The Blog Doesn't Fall Far....

Well, I'm a little surprised. Raquel was given an assignment in her Ag. Communications class and it was to create a blog. Out of my two daughters, I'd say that Meredith was more like me, but now I'm seeing a little more of me in the younger one. I asked her permission if I could put this on MY blog and she said "Go for It"...so I am.

If your interested in Agriculture, Horticulture, Animals, Nutrition or just plain nosy like I am most of the time OR....If you care about me and my well being and state of mind...go check it out....HERE

And if you really really want to...you can follow her. She's kinda easy to know...I'm just sayin'

A Change is Gonna Come

I have been dreading this post. It's been on my mind for a while now and I've tried to come up with something clever and witty, but all I get in my head is sadness. I shouldn't be sad. I should be happy, upbeat and positive and I am...but I'm sad too, perhaps I'm many things, least of all....worried.

We are on our way to SLO and I'm sure we are laughing and singing in the car mixed in with a few words of wisdom from me and Eric, but I know my family, I know my daughter and I know myself. There will be an underlining feeling of sadness and the "not knowing" of what the future will bring. But when I think about it, this is what she has worked so hard for...This IS the future...it is happening NOW. I don't have to tell you all the work, effort and time she has put in to get to this place, nor do I have to pledge my love and pride I have...but this time has come way too fast.

And so, with all this said and done, here we are, taking the next step in hopes that everything will turn out alright and it probably will.

Inserts

Just a little note to let you know what's up and where I be. I know you worry your little blogs off If you don't hear from me (insert sarcasm) on a weekly basis.

Although the Fair is still going on, Raquel, our FFA and Small's part is done. Smalls placed 4th in Market and didn't place at all in Show, which is fine because.....wait for it.......Raquel was awarded another College Scholarship at an award ceremony. Every bit helps right?

Eric and I went to the beach yesterday and it was a beautiful day, although, I forgot the camera but trust me, it was wonderful. Especially when the dolphins swam by and play with the surfers and that one seal body surfed with a couple of people...yup, woulda coulda shoulda taken a pic.

Been busy creating tea candle holders outta shot glasses...ehh...we don't drink much anyways, (insert levity) so no ones gonna miss em'.




And now I'm gone to Scottsdale and staying in the lap of luxury here cuz the company pays for it...Brenda's company that is. I will be meeting up with an old friend from High School who wound up in the surrounding area, living on a reservation. And then, we will be traveling to here
for a few days of business, well, not me but Brenda's biz...my business is being the best friend ever...but I think she won. Oh yeah, I'll take a lot of pic (insert determination) because my camera's already in the car.....

See you when I get back (insert goodbye wave)

Magic

For someone who likes farms,manure, animals and agriculture....you sure clean up good...


prom

my heart

College Pics

I finally have my camera back which leads me to think that Raquel is gonna need her own camera this coming Sept.

Cal Poly SLO Campus which sits in a valley surrounded by lush (right now) green hills

the dorms

does she fit in?

I'd say YEP!!! Go Mustangs!!!

Just the Two of Us

Just resting up from a frenzied weekend. Raquel and I left for San Luis Obsipo on Thursday morning and came back home Friday night. The college of her choice had an open house all this weekend and the only days she could go were Thursday and Friday as she had to be in Fresno on Saturday. The open house was very impressive and I just couldn't believe how organized and well orchestrated the event was. Raquel met with her Ag teachers and was surprised to learn that she actually knew one from all the livestock events she's been involved with over the past 4 years.
She changed her Major from Ag. Science to Ag. Communications, but knowing her, she'll do both.
Ag. Communications is right up her alley. It involves Animals, Food,Writing, Art and public speaking...all the things she enjoys. Yep, she LOVES public speaking which I found out is people's #1 fear. This surprises us because as a kid, if we were at a park and other kids came around, she'd wanna leave or, if she needed another packet of ketchup from the McDonald's counters, she wouldn't go get it...until people left the area....Who knew?

We had a great time the two of us traveling along 101 hwy singing country tunes and talking 'bout college, guys, Ag. and life. How she got so smart is beyond me and after visiting the campus for the 2nd time, I'm more than sure she made the right decision. As soon as we came home from up north, she had to repack and head on up again with her FFA officer team to Fresno for the State Conference where they will vote on the next FFA State Officers. She will be busy with evens, activities, meetings and I hear a concert with Gloriana (never heard of them) and Cheryl Crow...I heard of her...lol

Anyways, Eric and I have been on our own for a couple of days with more to come as she doesn't come home till Tuesday and just let me say that it's really strange and really quiet around here.
As we were eating dinner last night, just the two of us, I said, "so this is how it's gonna be huh?",
his reply," Yep babe...just you and me....forever" San Luis Obsipo is only a 4 hour drive....I bet I can make it in 3 1/2....I'm just sayin'

ps. I have pics but not the camera at this time...perhaps later~

She's at it Again...

