and a little of that to make it all one big interesting post! How does that sound??? Ok, weird ;P
Saturday night and Sunday night I went to go see Found At The Well - a play that a friend of mine directed and put together and several of my friends were in. It was absolutely superb!!! I loved every minute! Special thanks to Big Bro Adam for taking me again Sunday night ;) Saturday I went with the whole fam and my good friend Danielle. Had a blast :)
Then Monday and Tuesday were so boring and uninteresting I didn't even write a paragraph in my journal. Except Monday I had a pretty bad headache. Dunno what's up with that...
On Wednesday though I got my hair cut!!! Not shorter, but just layered. I had gone through my "snip phase" where I was dying for something different and cutesy - my facebook friends can testify to that haha! But I want to grow it out again because I figure as I get older (and hopefully one day a mommy) I won't have the time or patience to deal with long hair. So if I want long hair, it's got to be now. I also always imagined myself with long hair when I get married. A little strange, but hey, everyone can dream right? ;) So yeah, I'm growing it out again. I got it cut after an Ashley Olsen picture. When it was all done though, it didn't look too much different except for the first layer or two. But omw, it was SO thin! I was devastated at how thin it was!!! I might have gone ahead and chopped it off and felt a lesser sense of loss. My hair had finally regained some of it's thickness from the last time I cut it! Now it's so thin I can't even put it in a clip without it slipping out. Buuuut, once I washed my hair and dried it, it looked better. Of course my right side is perfect but my left side is stubborn and just droops. Grrrr! But anyway, so yeah I have a somewhat new look. It's ok :)
On Thursday I went and got my first EVER pedicure!!! My super Mom got her first one too haha. We had gotten coupons for it otherwise *choke* we'd never have had the wonderful experience. I can't believe people pay that much just to be pampered!!! Personally, I was reluctant to even get a pedicure in the first place because I'm so embarrassed of my feet! I mean, I go barefoot 24/7, especially in the summer! Even last Winter I hardly had on socks. Plus I run around outside barefoot sometimes. That'll toughen your feet! But anyway they took us back into the quiet serene room where two foot bubble baths were going. The lady who was in charge of me told be to go ahead and sit down and soak my feet. We each got to sit in this big comfy swivel chair and put our feet in the bubbly water! Ohhhh it felt so good. Our feet soaked awhile and then the ladies came in. I was SO relieved for the lady who did mine when I saw she had gloves on. Believe me, I knew my feet weren't pretty! So after doing all the dirty work and cleaning and scrubbing my feet, she shaped and clipped my toe nails and massaged my feet and lower legs. It felt great! I hate massaging other people's feet - unless they have clean socks on - but I love having my own feet massaged :D
Ok so then she puts this gray clay mask on my lower legs and got out these HOT towel to wrap my legs in. The first leg she wrapped was ok and she asked if it was too hot. Since it wasn't I told her it was fine. It was. When she put the next towel on my left leg OH MY WORD! I thought I'd been permanently scarred when the towel seared into my leg! Ai yai yai!!! I bit my bottom lip and I'm sure my face got red but I wasn't about to complain, especially after I just told her that it was fine! After a few moments it finally cooled but gee wiz! Whew!
Next she painted my nails. Now, when we had first come into the room she immediately told me to sit down and soak my feet but Mama's girl told her to pick out a nail polish color. Well, I couldn't exactly get up and go pick out a color with my feet soaked. So I figured I'd just tell the girl what color I wanted and she'd know best which shade was best, blah blah blah. HA! I won't do that again. Mom picked out her color and then got to her pedicure. I decided I wanted to be bold and do bright scarlet. So the lady picks out a few shades of red and holds them out. I didn't really like either but went with the brightest. So that's what she did on me. It looked pretty good and then she let me get up and put my feet under this little fan dryer thingy. Mama had gotten started after me so her girl was still chatting and working on her feet. When my feet were done I got up to go look at all the colors. And to my dismay I found a gorgeous variety of colors! It hadn't looked like that many from where I was sitting and most of them looked like they were pink and red. Well, I immediately found this beautiful shade of bright scarlet with sparklies! I was so frustrated that she hadn't held that shade out! Or let me know to pick out my color before I soaked my feet! This color was MUCH brighter than the ones she'd held out! Grrr! The shade I had on I had at home anyway! Well, I'll know better next time. My feet were soft and smelled good and I had a great, neat paint job done. I'd enjoyed it, why get miffed about a shade of red? Mom had picked out a pretty pink color but she's more into darker colors so she wasn't sure. Her girl tested the pink on one toe and then when Mom wasn't satisfied she picked out a metallic purpleish pink. It was gorgeous and totally Mama. So she got that one. I liked her color better than mine but then I took a breath and scolded myself for being so snippity and ungrateful. I'd had a good time and gotten pampered. That was good enough.
