The Adventures Continue

What a busy, fun summer it has been thus far, and with only a month left until school starts, the end is proving to be just as full as the beginning. Stella and I are now fully settled and a majority of the decorating is complete. I have decided that this weather in Oklahoma is for the birds! I can't remember a day when is was cooler than 100. I mean honestly. However, I have come to the conclusion that as a reward to the people of Sillwater for not leaving completely during the summer months, the city hostsKrazy Days, a 3 day shopping adventure. Ok, I;m sure it's just to bring out the crazy shoppers like me. But, I am determined to behave myself.

I guess I shouldn't complain because despite the heat, the humidity hasn't been too off the chart. After checking the weather in New Orleans, I am sad to say it's going to be in the 90s with 94% humidity. This is not fun, I mean talk about sticky! Despite the weather, I am totally excited about Ag Media Summit. Meeting new people, catching up with old friends and networking will combat the weather nicely, I'm sure. 

Then, it only two and half weeks until Ryan and I go to Denver on vacay and school starts. I never thought I'd be excited for school, but if it means we finally live in the same town after 4.5 years, I'm game.  Looking forward to the next month, event the lawn mowers races at the end of the month! Updates on the conference and travels soon.

Until next time- KK

Colorado and Stella's New Digs

After signing my lease and two hours of painting, I left Okieville for the mountains of Colorado. However, I did make a brief pit stop at Ryan's to find out he got sheep fungus under his beard.  I told him the beard was a bad idea.  I mean, we aren't Brian Wilson now. Anways, After the 12 hour drive, parts of which were on the side of a cliff, I was happy to reach Pagosa Springs. So was my family, one because they were hungry and two because my mother was worried because she couldn't find my location on a map. Yes, she would chip me like a dog if I'd let her. Anyways, after two early mornings and lots of fishing,  I am happy to announce I won the fishing contest with 13 fish including blue gill, perch, trout and a bass.

Then, my family decided to drive to Oklahoma to help me move, a choice I am very much appreciative of. However, following dad back proved challenging. We drove all day and unpacked until 11:30 pm, then got up at 6 and unpacked some more. One thing my family did decide was that I have too much stuff and that they have a much more realistic idea of Oklahoma weather. I am happy to say  I returned my old apartment keys today and Stella is very happy in her new house. She was a little nervous to say the least.

After catching up wit h the bestie over the weekend, it's back to work for 2.5 weeks. I was also enlightened today about an event called Krazy Dayz, which is a town-wide side walk sale. Retails stores all over town have huge sales. So far certainly the highlight to staying here over the summer. Maybe that's how they reward people for not deserting over the summer... haha. Then, it's off to New Orleans for some Ag Comm fun and learning. Looking forward to more officer bonding and networking.

The weeks ahead are looking promising.

An A Serious Note- 4-H Desensitizing Kids- WHAT!!!

After perusing facebook, I noticed a fellow facebooker posted this link, http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/06/23/does-4-h-desensitize-kids-to-killing/?hpt=ea_r5.

Upon following it, I was astonished to find there are those out there who feel 4-H and FFA (I added that myself) are desensitizing  youth in regards to animal killing. Let me just share, that as past 4-H and FFA member, this couldn't be farther from the truth.  If anything, these programs made me a more compassionate person. Each of my animals had a name and it was hard to sell them with the understanding they would eventually be meat. However, the flip side is that Bubba, Happy, and the others provided nutrition to families such as mine.  I quite often consume animals I have raised.

Being in youth agriculture programs instilled in me a respect for hard work, the agricultural lifestyle and compassion and even respect for the animals I raised. At a young age, I learned that these type of animal are production animals and only were companions in the short-term. It doesn't mean that I don't have compassion for dying animals  (both companion and non) or that I wish to witness inhumane harvesting of animals either. It does mean I understand the process and can make informed choices about the products I eat and respect the farmer who worked hard to produce the food I consume.

Although I respect the opinions of others who believe differently than I do,  I can say from experience that I became more compassionate and aware not less. This does not prevent me from enjoying the protein and nutrients found in meats provided to me from humanely harvest 4-H ,and FFA products as well as large-scale operations.

Colorado and a New Place All in the Same Week!

