Things That Men Just “Need” November 27, 2010

Thanksgiving has passed and Christmas is officially around the corner.  As people have begun asking for Christmas lists from myself and Todd, I’ve been hearing the same phrase anytime I question or try to clarify something on Todd’s Wish List:

“I’m a man, Jessica.  And there’s some things that men just need.”

I’ve since been increasingly enlightened by my dear husband in terms of what exactly he thinks, as a man, that he needs.  Which involved a tour of Rural King to clarify any possible confusion.

Speaking of which, Todd is still available for Rural King tours for those who may be interested.  Fees are negotiable.

 

1.  Chainsaw

Because if someone asks a man to come help cut wood, a man must bring his own chainsaw.  Even if it’s only used once a year.  Even if it’s a $300 monster that’s only used once a year.

 

2.  Ratchet Straps

Because men never know when they’ll need to tie down a large load or help someone else with one of these handy-dandy devices.

3.  Bottle Jack

Because it’s something a man should have.  Period.

4.  Impact

Because a man needs to be ready to change his tires at all times.

5.  Power Tools (of all varieties)

Because a man needs noisy, powerful tools to perform manly jobs.  And here is where preferance might matter the most: DeWalt, Milwaukee, Black & Decker… a man’s brand of power tools is as important as his choice of beer.  And on top of that, he may have a preferance on power– choose between 12 volt, 18 volt, 18 volt XRP, Lithium Ion, and beyond!

6.  Sledgehammer

Because… they’re heavy and manly and get swung around.  Or something like that.  I’m just guessing here.

7.  Sawhorses

Because a man needs to work on big projects with big tools that require sawhorses.  And will most likely involve taking up all the space in the garage.

8.  Tarps

Because they’re so handy and when the times comes that a man needs one, he’ll be glad he has it.

9.  Shop-Vac

Because men do big projects with big tools and make big messes (insert Tim Allen grunt here).  And also because a man officially fails as a man if he gets caught using the household vacuum cleaner.  The Shop-Vac, on the other hand, is a vacuum cleaner on steroids and therefore safe to use.

10. Jumper cables

Because if a stranger flags down a man to assist with jumping their vehicle’s dead battery, a man officially loses his manhood if he’s in a vehicle without jumper cables.  And don’t be fooled in thinking all jumper cables are the same; I’ve been taught to avoid the chintzy ones.  That’s right, my husband used the term chintzy!

Keep in mind that this list is not coming from me; as a woman, I apparently have a skewed sense of a man’s Wish List.  Who knew?

It’s just proving the point that I listened.

So the next time I want that expensive Banana Republic sweater (hey, it’s cheaper than your impact!), or new boots or purse or highlights, it will be my turn to explain:

“I’m a woman, Todd.  And there’s some things that women just need!”

Give Thanks November 24, 2010

It’s Thanksgiving!

Of all the times of the year to sit still and be thankful, this just might be it.

Although I’d recommend sitting and being thankful throughout the year.  It’s kinda like wine for the soul.

Mmmmmm.  Wine.  Sounds even more delicious since I’m sitting at work.

I’m thankful for my family: the people who I call for reasons or for no reason at all.  The people who call me when I seem to have fallen off the earth into a permanent ambulance base.

Who do you call when you’re not sure just how far past an expiration date to go?

I’m thankful for Todd’s family, who I’m blessed to call my family now too.  I’ve never met more welcoming people in my life, and it’s truly a blessing to be so welcomed into their family.  They know how important tight-knit family is, and I love making their traditions part of my traditions.

I’m thankful for my sisters.  Not only do they help me with when to toss an expired pantry item, they make sense out of nonsense… run with me… shop with me… trade books with me… do math for me… support me.  These are the people who know me best and have seen me through every high and low.  I’m so thankful for sisters who are 100% friends.

I’m thankful for a good farming year– good planting, good growing, good harvest, good prices.  But most importantly, I’m thankful for a safe farming year.