Well, then we checked out and realized that we'd both gotten Spa pedicures when Mom was supposed to ge the 1 hr. Spa Pedicure and I was supposed to have gotten the Classic Pedicure - which was a little cheaper. Then I was going to get my eyebrows done at the mall. But since they'd given us both Spa Pedicures we went ahead and paid for it and I didn't get my eyebrows done. Which was ok, I mean it's no biggy. But gee, they should've paid more attention! But we even went to the mall afterwards and got Chinese food so that made me feel better :) Mmmm!
On Friday I literally spent ALL day - give or take a few hours - on Math. Ugh! I'd gotten stuck in a few areas and called my second adopted mother ;) to help me out since she was such a math wiz. I was on the phone with her for over an hour! Then spent more time trying to figure out different equations. Gee, I mean whoever invented Algebra and Trig and all that should've kept their "magnificent discoveries" to themselves. I could give them a few bonks on the head. No every one is a math fanatic like them or Momma B!
And then today our AC went out. Yeah. I was sooooooo hot!!! And so stinkin' humid!!! Plus I woke up with a bad headache. I was all sticky and my hair was an absolute disaster. Which I'm not a fashion queen here but by the end of the day my hair was so limp and pathetic I just looked nasty. Of course I showered and that felt pretty good. It had rained too and I went out there to stand on the deck and cool off! Whew! Tomorrow is going to be sooooo humid...I hate to even think about it. While playing Risk with the kids we had four fans blowing on us. I could kiss the inventor of the Air Conditioner!!!! Now there is someone who put his/her time to good use! ;)
So anyway, maybe my week wasn't too boring. I just can't wait to get my car and be a little more social you know? :)
Saturday night and Sunday night I went to go see Found At The Well - a play that a friend of mine directed and put together and several of my friends were in. It was absolutely superb!!! I loved every minute! Special thanks to Big Bro Adam for taking me again Sunday night ;) Saturday I went with the whole fam and my good friend Danielle. Had a blast :)
Then Monday and Tuesday were so boring and uninteresting I didn't even write a paragraph in my journal. Except Monday I had a pretty bad headache. Dunno what's up with that...
On Wednesday though I got my hair cut!!! Not shorter, but just layered. I had gone through my "snip phase" where I was dying for something different and cutesy - my facebook friends can testify to that haha! But I want to grow it out again because I figure as I get older (and hopefully one day a mommy) I won't have the time or patience to deal with long hair. So if I want long hair, it's got to be now. I also always imagined myself with long hair when I get married. A little strange, but hey, everyone can dream right? ;) So yeah, I'm growing it out again. I got it cut after an Ashley Olsen picture. When it was all done though, it didn't look too much different except for the first layer or two. But omw, it was SO thin! I was devastated at how thin it was!!! I might have gone ahead and chopped it off and felt a lesser sense of loss. My hair had finally regained some of it's thickness from the last time I cut it! Now it's so thin I can't even put it in a clip without it slipping out. Buuuut, once I washed my hair and dried it, it looked better. Of course my right side is perfect but my left side is stubborn and just droops. Grrrr! But anyway, so yeah I have a somewhat new look. It's ok :)
On Thursday I went and got my first EVER pedicure!!! My super Mom got her first one too haha. We had gotten coupons for it otherwise *choke* we'd never have had the wonderful experience. I can't believe people pay that much just to be pampered!!! Personally, I was reluctant to even get a pedicure in the first place because I'm so embarrassed of my feet! I mean, I go barefoot 24/7, especially in the summer! Even last Winter I hardly had on socks. Plus I run around outside barefoot sometimes. That'll toughen your feet! But anyway they took us back into the quiet serene room where two foot bubble baths were going. The lady who was in charge of me told be to go ahead and sit down and soak my feet. We each got to sit in this big comfy swivel chair and put our feet in the bubbly water! Ohhhh it felt so good. Our feet soaked awhile and then the ladies came in. I was SO relieved for the lady who did mine when I saw she had gloves on. Believe me, I knew my feet weren't pretty! So after doing all the dirty work and cleaning and scrubbing my feet, she shaped and clipped my toe nails and massaged my feet and lower legs. It felt great! I hate massaging other people's feet - unless they have clean socks on - but I love having my own feet massaged :D
Ok so then she puts this gray clay mask on my lower legs and got out these HOT towel to wrap my legs in. The first leg she wrapped was ok and she asked if it was too hot. Since it wasn't I told her it was fine. It was. When she put the next towel on my left leg OH MY WORD! I thought I'd been permanently scarred when the towel seared into my leg! Ai yai yai!!! I bit my bottom lip and I'm sure my face got red but I wasn't about to complain, especially after I just told her that it was fine! After a few moments it finally cooled but gee wiz! Whew!
