I just love these quizzes.

What is your favorite color of gummy bear? Red. Actually I will just about eat any type of gummy bear.
Have you ever made up/sang a song for someone you cared about? I sing “Potty Like a Rock Star” when I take my dog, Katie, outside – does that count?
Ever had a song sang about/for you? Oh….I am so not going to go there.
Do you know how to dance? Like nobody is watchin”!!
Where do you sing the most, in the car, the shower or other? Whenever and wherever the tune hits me. Like right now - Poker Face by Lady Gaga is going through my mind. P-p-p-poker face.
What is your favorite thing that is green? The popular thing to say is money – which I love. But I also love my landscaping right now too. When it is green – it’s alive – and I love that I haven’t killed it yet.....yes I said yet.
What is the way to your heart? Food most definitely – or jewelry from Tiffany’s. I am shallow like that. Hee hee.
What do you smell like? Right now – like Mango Sorbetto lip gloss. I just put some on.
What's in your pocket? Nothing but lint.
Ever hurt yourself playing Wii? I hate to admit this but yes! I have hurt my arm on baseball and my leg hurts after about 10 songs on the Rock Band drums.
How many languages can you say "Hello" in? I think just three – Hello and Hola and "valley girl" hhhheeeellllo???(stupid)
What's the last movie you saw in the theater? Twilight – gotta love a pale vampire
Ever jumped/fallen/been pushed in a pool with your clothes on? Maybe not a pool but the lake for sure. I have had bruises to prove it.
Can you do the alphabet in sign language? Almost...I can at least yell profanities in sign language.
What word do you use when people pass gas? Oooohhhhgross…didyoujustdothat?Blagh! Long word I know.
What was your favorite childhood show? Fraggle Rock - Red was my favorite.
What was your first job? My first real job was Sno Biz – boy could I really create a snow cone.
Do you sleep well at night? With or without my hubby next to me? With or without the snoring? With or without the dog barking? Okay fine....with earplugs I sleep like a baby.

I post - like never!

My inability to make blog postings lately are blamed on my crazy work schedule - but we won't go in to that. Blaine pointed out recently that I hadn't posted since May 1 - he still reads this thing? really? I was sure he had abandoned it.

So here is what is new with the Preston's....

** Tomorrow morning I am headed to the lake for much needed fun, relaxation and sunshine. I need all equally - so it should be a great weekend. My last trip to the lake was for my birthday - and it was fabulous. We all gathered on the water for some coving out, sunshine and chatter. We then all headed out to a restaurant called Paradise....okay food, but awesome desert! (Photos: the girl photo includes L-R Marcia, Kristina, Cari, Wendy, Me and Lora. The guy photo includes L-R Blaine, Mitch, Shandon, Joe, Jason, Jason and Jeff - what a great bunch of peeps!!)

** In less than a week, Blaine and I are joining the Moore clan in Gulf Shores for our much needed, severely anticipated, family traditional summer vacation. Bring on the sand, the salt and rim (of my margarita glass!!)

** I have joined the world of Facebook! My pal, Steve, from California talked me in to it. I am amazed at the people that have found me and I have enjoyed reconnecting with a few unfamiliar faces. Look me up - if you haven't already.

** Blaine finally bought a used lawnmower. Blaine is outside now trying to repair that used lawnmower and probably cussing his wife for talking him in to buying used.

Until next time - rock on my friends! Oh - I got Rock Band for my b-day....you are never too old to get toys from your mom and dad. I love it so much - I can't get away from it unless I just put it away in the closet.....what does that say about me? I am not sure I want to know!

Seriously...does it get any better than this?

Monday I walked into my office to be greeted by this nice, attractive picture.

Yep - that's a large photo of a monkey. Yep - it is hanging on my wall. Yep - I knew the culprit.

You see..in agricutlure you just sometimes work with the darndest things - but monkies aren't one of them that we deal with.

We do regulate dog kennels and ironically you just sometimes come across a puppy mill that happens to have a few monkies. Some have adopted the motto - "We don't monkies!" I even took it a step further and posted this motto in a couple of offices in my buidling.

And this, my friends, is how I was repaid for my motto posting. Sometimes it is things like this that help you through the day. I laughed hysterically and Mr. Monkey even accompanied me to my first meeting of the morning. He sat propped up in the chair beside me for all of my co-peeps to see. Rock on, Mr. Monkey, Rock on.

