Losing part of the family

Have to say good-bye

Yesterday, my sister sent me message saying that tomorrow was going to be a sad day - Ruffles was going to have to go down the road. See Ruffles is my sister absolutely favorite cow, her best friend. Even though my dad and I have cursed her many times for running through gates, blocking the alley, really just being a spoiled pain, we love her.

However, as much as agriculture is my family's passion, it is also a business. Ruffles has been open (not in calf) for two years in a row now, and feeding open cows doesn't pay the bills so Stacy decided to send her to market.

My mom wrote a really good post about Ruffles and what she has meant to our farm and Stacy. Yeah, I cried when I read it.

Two summers ago I snapped this picture of Stacy and Ruffles. It is one of my favorites. 

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Crystal goes to New York City

Watch out here I come. 

So remember last year when my sister, and our two other partners in crime went to Vegas last year? (If you miss it click just search Vegas on my blog.) Well, we planned another trip this year to New York City. That's right, way exciting. However, there was one little hiccup, I couldn't go in May and told my sister to look at her calendar and find another day. Super. Then my sister calls back the next week and says, "Um yeah, we are going without you." Thanks sister.

Luckily, they felt I needed to be included and this is what that looked liked.

That would be me (the Barbie Doll) hanging out in Central Park.

I love New York Cab drivers. 

Can't forget about work. Promoting Certified Angus Beef.

Supposedly, I loved the New York pizza. 

So that was my trip. If you want a few more details you can jump over to my sister's blog and check things out. 

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What Barbie taught me about being a farm girl

It was destiny.

Growing up my sister and I loved Barbie. We had tons of dolls, the house, a couple cars, a Barbie horse, the clothes, a popcorn machine, a swimming pool, etc. And yes our Barbie's had bank accounts, money was usually exchanged in the form of Light Bright pegs (LiteBrites were used for many things, keep reading). Our Barbie's also were very involved in agriculture. The occupation of vet was quite often played.

That was the great thing about Barbie she could be whoever we wanted her to be. So while our friends were playing Rockstar Barbie, ours were discussing treatment options or reproduction strategies for our cattle. Which leads me to my next story.

My parents didn't hid much from my sister and I as we were growing up. We knew the circle of life was apart of the farm. We also were pretty familiar with how it began. I remember we used to have this slide that looked  kind of like a chute. And we had these stuffed animal dogs and horses that their bellies would velcro open and shut, revealing bean bag babies inside. It was always a surprise how many you would get the first time.

And this brings me back to the LiteBrites. Yup, those were the straws of semen for A.I. (artificial insemination). See where I am going - chute, stuffed animals that reproduce, semen. Yeah, that's right at the ages of six and eight my sister and I were A.I.ing our stuff animals, just like we had seen dad do it.

Guess we were destined to be farm girls.

On my trip to Minneapolis we got to go to the Mall of America. Inside they had a Barbie store! Every girls dream.

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A Show Jock at Heart

It gets in your blood. 

I live in town now, I have girlie hands that get ripped apart when I do gret onto a farm, and this is the worst part - if I had to blow dry more than four head of cattle my arm would probably be sore. I can hear my sister now - wimp.

However, that doesn't mean I don't miss showing and working with my cattle like crazy. Agribition, in November, is my once a year try and remember how to clip and fit session. And surprisingly I can still clip a top pretty good. The point of this blog is that it's Kansas Beef Expo this weekend, among many other jackpot shows and beef expos, and I won't be attending. 1. Because I don't even know hardly any of the young kids anymore (that makes me feel old), and it's no fun when you don't have a tack box to go sit on, and 2. I have Eby's bull sale and a wedding this weekend.

I did find these cute by T-shirts by Livestock Show Girls, and I wanted to share them with you, just incase you are hitting the show road this weekend.

p.s. I know I am getting more and more non-agriculture or non cattle people following my blog. If something doesn't make sense or you have a  question please email me or post your question. I love hearing from you. crystal.cattle@gmail.com

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Found Treasures

It's not how much you spend it's how much you save!

The above theory is one that I used to share with my dad quite often. Now what has been over a month ago cgood and I hit Kansas City to do a little shopping. Both of us had new houses to move into, and I needed to get ready for my month long trip to Canada and Junior Nationals. And let me say that we did pretty darn good that day.

First stop was Nebraska Furniture Mart. Sorry Canadian friends I don't think we went to one store you'll find on the north side of the border. Guess you'll just have to come visit me! Cgood picked out some great finds for her living room, and at a great price.

This couch is just like the one I have in my house, but I have a sectional. The most comfortable couch in the world - especially for naps!

Cgood choose the top one for a coffee table. Both sides open for extra storage. She found end tables and a TV stand to match. Can't wait to visit to see it all together.

Next we ventured to my favorite western store ever - Nigro's in Shawnee Mission, KS. I probably shouldn't reveal how much I spent there the first time Em took me there. The Nigro's are great people and are always willing to cut you a deal. I can buy Justin, wood sole, ostrich skin boots there for $280. Pretty good I would say. Also, you won't find a better selected of jeans. I could go on and on. Cgood says next time we are there we need to count how many time they say, "Don't worry we'll take care of you girls!"