Next she painted my nails. Now, when we had first come into the room she immediately told me to sit down and soak my feet but Mama's girl told her to pick out a nail polish color. Well, I couldn't exactly get up and go pick out a color with my feet soaked. So I figured I'd just tell the girl what color I wanted and she'd know best which shade was best, blah blah blah. HA! I won't do that again. Mom picked out her color and then got to her pedicure. I decided I wanted to be bold and do bright scarlet. So the lady picks out a few shades of red and holds them out. I didn't really like either but went with the brightest. So that's what she did on me. It looked pretty good and then she let me get up and put my feet under this little fan dryer thingy. Mama had gotten started after me so her girl was still chatting and working on her feet. When my feet were done I got up to go look at all the colors. And to my dismay I found a gorgeous variety of colors! It hadn't looked like that many from where I was sitting and most of them looked like they were pink and red. Well, I immediately found this beautiful shade of bright scarlet with sparklies! I was so frustrated that she hadn't held that shade out! Or let me know to pick out my color before I soaked my feet! This color was MUCH brighter than the ones she'd held out! Grrr! The shade I had on I had at home anyway! Well, I'll know better next time. My feet were soft and smelled good and I had a great, neat paint job done. I'd enjoyed it, why get miffed about a shade of red? Mom had picked out a pretty pink color but she's more into darker colors so she wasn't sure. Her girl tested the pink on one toe and then when Mom wasn't satisfied she picked out a metallic purpleish pink. It was gorgeous and totally Mama. So she got that one. I liked her color better than mine but then I took a breath and scolded myself for being so snippity and ungrateful. I'd had a good time and gotten pampered. That was good enough.
Well, then we checked out and realized that we'd both gotten Spa pedicures when Mom was supposed to ge the 1 hr. Spa Pedicure and I was supposed to have gotten the Classic Pedicure - which was a little cheaper. Then I was going to get my eyebrows done at the mall. But since they'd given us both Spa Pedicures we went ahead and paid for it and I didn't get my eyebrows done. Which was ok, I mean it's no biggy. But gee, they should've paid more attention! But we even went to the mall afterwards and got Chinese food so that made me feel better :) Mmmm!
On Friday I literally spent ALL day - give or take a few hours - on Math. Ugh! I'd gotten stuck in a few areas and called my second adopted mother ;) to help me out since she was such a math wiz. I was on the phone with her for over an hour! Then spent more time trying to figure out different equations. Gee, I mean whoever invented Algebra and Trig and all that should've kept their "magnificent discoveries" to themselves. I could give them a few bonks on the head. No every one is a math fanatic like them or Momma B!
And then today our AC went out. Yeah. I was sooooooo hot!!! And so stinkin' humid!!! Plus I woke up with a bad headache. I was all sticky and my hair was an absolute disaster. Which I'm not a fashion queen here but by the end of the day my hair was so limp and pathetic I just looked nasty. Of course I showered and that felt pretty good. It had rained too and I went out there to stand on the deck and cool off! Whew! Tomorrow is going to be sooooo humid...I hate to even think about it. While playing Risk with the kids we had four fans blowing on us. I could kiss the inventor of the Air Conditioner!!!! Now there is someone who put his/her time to good use! ;)
So anyway, maybe my week wasn't too boring. I just can't wait to get my car and be a little more social you know? :)
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Talk About Weathering The Storm...
