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'

It's SLO Time

Everything went perfectly. Not only is this school highly organized, but everyone was so cheerful and happy. We met up with some friends who's son is also going here. Raquel is doing good. I'd be doing good too if I was hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, doing yoga, biking, going to dances.....etc. She loves her roommates and she's getting ready for classes to start on Monday. It was not a pretty sight as we left, but I do feel better now that we've talked. Now I gotta figure out this me and hubby thing....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.

The end is near

...the end of school or rather, the end of my work year. Yeah, I'm not really gonna miss the baggy jeans with the stripped underwear showing or the foul language or the girl with the white see thru blouse wearing the black bra. Not gonna miss the lack of deodorant or the enormous amounts of Axe cologne. Nor will I miss some one's boyfriend looking at someones girlfriend who is not a friend any more but is having a party this weekend and she wasn't invited but her boyfriend was so she's not gonna go but if he does she's gonna break up with him drama. The nutrient guidelines of cafeteria food will be but a mere thought as I can only stand so much of mac in cheese poured into a day old taco shell. And the echo of the kids shouting, "he butted" while they wait in line to obtain said lunch and me responding with, "butted is not a word...go to the end of the line", will not be heard for the next 12 weeks.

Yes, another year has come and gone and in a blink of an eye soon enough, these heathen children will rule the earth ...I'm just sayin'

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~

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.