These are going to be my next purchase. I just love these boots. I don't think you could find a prettier pair. (I already have on pair in black with red tops!)

Finally, we decided to make a stop a place that our friend Graber had told us lots about. If you are ever through Gardner, KS, you have to make a stop at Rustic Connection. I think I could have bought the whole store. Plus, they were celebrating their fifth anniversary so everything was 20% off - can't beat that. Lots of western and cabin style home stuff. Going to have to make a trip back there soon. 

I love these stars, but was able to resist!

Definitely, going to have one of these in my house one day!

I love stars, and did come home with one of these in teal. My sister bought me a brown one a few years ago for my birthday. It is one of favorite home decor pieces. These stars are great because they come apart - which is great considering how much I move!

Happy shopping to all of you. Feel free to start scheduling a trip to come see me so I can go back to all my new finds!

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Saying Thanks!

It's time to give some gratitude!

As part of my 101 in 1001 I promised I would give gratitude once a month on my blog, and the month is very close to being over. Which, I am afraid means Summer is going to go by way too fast.

This month has been a great one. I am really thankful that I got to take a trip with my sister. We had a blast and it was nice to spend some real vacation time together. Not us each running around trying to get work stuff done, cattle to the showring, visiting with other friends, just time to relax and talk to each other - oh and Brett and Quinn - they were great vacation mates too!

It was also great to take the vacation before my crazy work season got started. Although, I spend a lot of time during the summer living out of a suitcase, I am very grateful that I get to travel all over the U.S. Through my work I get to help people market their cattle and agriculture products. I love listening to their stories and advice, and it gives me joy that what I am doing for them can help them stay in business and on the land longer.

Here's a shout out to my friends. There has been a couple of you this month that I have had surprise meetings with. I am glad that you took the time so we could give each other a hug and catch up for a little bit before our lives take us in different directions again. Also, I love the little texts, calls and comments on my blog. They really keep me going somedays and I appreciate your support. Keep the coming, they make a difference.

And finally... I have a real live blog follower! Now not to discredit any of my friends that are faithful readers, but today I discovered a complete stranger is subscribing and reading my blog! Her name is Jen, and she has two blogs of her own that I am just starting to check out. So thanks Jen. And thanks to the rest of you. I am always surprised when someone makes a comment about my blog on here, in person or on facebook. Sometime I wonder if anyone is reading all my ramblings!

Now go give gratitude to someone that has made a different in your day, week or month!

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Gone Shopping...

Spring is in the air...

With all of this gorgeous spring/summer weather we have been getting later, I have been itching to add a few new things to my wardrobe. This is the first weekend that I have been home in months so I decided this would be my chance to get some stuff scratched off my list of things needing to be done. So after a productful morning I headed to Kansas City. I was real good keeping to my list of only thing I needed - a few things at MAC, a couple new tops, hit the Beauty Brands $6.95 hairspray sale, look for dresses for Vegas and try and find a pair of shoes that could go with my navy dress that I will be wearing to Meredith's wedding coming up. I have a pair of shoes that could go with the dress, but after a late night of fun and dancing last summer they are looking a little beat up.

I had difficulties with the fun/going out dress part, and I just couldn't find shoes that would go with the dress. I did find a pair of sandals (pictured below) that I really like, but couldn't justify spending the $70. I'll have to wait until they go on sale. That's how I got the gold pair - I spotted them about this time last year priced around $60, and then bought them in August for $18! I bought a black pair to and now its like having brand new sandals. I also found this pair of black patent leather shoes on sale. I haven't been big on patent leather, but this pair caught my eye. I looked and looked at them but decided it just wasn't worth it. Well, I thought about those shoes all day, and was still thinking about them this morning! So after church I made the drive back to KC. I figured if I got there, and they were still there it was meant to be. I am now a proud owner of another pair of Gianni Bini shoes. I love this brand, and have many pairs! I am even thinking about switching my outfit to something black so I can wear the shoes at Meredith's wedding!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, let me know what your highlight was. Oh and my sister is in Thailand right now for work (lucky her) so you'll have to check out her blog.

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Send someone flowers

I love getting flowers, but I almost like sending them just as much - which is good for my friends and family. I remember when I was in junior high and high school we had a really good flower shop in our little town. I would often stop there on my way home from school and pick up a few flowers (usually Gerber daisies - one of my favorites). Mom would get home from school and would ask Stacy (my sister) and I who bought one of us flowers. I would I say, "I did for myself!"

Lately, I have been on a Tulip kick. You can buy them super cheap at Wal-Mart, the last long and are so bright! Last month, for my birthday mom and dad sent me bright pink Tulips with pussy willows in them. I think I was more excited about the pussy willows, because I haven't seen those in forever. We used to have lots around our house back home. My roommates didn't even know what they were! I should have taken a picture because the arrangement was awesome. 

Yesterday, one of my close friends found out her dog, Molly, had got run over. So I decided to brighten her day and sent flowers - Tulips of course! The note she sent me when she got them made me smile as much as getting flowers would have. One set of flowers two smiles, pretty good deal. I think I'll start sending flowers more often again... who are you going to send flowers to?

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