Eat More Pork!

If I hear the term "swine flu" again - I think I am going to throw up! Lately, that is all I have been hearing. I even took a call today that said something like this:

"I know you'ns been sayin' I can eat porkchops and stuff. But what if a hog breathes on me? I mean, there's them there trucks drivin' down the highways full of them there pigs. If one of those pigs breathes on me, will I get sick? Shouldn't we be just a shuttin' down the border to my county so I don't get sick?"

After I reassured Mr. Bill (made up name to protect the innocent) that he was not going to catch the notorious H1N1 virus from pigs, he asked me who appointed me State Veterinarian. When I told him that I was not the State Veterinarian, I became as dumb as a box of rocks. Honestly, it kind of made me giggle - maybe it should have made me mad - but it didn't.

After our trusty State Vet gave Mr. Bill a call and repeated my same statements, "pork is safe to eat. No pig in the entire world has tested positive for this strain of flu. You will not get this virus from a pig passing through town" he was quite content. I guess it takes the State Vet to make a strong argument and convince some people.

Dear State Vet - can you call my husband and convince him I need a new Cadillac CTS? Just asking......

Miss USA - one hot mess!

I did see Miss USA on NBC on Sunday night - via DVR - and I do also have an opinion (Shocker!) on what Miss California reluctantly mumbled from her mouth during her Top 5 question. If you are a non-pageant loving hermit, you missed the whole thing and I am not even going there to try to explain - you should just keep scrolling.

But if you saw the pageant, read the headlines or saw the latest on every morning show in America, you know by now that a contestant, Miss California, answered a very controversial question regarding gay marriage. Carrie Prejean answered her question stating that "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite. And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised.”

I agree with Miss California (and President Obama for that matter) that marriage should be between a man and a woman - BUT what Miss Cali failed to do was answer her question in an eloquent way. Fear got the best of her and she clearly was not prepared to stand up to the D-lister, Perez Hilton. Perez's question clearly was self-gratifying and a way to get his name out there more - as if we haven't heard it enough already......anyone that mimics their name after Paris Hilton needs help anyway - in my opinion.

The ONLY thing I agree with Perez on is - she was MISS CALIFORNIA - from the state that legalized and now dethroned legalization of gay marriage (hello...proposition 8). Miss California should have had a canned answer for this. Besides, the whole pageant industry is full of gay men – I have met and become friends with many over the years.

Before I jump off of the soapbox - let me just say - GIVE IT A REST!! This girl did not say, “I hate gays!” and did not line up all of the gays across America and put bullet holes in them. She clearly stated her opinion at a beauty pageant about the union between gays - for crying out loud. Quit listening to drama queens such as Perez Hilton who are trying to make a buck (or lots of bucks) on someone else's misfortune.

Although Miss Cali didn't give the best answer in pageant history - it clearly wasn't the worst either. She is a beautiful girl that stood on a stage in a gown way too tight sucking in every inch of gut she may have (believe me I know), trying to overcome the increasing anxiety that has been building over the past 14 days while she was there and gave a 20 second answer to a VERY controversial question.

Good for her for standing up for what she believes in. Now Miss Cali - keep your mouth shut, let it rest, quit granting interviews and it will be gone tomorrow. Stay under a rock for a week - and you will be WAY better off. To Perez - just shut up.....you have stated your opinion, we get it, we don't want to hear you cry anymore!

** On a side note - I was a pageant contestant once. And I managed to tell a judge that I had no respect for defense attorneys - and they were clearly out for money when they could defend murderers, child molesters and people that shouldn't be walking on this earth. That judge just so happened to be a defense attorney....but he loved me. He actually respected the fact that I stood up for what I believed in - in a way that was eloquent, professional and I fully explained myself and my belief.

April 15

What does April 15 mean to you? Most shudder at the thought, tears stream down their face, their fate is sealed for yet another year. And that is what Dad feels today - Dan the Man is turning another year older.



Put the binoculars down, Dad! There is no need to search for your youth..... Lucille Ball once said, "“The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.”

That's what I intend on doing - brilliant idea! (And if anyone asks, I am only 28.)

Happy, Happy Birthday,
Dan the Man!

Landscaping

Here is what is consuming me & Blaine's lives lately - landscaping. It is still very much a work in progress, but we will eventually be done!!