7:55AM. I moaned and rolled over in bed, fumbling for my alarm. I hit snooze for 5 more minutes. I'd gone to bed on time last night, 10PM, but didn't feel sleepy until 11PM. So much for my exhaustion issues. I tossed and turned for another 45 minutes. Just as I was drifting off, my golden retriever puppy, Elsie, starts whimpering. Urgently. She needed to make an urgent trip outside. Quickly. Once that was taken care of and she finally fell asleep so that I could fall back asleep it was nearly 12:30AM. So nope, I didn't wanna get up this "early".
8:00AM. I turned the alarm off but curled back up. Elsie was starting to wake up, I doubted she'd let me sleep much longer anyway. I did NOT want to go milk that cow. She was stubborn. And annoying. And...and...disgusting. Not for the first time I ask myself why we even have cows. Oh yeah, I remind myself, major saving on milk. Plus it tastes better. But then, is it really worth the extra work? I guess so. I throw back the covers and make myself get up. I wake Joshua up because he's my milking partner. I let Elsie out to use the great outdoors and find that it's drizzling but it's not stormy at all. Weird. I bring Elsie back in and find Josh waiting for me. He wants to know why he's milking and not Mama.
"She has a headache, Josh." I explain. He's grumpy now. "How do you know?" I try not to feel exasperated. "Maybe because she's not awake and getting ready to milk right now? Because she told me last night that she did? Or maybe I know because she was awake at 4 this morning." "All you had to do was tell me that." I'm frustrated now. We need to get going. "Josh, I know what I'm talking about, I don't just say random stuff. Now while we've been here arguing, you could've been getting the bucket of water ready." He stalks off. I finish getting the gallon container and milking cups. Don't worry, we're friends again in five minutes. That's just how brothers and sisters are ;)
I decide to take Elsie with us this time. She and Latte (the cow) don't get along too well but I'm going to let her run around free so if Latte charges her, Elsie can get out of the way. I feel sorry for Elsie. She hates the picket line, she's too mischievous to stay in the kitchen, and she's not fully potty-trained so she can't roam the house. And I can't let her loose outside unless I'm with her. I take her for walks twice a day, but I'm in my senior year of high school and I've got to get school work done. So I decide to let her roam around while we milk and hopefully Latte doesn't have a fit.
We wait a little while for the drizzles to stop and then head up to the Back Pasture. The Front Pasture has a milking shed but the back doesn't. I can't wait until we move them to the Front again! But for now we make do. The dark clouds are rolling in and fog mists around us. We need to hurry if we want to stay dry. I carry the bucket of water and Josh carries the box of supplies. Cleaning Latte is a big deal lol. Anyway Elsie is so happy to be free and running around sniffing everything. She finds a um...*cough*...fresh cow patty. And a...well...*gag*...a little snack. I shudder every time she...yeah.
ANYWAY Latte, as I previously mentioned, is very stubborn. She kicks and messes and gives us plenty of grief. But probably the worst inconvenience is that she won't have a milk let down unless we let the calf nurse. This means that, to get the highest amount of milk that we can, we have to milk her first and usually we get about quart. A very precious quart because we definitely work for it. Since her milk hasn't let down all the way it's very difficult. It's like wringing out a rag that's hardly wet. Definitely defines the muscles in your hands and arms! A drizzle has started back up. Great. I'm tired and now I'm going to be wet and tired. Elsie keeps popping into the pen and we have to chase her out or risk Latte having a "cow" ha. ha. Funny right? Ok maybe not ;) But Elsie ain't allowed inside with Latte because the last thing we need is Latte tearing out of the stall...again. But Elsie picks up pretty quick and runs around but stays within sight and gives up on coming inside.