Raquel adopted an orphaned Steer, yeppers, a new addition to our family. What could she do but to take on another challenge. It's not like we're gonna get another addition next month...or a couple more in February...sheesh!

No name yet and he's just a baby. He only weighs in at 600ish lbs.

Coming in early December....Zanzibar...a milking goat...a very pregnant milking goat..
double sheesh!!

Oh yeah, and she was promoted to President of our local FFA chapter...which means more responsibility and work, but honestly, she loves it and as long as she can handle it we're all on board.....Goat Milk or Soap anyone?
I'm just askin'


update: His name is Screwball Smalls...smalls for short, because according to Raquel, he was the smallest steer and he's crazy...good to know Raquel...sheesh!!

Once Upon a Time....

17 years ago, in a land far far away, on a rainy day, under anesthesia, you were born in a hospital that doesn't exists anymore...and it was one of the greatest gifts EVER givin' to me.

You just keep givin' and givin' and givin'


Happy Birthday Raquel...we love you more than this dumb blog can tell

Are We Crazy

to let these two go on Vacation with his family

a thousand miles away to an Island Paradise?

Because that's where they are.

Call us naive or too liberal but we'd like to think we're trusting and confident...Oh yeah and a little jealous.

Pile of Piglets and One Happy Camper

One of the sows at the farm had her babies...12 of em'. Aren't they the cutest thing? I like the pink piglets the most but these are right up there. There is another sow that is due in about 2 weeks and her babies should be pink...Interesting fact about expecting sows..their gestation length is, 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days.

These are 2 days old..7 girls and 5 boys. I couldn't get too close as this mommy pig was a little temperamental and cranky.

On another note: Today was Raquel's first day at the fair. Although the fair doesn't open till tomorrow, everyone needed to arrive this morning very early to help set up. She was so excited.
hmmm, wonder if it's because her boyfriend will be there too...EVERY FRIKEN' DAY...nahh!!!

SLO

Stands for San Luis Obispo, which is where we were this past weekend. Taking a very well guided tour of the college there. It is the 2nd biggest campus (acres) in California...Berkeley being the 1st.
One of the top 10 ag schools in the country and the 2nd college we have toured to date...we have 2 more to go. The difference between southern cali from the middle of cali as far as looks go...is astounding. Coming over the LA valley into Camarillo is an eye opener...look at all the agriculture.
We spotted and smelled strawberries, onions, olive trees, almond trees, corn and tons and tons of grape vines...

Next thing we know...we're driving, with the coast on one side

and acres and acres of fields on the other

We stayed in Pismo beach were it was very cold and overcast. Last time Eric and I stayed there it was so windy we were practically etched by all the blowing sand

Raquel was excited to finally check out the school

they offer everything she's interested in...you know....large animals, baby animals, plants,manure, dirt...ect

We visited downtown SLO and took in some of the ambiance, but keeping in mind...it is a college town and everything it seemed, was run by students. We had a very good Italian dinner and walked around a bit. This bridge and walkway was next to our Restaurant...along with a creek...you don't find that in LA...unless Stephen Spielberg put it there...lol

Needless to say, we were all impressed, the guide was very informative and entertaining and answered all our questions and now...it's all up to Raquel...but I still don't wanna talk about it
I'm just sayin'!

The New V.P

Most of you know that my daughter Raquel is in the FFA. For those of you who don't know what that is, it means Future Farmers of America. Now, back in the day and when I say the day, I mean waaay back, this group was actually for farmers across America. It helped them to network and learn more about farming along with the latest techniques in growing food and raising market animals.

Now, it's much more involved and evolved. They still network and learn the lasted technical advances in raising crops and market animal but the FFA now has ventured into environmental sciences, vet sciences, Ag. bio, research, and the latest issues of our world like global warming and yes, cloning. They give out badges and pins and college scholarships. There are meetings and conventions very local and very far away in other states that include the best of the best. All this while learning and raising either an animal to show at auction at State Fair or a full out garden. But most importantly, it helps kids to work together as a team and to eventually become a leader in whatever they choose in life. Think of this group like the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts...same intentions.