The first photo is our main flower garden. I swear we had this tree placed about 45 different places in the yard before it found its permanent home right in front of the laundry room window. Decisions should be this hard. As you can see - some of the other plants are not in the ground - and aren't strategically placed yet. They too are roamers.
These are two of three of our Cleveland Pears between us and the neighbors. Yep - they have a pool. No we do not. I am not sure why I felt compelled to put a tree boundary between us - it kind of sends a message of "stay away." But I am certain that is the message that they should be sending me - since I love pools especially other people's pools that I don't have to clean.

Blainer worked very hard on building all of the retainer walls in our yard.

Blaine said I should take a picture of my teeny tiny blisters on my hands - since that has never happened before - and may never again. Blaine also says, "you are just like a blister - you show up when the work is done!" (That actually comes from Mr. Sherrow, our pal from the lake.) For the record, I showed up every single day - okay...maybe I didn't lift a finger too many times except to say "Put that there bush over there" (pointing). But I was there, by golly!!

Nursery Shopping

This was the first Easter that Blaine and I did not spend with family - ever. It was odd - I thought I was going to be fine with it, especially since we have been so swamped. But the more I started thinking about it on Saturday night - the more it bothered me. I knew I had plenty to do on Saturday and Sunday to keep my mind off of it - we had some nurery shopping to do.

To make me feel better, Blaine promised me a special meal on Sunday - smoked everything. We had chicken, beef, sausage links - and now we have full meals every night this week....more beef, more chicken, tri-tip and pork.

(See Blainer cutting some ribs for dinner....mmmmm.)

Saturday Blaine and I went nursery shopping.....not THAT kind of nursery shopping. We were shopping for trees, bushes, flowers and other landscaping necessities. (And you thought for a minute I was pregnant? - Just a late April Fool's on you!)

Sunday, we hit Lowe's for the second time in two days for more landscaping needs. Our yard still needs lots of work but is beginning to look fabulous! Love it! We now have 5 trees planted in the front yard, several rose bushes, boxwoods, other bushes and an entire selection of tall grasses and flowers just waiting to enter the ground. Top that off with about 5 more trees - and we will be officially landscaped! Yay!

I will have to tell you - I am sore today. I donned my winter garb and pink rainboots yesterday and fought the elements of chilly weather and drizzle. But our hard work is paying off - and that is all that matters. I will post pictures later.

47 days & counting...

It is only 47 days until Blaine and I meet my family in Gulf Shores. I don't know about the rest of them - but this vacation is more needed for me than ever before. I have a tendency to drag my laptop & blackberry along on vacation and try to get some work done - just so my office isn't a disaster when I return. But I think this time, I am going to wipe out all OCD in me and take a break. For the sanity of myself and the safety of my co-workers, I am positive between now and the end of the 47 days, I will need that break. (Okay - we all know that my obsessive scheduling will still come in to play on vacation - and I hope by now the family realizes that I really do try to relax......but I just need a plan, man!)

Other than work, life has been all about the house. Blaine and I have been working tirelessly (okay...fine....Blaine has been working; I have been bossing) on the yard. We now have a retaining wall for a flower bed, what I call an island flower bed with small retaining wall and two out of three small retainers where I am putting Cleveland Pears between me and the neighbors. Things are looking fabulous.....thanks to Blainer. (Just don't tell him I am praising him too much!) I will post photos when we are done - in about a month.

We are also beginning the planning process of designing our bar for the basement. I have lots of ideas - so we will see who wins this one: me - the spend thrifty one OR Blaine - the stingy one. Either way - I will just be happy to get it complete!

So here's to beaches, flowers and bars - all things I need very much right now! Cheers!

Moderation? What's that?

I admit - sometimes I don't take moderation in moderation and I go all out. But that isn't all bad....is it? Sure - I went a little overboard on some things with the house some think. Sure - I have lots of shoes (& Blaine claims WAY too many.) Sure - I could sit down and eat an entire "Everything Pizza" from Imo's. But moderation is just for the birds - in some cases.

Another thing that is for the birds are the trees Blaine and I recently purchased. We certainly weren't thinking moderation when we made a trip to a landscaping auction over the weekend just west of Columbia. We knew we were going to get a good deal and were willing to stick it out - through the rain, downpours, sleet, snow, hail, thunder and lightening......did I mention downpour? Seriously folks - the only thing missing during this 3 hour fiasco were two things: 1. the sun & 2. a tornado.