After we get our desired quart, we back Latte out of the milking stall halfway, rope the calf - who is HUGE now and almost as stubborn as his mama (literally, we've had him drag us across the the pasture while we hang onto the rope! No joke) - and let him nurse. After about two minutes we pull him off which, let me tell ya, is very difficult. Usually takes two people. He's big and strong and stubborn and HUNGRY. He doesn't want to leave her. One person tugs and strains on the rope and the other slaps him on the rump. We prevail and get him out of the pen and move on. Elsie is interested in him and that keeps her preoccupied for a little while :D We wipe Latte's teats off again and now milking is like wringing out a sopped rag. Ah, so easy! Even still, it's not as easy as our other cow Nutmeg who's half Jersey. And SHE isn't as easy as HER Mama, Ginger, who's a full Jersey. Latte is 3/4 Angus, 1/4 Jersey.
Anyway, back to the subject, the rain is falling heavier. It's funny too because Joshua brought up his bulky "waterproof" coat. I had asked him why. "So if it rains, I'll be dry!" He cheerfully explained. Well, he turned out to be the smart one I suppose. I'm just out there in my rolled up jeans, and spongebob t-shirt with the sleeves cut off. The rains keep on and I'm getting soaked. "Hurry!" I call to Joshua. His little hands are pumping as fast as they can but it's not really fast enough. I already switches sides with him while we were working on the first quart. Latte is the hardest cow to milk and Josh is the smallest milker. It's funny to watch him though, he's way cute ^_^. So my side is somewhat done, but the rain is just pouring down. And then I realize, we're getting more milk than the usual a-little-less-than-a-gallon amount. We have a little less than a gallon but the froth from milking has filled up to the top. And we still have a ton of milk left to milk! We need another container. Josh and I are laughing hysterically at milking in the rain. He looks like a wet cat with his not-so-water-proof jacket on and the hood clinging to his wet face. I weigh the options. THE two most important things about a milking cow is to keep her (1) healthy and (2) keep her milk supply as high as possible. To keep her supply up you have to milk every drop out. Then the calf gets what you couldn't get, thus raising the supply. Yeah, it's complicated but you get the idea. To keep her supply up or to raise it we need to milk her out. And for some reason we are suddenly getting a major load of milk today! So on one hand is: We're already wet, we're getting a ton of milk, and Latte - for once - is calm. On the other hand: we've got the usual amount, more actually, we're soaking wet, and we want to be done. Finally I decide....We need another container. "Josh!" I laugh. "I'm going to run back to the house real quick and grab another container. Keep milking!" His little hands are still pumping furiously as the rain pounds down on him. "Okay!" He calls back. I dart out of the pen and call for Elsie. She comes bounding alongside me as we dash through the pasture, out the gate, and into the van. I drive down to the house, burst out of the van and Elsie leaps down beside me. We run up the steps and into the house. I need to put Elsie in her crate. So we run through the house (GASP I know lol) and I pop for a half a second into David's room. He's got his huge headphones on listening to music while he does school work. Gianna and Mama are still asleep. Christie is doing her school work. "Hey, put Elsie in her crate real quick? I'll be back in a minute," I gasp to him and then run back into the kitchen. I'm out the door when I suddenly stop. Did he hear me? Growling in frustration I go back to check. Elsie is still standing in the hall, wet. I peek into David's room again, he's totally oblivious. "David, can you-" He can't hear me with that stupid contraption on his head. "DAVID, can you put Elsie in her crate for me?" Nada. I step into the room and bang on his desk. His head pops up and he whisks the headphones off. Finally! "CanyoupleasetakeElsietohercrate?I'llbebackinalittlewhile!" And I'm out the door with just his shocked expression to tell me he'd heard ;)
Back outside the rain hasn't let up. Poor Josh! I get back up there and run back to him with the container. He's only gotten 2 cups since I left. But he kept at it! :D "Ok ok I'm back! Move to my side and let me milk your side. It's more full." He obeys and runs around Latte to my side that's pretty much empty. Whoosh! Whoosh! After I wiped off my hands and got ahold of her teat I had four cups (which is a full container which means I need to empty into the gallon container) quicker than you can blink. Then Latte decided to get stubborn. She steps forward and her left back leg covers the entire left side of her udder. Josh can't milk. If he gets her to move it could risk her kicking my cup or my arm. "Just leave her, Josh. Wait until she moves on her own." So Josh is doing nothing but sitting in the rain! hahaha! I empty twice and STILL she has more milk. Why did today have to be "overflowing day"??? The rains pours and now a wind has picked up. I empty again. A roll of thunder sounds. Uh oh. Time to go! "Okay Josh, we've got enough for now. Let's go!" We quickly pack up everything and let Latte out of the stall. My hair, shirt and jeans are soaked. Josh's pants and jacket are soaked. Everything is wet. We close up the gates and hurry as quick as we can to get out of there. Once in the van we sit back and breathe. Whew!