This is my daughters 3rd year and each year she gets more and more involved. Seems like she spends more time down at the farm than she does at home..which is OK because she has come out of her shell. Raquel used to be very passive (not from me) and introverted and little by little with the love of horses and her riding and the FFA she has blossomed into a very confident and assertive young lady...so much so that...


She is now the Vice President of our Chapter of the FFA




Snazzy uniform huh? Yeah, I know she looks twelve, but she's almost seventeen. We're so proud of her and all her accomplishments. All this with a GPA of 4.1 (not from me either) and the judgment of an adult. Congrats to my baby...the VP.

Steer this way

Well, I've been to a Horse Show and a Lamb Show but this was my first Cattle Show. Raquel's Heifer, Rogue, was in a local Cattle Show that the students use as a practice run.
The whole week before this show, she would run over to the farm and tend to her little girl by washing her and yes, blow drying her, combing her hair and clipping her. The farm was all a buzz and the students were very intense and focused. All went well and when it was all over everyone sighed with relief and exhaled. The kids had a good time and learned so much. From now on till the Fair (the end of July) it's practice practice and more practice.



















Lining up and ready to rock and roll!



Rogue and Raquel with a practically perfect pose





and lining up while being judge...what fun!
















For the Market Competition, which means the judges look at muscle and proportions and the physicality of the cattle, she received 7th place.

And for the Showmanship Competition which means how Rogue stands, behaves, hair and all the aesthetics...which includes how Raquel shows her heifer, she received 9th place.

Raquel is one happy cattle camper ~


update...she now has a lamb too and she had to read Animal Farm this weekend...Is it me or has my life turned into one big barnyard bruhaha?...lol I'll have pics of the little lambykins soon.

piggie heaven

The sow at Raquel's school farm had babies unexpectedly over night and Raquel was the first one in the morning to find them. They were struggling in the cold of the concrete pen and a couple of them we're barely hanging on. Little by little with the help of her fellow AG and FFA friends, they transported the whole family to the warmth of a snugly and appropriate pig condo.


Aren't they the cutest little piggies you've ever seen?




There are six all together...5 males and 1 female and they are 2 days old.
I wanna take them all home ~

New temporary family member....

Yes it's true, we have a new 5 month old in our family...a heifer by the name of Rogue. Raquel is at it again with her school's farm project, except that instead of starting with a lamb in the Spring, she is starting with a heifer now until she sell her at auction in July. And, when Spring does come around, she will acquire a lamb for the same auction...two animals this year.

For all you city folk, a heifer is a young cow and by the end of the school year she will weight roughly 1,300 lbs. Now, Raquel is use to riding horses which also weight that amount but the difference is on a horse you are on top of them riding and controlling at the same time. With a cow you are side by side trying to train them for show. Not easy when 1,300 lbs doesn't want to move or do what you want her to do. I have no doubt that Raquel will do well as she is obsesses with animals and has a good head on her shoulders. She's already taken her Christmas pictures with Rogue.



So Merry Christmas and Happy MOOOO Year from our animals to your!

Sweet Sixteen

I knew in your little baby body that you were an old soul. How did I know? When I looked you in the eyes and cooed to you, you literally had a cooing conversation back, it didn't matter how long I conversed with you, you were always willing to chat at any length. Later when you were about 4 years old playing with a stuffed bear, I asked you what your bear's name was, your response, "Mom, it doesn't have a name...it's not a real bear"...or when I would remind you to pick up your toys when you were done...again your response, "You know, you don't have to keep reminding me" and the time when you were in 3 rd grade when you told me I didn't have to wake you up anymore for school if I bought you an alarm clock, in which I did and I literally haven't woken you up for anything since. I know that being such a rational and practical being can be stressful at times and it's very frustrating to you that the world is not black and white, because it would be a whole lot easier if it was, but you are truly a wise young lady. Your wise because you have manage to combine hard work, compassion, caring and silliness all together. Your hard work has managed to get you at the top of your class and rewarded you with honors and accolades, your compassion has led you to help others when they couldn't find their voice and to speak out, even if it meant putting yourself in a bad light, caring for not only people and animals, but caring for your community and the planet and wise for letting it all go and being silly and enjoying yourself in the moment. You have been and I know you will continue to be a wonderful daughter...no pressure, I know you put enough on yourself. Dad and I love you with all our heart and want to wish you a very happy 16th birthday today and only wish great things for you in the future....and NO, we're not buying you a horse!