I’m thankful for vacation time that led Todd and I out of the metro-east area and forced us to “enjoy the moment.”  We shared experiences with great friends that will never be forgotten:

• Being terrified while white water rafting in West Virginia.  (Okay, I was terrified and Todd was laughing at me instead of clinging to the raft like his life depended on it.)
• Getting drunk on taste tests at some of Kentucky’s premier distilleries.
• Boot-scootin’-boogie-ing in Nashville, Tennessee.

I’m thankful for reasons to tie my laces and push myself.

I don’t think I’ll ever enjoy running, I’m just learning more and more that I don’t hate running.

Which reminds me: I’m thankful for the people who will run (and walk!) with me!  There’s a lot of miles I wouldn’t have run without a buddy.

I’m thankful that I made a big change in employment and it’s all working out.  I’m thankful that I look forward to going to work (on most days… work is still work no matter how much you love what you do!).

And I know that’s because Someone’s looking out for me and answering my prayers.

I’m thankful for great friends.  ‘Nuf said.

I’m thankful for all the awesome family and friends who spent our wedding day being told what to wear, where to stand, what to do for an entire day.

I’m thankful that all these family and friends never need to be told how to be awesome people with big hearts.

I’m thankful that we had such a fabulous wedding day, which wouldn’t have been possible without these fabulous people surrounding us.

I’m thankful for this guy.  For loving me, needing me, and for being my rock.  I’m thankful that he makes home the place I love to be the most. 

I’m thankful that someone I love so very much loves me back just as much.  What a one-if-a-kind feeling! 

I’m thankful I get to call him my husband forever and ever.

Above all, I’m thankful to the Lord who continues to provide me with a humongous list of things to be thankful for!

He answers the prayers I say and the prayers I forget to say.

He’s given me irreplaceable family and friends.  He’s given me a job I love.  He’s given me many abilities and a few talents to boot.  He’s given me my husband.

My thankful runneth over!

To all of you who may have read this far, Happy Thanksgiving! 

May the Lord bless you with as many things to be thankful for as he has done me.

And may your day be filled with family, food, and love!

She He It November 21, 2010

We’re all allowed to have pet peeves, right?

One of my pet peeves is when people refer to straw as hay; and vice versa.  (Visit this post: https://thepleasantfarm.wordpress.com/2010/06/24/if-i-can-teach-you-one-thing-let-it-be-this/ because I’m not smart enough to do the links)

Another pet peeve: calling any four-legged member of cattle a  “cow”.

Cow:  An adult female that has had a calf.

Once a cow, always a cow.  Until a girl has a baby, she cannot be a cow!

Note:  She has an udder which produces milk.  She is lean and powerful.

Heifer: A young female before she has had a calf of her own.

At the time of birth, a female is a heifer.  Until she gives birth herself, she’s still a heifer.

Note:  No udder will be very visible on this girl until she’s close to having her first baby, at which point her udder will produce milk and wah-lah she becomes a cow.

Bull: An intact male.

Intact as in having all his male parts.

Note:  Visible male parts.  Muscular body with thick neck.

Steer: A castrated male.  Once was a bull, now is a steer, could never ever be a cow.

Note:  Steers often resemble the power of a bull, although they are less aggressive and are without testicles.

All cattle can be called calves until they reach adulthood, but to be more specific there are heifer calves, bull calves, and steer calves.  In this picture, there is no way to differentiate gender without taking a peek between their hind legs.

Breeds is a whole other story.  Most of us think of a cow as a black-and-white lady with an udder.  While that certainly does sound like a cow to me as well, there are dairy cows and beef cows– they come in all sizes and color combinations.  I’ve used Holsteins (a breed of dairy cattle) in these pictures, because I discriminate; they’re my favorite breed of all.  So: a black Angus gal with a calf– still a cow.

At our farm, we no longer have cows and are raising heifers for another farmer.  That means:

1. We only have girls.
2. None of them have ever had a baby.
3. None of them are producing milk.

Whew.  Well at least I’ll be sleeping better tonight!