Blaine and I arrived, game plan in hand. We had our rain gear (I love my pink rain boots), the checkbook and a thermos of coffee. What more could we ask for? As the rain kept pelting, I escaped to the truck. Blaine proceeded to bid - and bid - and bid.

The Preston's are now proud owners of 15 trees (large and small, some ornamental, some monumental). In addition, I also have some great looking plants (some I know exactly what they are.....others I have no idea.)

We have Cleveland Pears, Flaming Crab Apples, Candy Mint Sergant Blah Blah Blahs, some cool looking trees shedding bark, a couple of Spring Crab Apples, Japanese Maples - you name it...we at least bid on it. We knew that with the weather conditions, we were getting an incredible deal. Who else other than Blaine and I would weather a storm to buy trees......only about 30 other people - who I would have called absolutely stupid if I hadn't been there.

But all and all - we made out like bandits! Now this spring and summer when the birds are flocking to my beautiful trees, I have only the rain to thank. Oh...and the two gentlemen that helped us immensely.....Thanks Jason for loaning us the trailor! And thanks Todd for using your muscles to help Blaine unload these trees. You two helped out more than you'll ever know. I will call you both to help me clean the bird poop this summer!!

Here are a couple of photos of our trees......

Here are Blaine & Todd unloading some trees from the trusty Watts Construction trailor.

Here is Ike looking on - making sure everything goes smoothly. He was also instrumental in chasing the black Ford around making sure it parked the trailor in the right spot.

How much does a tree weigh anyway? Not a good question to ask - but won't this be a beautiful Cleveland Pear in my yard?

M-I-Z

Z-O-U! Although admittedly I slept through most of the Mizzou game and also switched between the game and reruns of Sex in the City, I did have dreams similar to this video last night.

I didn't go to Mizzou - I am a Drury University grad - but since I have been living in mid-MO, you either grow to love the tigers and wear stripes or get out. I have succumbed to the pressure and LOVE a good ball game. I have learned the songs, the chants, have a Mizzou wardrobe.....for the love of the game and now the love of the Tigers! Grrrrr........

Go Mizzou - beat UConn!!!!

Isn't it Ironic...don't ya think?

WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?Nope....I was an accident and I am surprised I have a name....
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Not today - so that's always good news!!
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I sure do. One time in college, my printer quit working at like 2 a.m. My health class major paper was due the next morning at 8 a.m. So instead of going out to party my blues away, I sat and hand jotted my entire term paper to perfection. My instructor was so impressed she gave me an "A" and kept it as evidence. Word has it she shows it to her classes to this day and says, "if you can print like this, I will let you handwrite your papers. If not - type them!"
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Smoked Turkey (with a little avocado spread....yummy!)
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? I have dogs - Katie and Ike.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I am not sure....I forget birthdays, I forget to call or text, I fall down often due to clumsiness and I am opinionated....I hate those type of people!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? No....not me! :-)
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Not a one of them since I was 4 years old.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Oh hell no!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? ooohhh....Frosted Flakes. OR what about some honey nut shredded wheat with orange juice.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Why would I? Then I would just have to retie them later - work smarter not harder, my friends!
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? I have to be one of the only women that I know that can pass on ice cream - not a big fan Isn't it Ironic? About as ironic as alanis morissette. 14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Do they have any teeth? I do live in Missouri and I do work in rural parts, folks. Teeth are a huge indicator....and shoes too. Crappy shoes = you don't like to take care of yourself. There is such a thing as shoe polish!
15. RED OR PINK? Pink!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? That my closet isn't bigger.....Oh wait....you asked about myself. Well....hmmmm let's see..... my ugly toenails. Now don't go looking at them because then I will have another least favorite thing - my complex.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? MawMaw.......enough said.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST? Certainly...it is kind of fun.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? I am a skirt kind of girl - black and ivory skirt and some fabulous heels.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? A dog barking out the window.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Take all of the crayons and mix them together....go ahead....draw all over that sheet of paper. What color do you have? Turd-muckeldy-dum....that's me. The color of my eyes.
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Fresh, clean laundry
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Blainer
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?I got this from my pal, Steve Lyle in California. Great guy!
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Go Kansas City Chiefs....bring it home to momma!
27. HAIR COLOR? brown and blonde
28. EYE COLOR? Turd-muckeldy-dum - see #22
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No...but I probably should. Maybe I can get some of those cat eye contacts for Halloween.
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Nakato's in Springfield!
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings - hey that was a band in Springfield, I think.
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? I can't remember.....was it Forgetting Sarah Marshall?
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Black.
34. Summer or winter? SUMMER.......on the boat with friends!
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Both - I am a woman you know.
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? No one - this is a blog.
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? You....yes, you....all of you!
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Are you kidding - when would I find time to read?
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?Sunflowers.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? I caught up on Grey's Anatomy and Brothers & Sisters.....gosh I love my DVR.
42. FAVORITE SOUND(S)? A boat engine!!
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Who are they? Just kidding (Cari!) Rolling Stones.
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Not far enough!!
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can say all 50 states in alphabetical order in less than 30 seconds.
46 WHERE WERE U BORN? Oklahoma - where the wind goes sweeping down the plains.....