Thank heavens for hump day! It will be great to talk to my good friend Charlie. He always seems to make life seem happier. Then, it's back to packing up my house for hte move next weekend. but in the process,  I have t pack my suitcase for my family vacation to Colorado. It ought to be really fun and interesting (especially if they bring Molly, our lab). I am not necessarily looking forward to the 12 hours drive alone, but  Ibet  it will be pretty this time of year.

Sad to have missed my sister's last county fair and my first missed show in 13 years. But It will be nice to have some family time. Then, it' back home to move my house about 70 yards. LOL. Hopefully Ryan and I will be able to complete the move and have my old house cleaned in 2 days time.

Then, three weeks after the move I will be headed to New Orleans for AMS. It should be a great time reconnecting with friends and making new ones. Plus, after looking at the tentative schedule, it seems like there are some wonderful workshops to glean information from this yearSchool will start not too far after that and  I will being working on my thesis... YIKES.

In closing, my thoughts go out to those in my life present and past who have gotten terrible news about their health this week. As always, Stella is good.

Family Vacay

It was great getting back to California for a few days. We had a ton of fun hanging out and enjoying each other's company. I got to see grandparents, aunts and cousins I hadn't seen in far too long. I very much appreciated my family's spirit when picking me up at 11 p.m. They each wore OSU gear and had a welcome home sign that was spelled wrong in true Okie fashion. LOL.

I of course got to see the fair animals and wish them luck at the San Joaquin County Fair. This will be the fist fair I have missed in 13 years. I am a little sad about it to say the least. As always I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of the pets and must say that Sweetpea has really let herself go....

We took a day trip to Monterey where we went to the aquarium. It was a very fun trip to say the least. In addition, we went to the Gilroy outlets. I am officially in LOVE. Got a few cute things including the trouser jeans I have searched years to find :)

We concluded the trip with a Giants game. It may have started out slow, with Giants down 4 to in the 8th. But once we left the game turned around. We won in the 13th inning, the inning I watched from my couch and hour and 15 minutes away from the Field. HAHA.

Overall, it was a wonderful trip. Wish Ryan had been able to, but we might have to have our own vacay later this summer.  I am taking suggestions. Finally, I just got to see my Seedstock Edge story in print, which is a cool feeling. In just over 3 weeks  I will get to move into my big girl apartment and take another family trip to Colorado. What a fun month it will be.

As always Stella is great, despite my departure. She is just happy mommy is home.

Summer Fun!

After a fairly traumatic week,  I can confidently say I am ready for a break. My personal life is settling down and my sister, who some of you may know was in two car accidents, but wasn't hurt (thnakfully)! So, not too much to wine about.

We have put on three large events at work over the past three weeks, each of which went very well.  My first semester of grad school was extremely successful and  I look forward to moving through the program and graduating in Dec. 2012.

I am continuing work close to full time the rest of the summer, but have a few vacations planned. After finding some cat sitters,  I am now looking forward to going  home for a bit. It will be great to see my family and friends. Ryan and I are traveling home together and will spend a large portion of our time at the sheep show in Reno. Should be a fun time. Then, some shopping and girl time with the extended family. And finally, going to a Giants game. I haven't been in far too long.

Also looking to the future is AMS- Ag Media Summit.  I can't wait to be with fellow ACT members in New Orleans for learning and bonding. I will also be retiring from national ACT office.  I encourage anyone thinking about doing it to go for it. It is a wonderful experience.

And as always, Stella is doing great! Although, she and  I both don't appreciate tornado season.

Graduations and Such

Well, this week work went well and we got a tone accomplished. Two conferences this week and two newsletters to work on. Should keep me pretty busy. I spent Thursday and Friday involved in Redlands Community College graduation activities. Ryan and his judging teammates graduated and are moving on to the next phase in life. If we could just find a place for Ryan to live, we'd be good to go.

The weather has been optimal for pleasure reading and house cleaning. Stella continues to do well and run around like she owns the place, which she does. In two weeks I will be spending some much needed time at home with the family. I might even get to see some extended family and do some shopping. However, probably my favorite is the Giants game we are going to :) It has been way to long since I've seen them play.

Until next time!