Letter To My Veteran November 12, 2010

I didn’t know you at 17 when you joined the Army.  I didn’t know you when you were serving our country overseas.  I scarcely remember seeing your name occasionally in the local paper, but had no clue when the day came that you returned home.

But I know you now.  I’ve listened to your stories, met your Army buddies, looked at all of your pictures.  I know you lived off Starburst and Korte meat sticks while you were overseas, I know you looked forward to care packages from your family and friends, I know about the good missions and the bad missions.

You’ve taught me how much there is to be proud of as an American and made me realize just how ignorant I used to be.  Your excitement on the 4th of July and Veterans Day makes me excited too, and  your respect to others who have served makes me respect as well.

I wish I had known you then, been the one you looked forward to calling and been the one sending you letters and packages.  As the one who knows you now, it’s easy to see how the Army and your service overseas has made you who you are– loyal, dedicated, passionate, respectful.

Thank you.  Thank you for being one of many who has chosen the path to fight on behalf of the rest of us.  Thank you for the time you spent away from your family in order to help bring peace to the rest of us.  Thank you for teaching me what it’s like to have done what you did and what it means to be a proud American.

I’m proud of you, and so is our country.

More Than Emergencies November 11, 2010

Firefighters wear many hats, and most of those hats aren’t a surprise to the public.  Yes, they respond to fires, car accidents, and falls at the playground.  Yes, they respond along with an ambulance crew to medical emergencies of all varieties.  Yes, they take care of calls with carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms and the smell of smoke or gas.

But I’ve discovered that most people on a volunteer fire department (and I’m sure this is true with full-time career firefighters often too) do this job because while they like fires & car accidents & adrenaline rushes, they also care about their community.

When a fire department is willing to open its station doors, there’s a flood of community groups that are excited to come in, look around, ask questions, and learn.  We have groups of youngsters who come for birthday parties at the fire station, cub scouts & boy scouts who come for tours and presentations on fire safety, 4-H clubs who come for the opportunity to see what volunteer fire departments do, and high school classes who visit during discussions on public service and career paths.

Little kids get the excitement of trucks, flashing lights, and heavy gear.  Older kids get the knowledge of safety and prevention.  And for the adults who come along to supervise their children, fire departments get the chance to spread the importance of properly marked addresses, answer questions regarding the use of tax dollars & insurance premiums, and improve public relations.

Being on a fire department isn’t about wearing a t-shirt with a logo, installing a flashing blue light in your truck, and showing off a pager on your belt.

It’s about being there, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, for your community.

“Wild” Country November 9, 2010

In my experience, it seems that Wild Country in Collinsville is a good place for:

a.  19-20 year olds that get excited about a “nightclub” scene and an excuse to wear as few clothes as possible

b.  the older generation (define as you may) that get excited about somewhere to go and, often times, be creepy

c.  normal people who like to, and are good at, dancing

Since I don’t fit into any of these categories (I sure do wish I could dance!), Wild Country is a place I’ve been to just a handful of times.  But when Crazy Heather comes to town and says “I want to go to Wild Country!”, then I guess that’s what we’ll do!

And with a big group of great friends looking to have a great time, it’s no surprise that we did!

Just a handful of our gals.

Two of our "cowboys"...

For those who don't want to dance!

It's okay, because clearly my husband isn't interested!

Who's the lucky one?

Highlights of our night:

• “I’m the pole!  I’m the pole!”  Jackie, competing with the actual pole in the middle of the dance floor, while Heather took advantage of Jackie-the-Pole.
• Watching people on the mechanical bull.  Actually, this could be classified under lowlights also… I personally have no interest in watching young girls in skirts attempt a mechanical bull.
• People-watching in general.
• Learning some dances, and being completely incapable of others.
• Watching Jerod & Lindsey dance together… so good and so cute!
• $1 beer and zero drinks on the dancefloor, which is a particularly good thing considering how intense some people get while line-dancing.