Schick Quattro TrimStyle For Women

Interesting advertisement for Schick!

I was doing a little research on advertisements....and came across this commercial. It took me a while to "get it" (because the bleach from highlighting my hair has gotten to my brain) ,but I finally caught on. I thought it was interesting enough to share - little hidden messages everywhere!!

It Ain't Easy Being Green!

Kermit the Frog was right when he said, "It ain't easy being green!" On St. Patrick's Day, it just ain't easy....to find something green to wear. I dug & dug through my closet for something appropriate to wear to work (it is jean week this week), but I just couldn't find the perfect "professional" shirt. So I had to turn to accessories......and here is what I got....a kermit green scarf thingy (that I have also worn as a belt - any good fashionista knows how to multi-task with accessories.) At least no one can pinch me today!



Today for someone else, it ain't easy either. But for very different reasons. Ron Ron (my big brother) is also adjusting to the fact that he is OVER THE HILL today. It ain't easy turning 40 folks....not that I would know, but I have heard. Surely turning 40 has some perks.....
-- Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.
-- People call at 9 PM and ask, "Did I wake you?" (Okay even at 31 - people have to ask me this!)
-- You have a party and the neighbors don't even realize it.
-- There is nothing left to learn the hard way.
-- Most of all, you will always have a younger sister willing to poke fun of you - and she can take the heat when her birthday rolls around.

Happy 40th Birthday, Ronnie!
If I were there, I would give a brotha a hug, pinch ya and punch ya in the arm (for old time's sake!!)

Now isn't that sweet.

I got a message from a co-worker (Yo Jen!) yesterday that something was at the reception desk at work. Actually - she couldn't keep the secret and whispered, "it's flowers." Me? I got flowers - I must be special.

Blaine had sent me flowers since my weeks have been so crazy. Awwwwww...... Yes, Blaine is in Vegas and no, he hasn't done anything wrong - believe me I asked.

This was such a surprise and makes me even more ready for Spring - just a few short days away. It also makes me think of Blainer every time I glance at the end of my desk. Good strategy honey - keep the wife happy and thinking good thoughts about you right before your birthday! This might just work out well for you - I am tempted to buy you another gift!

This one is going to be a long one...

Sheesh - once again, I have been MIA (missing in action.) And action packed my life has been lately. Work keeps me knee deep in lots of B.S. But I thought I would bring you up to speed on the latest happenings and thoughts from my world.

• A shout out to Blainer - he is soaking up the rays this week in Las Vegas. I am completely jealous! I need a vacation - although he is working, I would much rather be working Vegas than Jeff Schitty. This week (Friday) is also Blainer's birthday. Happy Birthday!! (This photo is a clear reflection on how much fun Blainer is probably having this week.)



• Last weekend we headed to the lake for a boat auction. Although I tried my darndest to steal our auction number from Blaine to bid on a boat - I was unsuccessful. After we got tired of the auction, the gang (me & Blaine, Lora & Jason, Mitch, Cari & Jason and the kids) headed to Shorty Pants for lunch. Oh how I had been missing the smoked wings and a mojito. Later, part of the gang headed to my house and then off to Hartsburg - a little ole town in the middle of nowhere. Ironically, I knew too many people at this hole in the wall type place with cover band. Good times by all.
• I miss the lake (see the photo)....this is what i want to be doing right now - sitting on the boat with friends.