And all I had wanted was to sleep......
8:00AM. I turned the alarm off but curled back up. Elsie was starting to wake up, I doubted she'd let me sleep much longer anyway. I did NOT want to go milk that cow. She was stubborn. And annoying. And...and...disgusting. Not for the first time I ask myself why we even have cows. Oh yeah, I remind myself, major saving on milk. Plus it tastes better. But then, is it really worth the extra work? I guess so. I throw back the covers and make myself get up. I wake Joshua up because he's my milking partner. I let Elsie out to use the great outdoors and find that it's drizzling but it's not stormy at all. Weird. I bring Elsie back in and find Josh waiting for me. He wants to know why he's milking and not Mama.
"She has a headache, Josh." I explain. He's grumpy now. "How do you know?" I try not to feel exasperated. "Maybe because she's not awake and getting ready to milk right now? Because she told me last night that she did? Or maybe I know because she was awake at 4 this morning." "All you had to do was tell me that." I'm frustrated now. We need to get going. "Josh, I know what I'm talking about, I don't just say random stuff. Now while we've been here arguing, you could've been getting the bucket of water ready." He stalks off. I finish getting the gallon container and milking cups. Don't worry, we're friends again in five minutes. That's just how brothers and sisters are ;)
I decide to take Elsie with us this time. She and Latte (the cow) don't get along too well but I'm going to let her run around free so if Latte charges her, Elsie can get out of the way. I feel sorry for Elsie. She hates the picket line, she's too mischievous to stay in the kitchen, and she's not fully potty-trained so she can't roam the house. And I can't let her loose outside unless I'm with her. I take her for walks twice a day, but I'm in my senior year of high school and I've got to get school work done. So I decide to let her roam around while we milk and hopefully Latte doesn't have a fit.
We wait a little while for the drizzles to stop and then head up to the Back Pasture. The Front Pasture has a milking shed but the back doesn't. I can't wait until we move them to the Front again! But for now we make do. The dark clouds are rolling in and fog mists around us. We need to hurry if we want to stay dry. I carry the bucket of water and Josh carries the box of supplies. Cleaning Latte is a big deal lol. Anyway Elsie is so happy to be free and running around sniffing everything. She finds a um...*cough*...fresh cow patty. And a...well...*gag*...a little snack. I shudder every time she...yeah.
ANYWAY Latte, as I previously mentioned, is very stubborn. She kicks and messes and gives us plenty of grief. But probably the worst inconvenience is that she won't have a milk let down unless we let the calf nurse. This means that, to get the highest amount of milk that we can, we have to milk her first and usually we get about quart. A very precious quart because we definitely work for it. Since her milk hasn't let down all the way it's very difficult. It's like wringing out a rag that's hardly wet. Definitely defines the muscles in your hands and arms! A drizzle has started back up. Great. I'm tired and now I'm going to be wet and tired. Elsie keeps popping into the pen and we have to chase her out or risk Latte having a "cow" ha. ha. Funny right? Ok maybe not ;) But Elsie ain't allowed inside with Latte because the last thing we need is Latte tearing out of the stall...again. But Elsie picks up pretty quick and runs around but stays within sight and gives up on coming inside.
After we get our desired quart, we back Latte out of the milking stall halfway, rope the calf - who is HUGE now and almost as stubborn as his mama (literally, we've had him drag us across the the pasture while we hang onto the rope! No joke) - and let him nurse. After about two minutes we pull him off which, let me tell ya, is very difficult. Usually takes two people. He's big and strong and stubborn and HUNGRY. He doesn't want to leave her. One person tugs and strains on the rope and the other slaps him on the rump. We prevail and get him out of the pen and move on. Elsie is interested in him and that keeps her preoccupied for a little while :D We wipe Latte's teats off again and now milking is like wringing out a sopped rag. Ah, so easy! Even still, it's not as easy as our other cow Nutmeg who's half Jersey. And SHE isn't as easy as HER Mama, Ginger, who's a full Jersey. Latte is 3/4 Angus, 1/4 Jersey.