So Heather, where are we going next time?

I Don’t Like Fire Trucks November 3, 2010

I don’t like fire trucks.

I like tractors, especially the blue tractors.  I like concrete trucks and wagons and choo-choo trains.

But I do not like fire trucks.

I don’t like fire trucks, but I want to walk around and see them.  Good luck keeping up with me!

Grandpa, I don’t like fire trucks.  But I’ll sit here with you… for a second.

Grandma, I don’t like fire trucks.  But will you lift me up so I can play with them?

Put me down, Aunt Jessie.  I don’t like fire trucks!

I like blue tractors.

I like the levers and hoses.  But I don’t like fire trucks.

I know all about pumpers & tankers & port-a-tanks.

But I don’t like fire trucks.

I want to see every lever & gauge, but I don’t like fire trucks.

I love to see the lights come on, and I notice the ones that don’t light up.

But I do not like fire trucks.

If you turn on all the flashing red & blue lights just for me, I’ll sneak a teeny-tiny smile.

But I hope you don’t forget. 

I don’t like fire trucks!

Monkeys, Elephants, & Fire Trucks November 2, 2010

Trick or Treat!

For the very first time, Highland-Pierron Fire Department opened its station, trucks, and kitchen to the people of the community to stop by for Halloween fun.  Since we’d never attempted such a “party”, we weren’t quite sure what sort of turn-out to expect; we just thought it would be a good excuse to have somewhat of an Open House and invite people to see their fire station, trucks, and volunteers.

88 hot dogs.

4 gallons of delicious chili.  (Thanks Chef Joe)

5 2-liter bottles of soda.

Countless packets of hot chocolate.

Success!!!

We had a toasty fire, straw bales, and obviously candy for the kids too.  The event was scheduled from 5-9pm, and we had visitors from 5-8:50pm without a break.  With minimal advertising, we drew quite the crowd!

Enjoy these pictures from Halloween at the Firehouse.

Kendyll the Monkey

Braxdon the Pirate (who decided last minute he didn't want to be his sister's banana)

Todd with Emma the Elephant

Firemen waiting for Trick-or-Treaters

A Hungry Crowd!

Emma the Elephant... again 🙂

A Pillsbury Dough Boy covered in rats (maybe?)

Todd Pedalling Candy

John the Mechanic

A Fireman!

Gus the Greaser

My Adorable Nephews 🙂

Husband & Wife *grin*

Fireman Jerod and Trick-or-Treaters

I needed the warmth from this fire!

Adrianna, the most beautiful Snow White

Conner the Firefighter

Anthony the Ninja, fighting Ryan

Bella the Kitty Cat

Luke, the poster boy for Uncle Sam

Rhett the Garden Gnome

Luke got the 1st chance to beat the fire truck pinata with a stick.

Suspended from a pike pole, Conner had some better luck at the pinata!

Maybe Emma will be big enough for the pinata next year. Until then, she just gets to watch!

Tiffany, I think that baby is working on an exit strategy RIGHT NOW!

Gavin the Monkey

The firehouse has turned into a zoo!

Todd & Ryan trying to unload some of our extra candy by shoving it into Rhett's costume...

... but John busted them, and shook all the candy back out!

Fireman Bange jumping over Uncle Sam... for no real reason.

The HPFD Group (Yes it's dark. It was a dark, dark night.)

Things that surprised me:

1. When you offer 99% of kids the cauldron of candy, they take just one piece.  Way to go parents!
2. The number of people who stopped by to join us was beyond expected.
3. Parents and kids are full of really good fire department questions that we had fun answering.
4. We had lots of candy left over, but only 2 hot dogs!
5. People on the fire department without kids of their own to spend Halloween with had a blast setting up, tearing down, and hanging out for over 4 hours.

I’m pretty confident Highland-Pierron Fire Department will be sponsoring this event again next year.  And I can’t wait to see what all the zoo animals, Power Rangers, and firefighters choose to be in 2011!!!