But it is raining - so I guess I will have to wait for some sunny, warm days. I also have to wait for a tanning bed to turn me brown again - I am so pasty white I scare small children - they think Casper has entered the room. Boo!

• Did you know that Jennifer Aniston has been spending $2000 a day on getting her hair done (visit http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedishrag/2009/03/aniston-hair-co.html.) You have got to be kidding me? I have longed for her hair since the "Jennifer" on Friends. But holy moly - I try to croak when I have to pay $120 for a flat iron when my breaks - or when I have to pay for my highlight and haircut. I can't imagine forking out this kind of money - someone buy this chick a can of Beyond Shine, a flat iron and a comb and tell her do her own hair and feed a small country with what she is spending on her strands.


• Here is another soapbox moment from me: Dear Octomom - you need an octoslap upside your octohead!!


• Speaking of out of your mind - Shania has joined the Republic Tigers track team and has been running lots - to the tune of 2 miles-ish a day. That is crazy! I couldn't run around the block even if smoked chicken wings and a mojito was just around the corner. I would certainly think about it - but probably wouldn't make it. Go Nia.


• Have I told you we booked our vacation condo in Gulf Shores? It became quite the saga for a little while - we lost our initial condo and were frantically trying to find another one. Either way - we are set for June....and I am counting the days.

I guess that is it for my thoughts - I will leave you with this farm funny. This is how I have felt at work lately........

It has all gone to the dogs & grain

Busy doesn't even begin to describe how crazy I have been lately. Work (which I rarely speak of here) has kept me knee deep in dog doodoo for a while....literally. Part of my state government agency's work is finding those puppy mills in our state that are abusing and neglecting animals. Pitiful, I know. Another part? I talk about everything to do with agriculture.

Here are a couple of stories for you to read what I have been up to:

• 200 dogs seized at kennel
• Farmers Seeking Millions in Damages
• Woman charged with animal abuse after breeder raid

Three different stories about three separate instances all in one week's time - all including quotes from me. Sheesh - I do not know if I am coming or going, talking about dogs, grain or more dogs and definitely not getting sleep. But I guess it goes to show I love my job - or I would have bailed off this train a while ago.

I Hear Birds Chirping

Yesterday I walked out on my front porch to hear birds chirping. Now let me back up - 1) I walk outside on my front porch every morning to let Katie (my Yorkie) out. 2) I had heard incredible rumors about a month ago that there were birds chirping. But I hadn't heard it for myself.

I know what you are thinking: birds chirping? Who cares?! But I certainly care - and here is why...

SPRING IS ON THE WAY! I could never express through words how much Spring means to me. As tears drip on my keyboard with pure excitement, I know that Spring brings me these things:

• Warm weather is near, my friends. And what does warm weather bring you? A much happier Misti.


• Soon I will donning my extremities with a tan - a nice golden sparkle to my super white pasty legs. Yuck - I seriously perfectly match my white and ivory garments - and that is just despicable.


• The lake is calling my name - and not from the few restaurants that need my business in the winter. But my boat is calling my name.


• Right after Spring is Summer - duh! Summer is the only true time I am happy. Sure...I am a happy person overall, but in the summer - I am elated! I love the time outside, the time at the lake, the long daylight hours....you name it - in the summer, I love it. Okay, I don't love lawn mowing (but I have a great husband that does that) and I don't love bugs.

So there you have it - I think that I should get a pet bird. If I could get a bird to chirp every day and trick my brain into thinking warm days are ahead (everyday all year long), I would have it made. If I had a bird, what would I name it.....hmmmm????

It is one of those days!

Mondays - who really loves them? Not me. I have been swamped lately but couldn't resist the opportunity to share with ALL of my friends how one of my best buds is spending his time on this Monday. God love ya, Ryan Lanclos!

Green Acres is the Place to Be!

Although I didn't share in the music fun that was about to happen on Julie & Brad's Wedding Day, when the groom kissed his beautiful bride, the theme song to Green Acres began playing throughout the church. You can't find a better fitting song for these two Green's. Julie was a bit shocked - and Brad was too - but it made the small crowd chuckle with excitement for our favortie newlyweds - Brad & Julie Green.

It was truly a great day. I am ecstatic to see Julie so happy - and it showed as she stood there in here wedding attire. Brad looked great as well. It was a great Valentine's Day to remember!

I have shared a couple of photos - more to come later!

Congratulations Julie & Brad - we all wish you the best!!