Thank a Farmer

WARNING: SOAPBOX ISSUE

I watch the Georgia Farm Monitor each week - this is a show produced by the Georgia Farm Bureau and for me, it is a way to stay connected to home, learn new things about my home state, and learn more about agriculture.  Obviously having a grandfather that farmed and having my other grandparents live beside a massive dairy growing up, I have a significant appreciation for farming and farmers. 

I also understand that unlike most of us, farmers (and ranchers, dairymen, etc) put everything on the line and are at the mercy of really one thing - the weather.  Something they have no control over - bad weather can mean no crop, which basically means no money.  Think about that for a minute.  Sure, USDA offers crop insurance but keep in mind - that isn't a given - each year cuts are discussed for it (and yes, I am sure some people cheat the system, but not everyone).  And there are other factors, but more and more it comes back to the weather.  Then toss in increase in gas prices which is required to operate the equipment that is required to plant and harvest crops or feed the cattle or deliver the milk...then all these new EPA regulations on everything from pollution (yes cows produce methane, yes it is considered a pollutant that some have tried to regulate - so please tell me where to get my milk or beef if cows are now regulated for the bodily functions) to medications.  Now I understand we have got to regulate things, but when those that grow our food can no longer operate because of cost, we have a problem.  Get beyond food - what about cotton?  Are we going to become completely dependent on other countries to grow one of the most basic, most commonly used fibers??

Anyway - back off the regulation issues - back to the life of a farmer.  I can't say it any better than to share a real life story.  I encourage you to watch this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMSFN8FFRXQ&feature=channel_video_title).  A childhood friend (honestly she was born 5 days after me at the same hospital - we have been friends since we met in the hospital nursery) and her husband have been selected as a finalist for a Farm Bureau award.  If selected, they win a trip to Hawaii.  After you watch this, I think you will agree with me - they deserve this trip - they need a break.  Even Andrew said, "my hours aren't as bad as the hours they put in each day, and they don't even know if they will break even."

I say all of this for one reason - to ask you to Thank a Farmer.  To all of my young friends that are continuing on the tradition and for those in my family still keeping up the cows, thank you. 

And I leave with my the prayer my parents taught MB and I, "Thank you, God, for bread and milk and other things so good.  Thank you, God, for those who grow and cook our food. Amen." 

Ouzts Thanksgiving

I am super thankful and filled with warm gratitude to have in-laws that I truly enjoy.  Here is a picture sample of our evening together.

Greenhood...I mean, Greenwood

My dear former co-worker that left us for Viking, Kim, has renamed Greenwood to Greenhood.  Here is a prime example of the reason for this new name.

I encourage you to click the picture for a larger view and please, oh please, let me know what Christmas decorations you can identify.  Oh and if you can tell me what those red things are - Lesley and I will both sleep better tonight.

Thanksgiving

Are you ready for this? 

I have hit or miss pictures - but here are some highlights.  We were able to go to Madison on Tuesday afternoon, but drove in terrible storms (including tornado warnings)...it took 7.5 hours - usually takes slightly over 6 hours.  We made it safely and for that we were extremely thankful.  During the trip, we were taught that if Tucker starts panting uncontrollably in the car, it is his way of telling us he needs a potty break.  We learned the hard way - he wee'd in the car on his bed.  I caught it the best I could in a Chick-Fil-A kid's cup.  It was his first accident in the car ever.  Poor boy - didn't know how to tell us to he needed to go when in the car.  He held it for nearly 3 hours.  I was not thankful for this experience...I also was not thankful for having poured water in my lap attempting to get water for him to drink thinking he was thirsty before the accident.  We stopped as soon as possible to clean up - and yes it looked like I was the one that had the accident.

Mom and I cooked all morning on Wednesday - we each made a 3-layer cake...both tasted great - one isn't as tall as the other and it seems neither of us can ice the bottom of a cake - she is going to kill me for posting this...I gave thanks for my dad's mother's baking abilities.

We flat out love how much Tucker loves his grandparents.  He goes nuts when he sees any of them and could careless about us once he is with them. Tucker and Mac are attached at the hip...or leg...he is actually attached to all of his grandparents like this - I just only got pictures with Mac. 

We enjoyed this beauty on Wednesday night...dinner outside by the fire was perfect.

We stuffed our faces twice on Thanksgiving.  Once with my granddad's extended family then again with Andrew's family.  It is wonderful to be able to spend Thanksgiving with both families.  We are so grateful to be able to share with both families.  We were also able to spend lots of time with Gary and Lindley - which let's be honest, they are essentially family.   Brandy took a ton of pictures at Thanksgiving and once I get a few from her, I will share the Ouzts family Thanksgiving.  I think MB took some in Bostwick.

Then this is the return trip home...we have Tico for the week.  All were concerned about Tucker and Tico in the car together, but they were super wonderful...sitting this close even...

Just a cool picture I got while we were driving beside the Atlanta airport...it is the highlight of my trip usually - I love planes...



And I will leave you with this beauty - Tucker slept like this for a solid 30 minutes - we decided this would be like us stretching to reach our toes and then sleeping like that...

 Back view -

Front View - all four paws together...

Prayer Request for Dalton

First and foremost, Andrew and I would like to share a prayer request with everyone.  Some of our dearest friends, Jonathan and Kara, are expecting their first child, Dalton, in February.  Dalton has been diagnosed with severe partial Trisomy 13.  Rather than attempting to explain, I direct you to their blog.  Here is the link to their blog (http://devotionstodalton.blogspot.com/).  There are so many unknowns at this time that prayer is the best answer.  Jonathan, Kara, and Dalton - we send our love and prayers daily from Mississippi.

We're Home!

We are back from a wonderful visit to Georgia for Thanksgiving.  I have pictures and stories for later - but for now - I am working on Christmas decorations and making sure Tucker and Tico continue to ignore each other.

We hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving and was able to spend time with family and/or friends!

Bop's!!

We are addicted to sweets, even through all of our diet efforts - we can't kick it.  As many of you know, we are both calorie counters - ask Andrew - he lost 35 pounds counting calories (and walking the golf course, but really just counting).  We have learned the art of saving calories during the day so we can have a treat at night.  A piece of bread or french fries vs fruit can be exchanged for a cookie - which would you rather have????

Anyway - there is a Mississippi custard spot that we love...love...love!  BOP'S!  Call me crazy but their custard (super thick ice cream) is the best I have ever had.  Andrew's favorite is the "Mocha-Chocha-YaYa" and mine is the "Fudge Brownie Sundae."  However, I didn't feel like the super warm, moist brownie topped with amazing vanilla custard, roasted pecans and hot fudge last night - so I got a concrete instead - an M&M concrete.  You know how back in the day at DQ they would turn the blizzard upside down to show you how thick it is - well I am fairly certain that you could leave a Bop's treat upside down and it wouldn't come out for days...it is that thick and creamy and dreamy...

Sooo next time you are in town - we will take you to get a real treat - BOP'S!!