Anyway, back to the subject, the rain is falling heavier. It's funny too because Joshua brought up his bulky "waterproof" coat. I had asked him why. "So if it rains, I'll be dry!" He cheerfully explained. Well, he turned out to be the smart one I suppose. I'm just out there in my rolled up jeans, and spongebob t-shirt with the sleeves cut off. The rains keep on and I'm getting soaked. "Hurry!" I call to Joshua. His little hands are pumping as fast as they can but it's not really fast enough. I already switches sides with him while we were working on the first quart. Latte is the hardest cow to milk and Josh is the smallest milker. It's funny to watch him though, he's way cute ^_^. So my side is somewhat done, but the rain is just pouring down. And then I realize, we're getting more milk than the usual a-little-less-than-a-gallon amount. We have a little less than a gallon but the froth from milking has filled up to the top. And we still have a ton of milk left to milk! We need another container. Josh and I are laughing hysterically at milking in the rain. He looks like a wet cat with his not-so-water-proof jacket on and the hood clinging to his wet face. I weigh the options. THE two most important things about a milking cow is to keep her (1) healthy and (2) keep her milk supply as high as possible. To keep her supply up you have to milk every drop out. Then the calf gets what you couldn't get, thus raising the supply. Yeah, it's complicated but you get the idea. To keep her supply up or to raise it we need to milk her out. And for some reason we are suddenly getting a major load of milk today! So on one hand is: We're already wet, we're getting a ton of milk, and Latte - for once - is calm. On the other hand: we've got the usual amount, more actually, we're soaking wet, and we want to be done. Finally I decide....We need another container. "Josh!" I laugh. "I'm going to run back to the house real quick and grab another container. Keep milking!" His little hands are still pumping furiously as the rain pounds down on him. "Okay!" He calls back. I dart out of the pen and call for Elsie. She comes bounding alongside me as we dash through the pasture, out the gate, and into the van. I drive down to the house, burst out of the van and Elsie leaps down beside me. We run up the steps and into the house. I need to put Elsie in her crate. So we run through the house (GASP I know lol) and I pop for a half a second into David's room. He's got his huge headphones on listening to music while he does school work. Gianna and Mama are still asleep. Christie is doing her school work. "Hey, put Elsie in her crate real quick? I'll be back in a minute," I gasp to him and then run back into the kitchen. I'm out the door when I suddenly stop. Did he hear me? Growling in frustration I go back to check. Elsie is still standing in the hall, wet. I peek into David's room again, he's totally oblivious. "David, can you-" He can't hear me with that stupid contraption on his head. "DAVID, can you put Elsie in her crate for me?" Nada. I step into the room and bang on his desk. His head pops up and he whisks the headphones off. Finally! "CanyoupleasetakeElsietohercrate?I'llbebackinalittlewhile!" And I'm out the door with just his shocked expression to tell me he'd heard ;)
Back outside the rain hasn't let up. Poor Josh! I get back up there and run back to him with the container. He's only gotten 2 cups since I left. But he kept at it! :D "Ok ok I'm back! Move to my side and let me milk your side. It's more full." He obeys and runs around Latte to my side that's pretty much empty. Whoosh! Whoosh! After I wiped off my hands and got ahold of her teat I had four cups (which is a full container which means I need to empty into the gallon container) quicker than you can blink. Then Latte decided to get stubborn. She steps forward and her left back leg covers the entire left side of her udder. Josh can't milk. If he gets her to move it could risk her kicking my cup or my arm. "Just leave her, Josh. Wait until she moves on her own." So Josh is doing nothing but sitting in the rain! hahaha! I empty twice and STILL she has more milk. Why did today have to be "overflowing day"??? The rains pours and now a wind has picked up. I empty again. A roll of thunder sounds. Uh oh. Time to go! "Okay Josh, we've got enough for now. Let's go!" We quickly pack up everything and let Latte out of the stall. My hair, shirt and jeans are soaked. Josh's pants and jacket are soaked. Everything is wet. We close up the gates and hurry as quick as we can to get out of there. Once in the van we sit back and breathe. Whew!
And all I had wanted was to sleep......
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