Scrubs for Calving....

Yesterday I made a comment on FB and it gots some feedback.

So I'll share with the blogger family too.

Before we know it the calves that will be arriving!

Calving can be messy business as with any baby delivery.

Sometimes there is that case where I have to help a momma out.

Pulling calves is a wet, bloody event.

Having the proper work wear can be costly.

There are those times when the clothes your wearing don't survive.

So a few years ago I came up with a solution.

I went to Goodwill and got scrub pants.

They are great! And they don't cost that much.

I wear yoga or dry fit pants with my scrubs most of calving season.

Yes I have water proof wash pants.  And I have used those over the scrubs.

But occasionally the noise from those can freak the cows or a first calver out.

The best part for me is the pockets. 

I can put chains, syringes and gloves in them and they are right there clean.

Not too mention they are comfy and easy to move around in.

I mean sometimes your on your tush bending and moving in ways that bibs don't allow.

Then when I'm done all I have to do is throw them in the washing machine.

Once they are too stained or torn I just throw them away.

Let's face it for $4.00 I will get my monies worth.

So while most people relate scrubs to Dr.s, hospitals and vets I use them here in my OB unit.

I mean I like our babies to be born in a nice clean environment too.

They are not just cattle to us.



My New Journey....

I said I was going to blog more and it's been a few weeks.

It's far from intentional. It's that time of the year where so much is going on.

But with raising babes, cattle, crops and fur kids it's always busy.

I'm sitting here with so many thoughts and ideas of things I want to share with all of you.

The biggest and most exciting thing is something that is changing my as a momma, wife and photographer.

Sounds scary I know.  And it was at first.  But now we embracing this new journey.

Back in April my best guy friend Dave Vansickle at http://vansicklecattlecompany contacted me.

He told me he found the thing for me combining both my love for cattle and photography.

Ya right.  So I listened and thought about it.  It was a posting for livestock photography.

So I took a leap and applied.  I went to Texas for a Ranch House clinic.

I came home to an email.  Welcome the http://livestockpromotions family.

Say what.  I couldn't believe what I was reading.  So started the journey.

After a few web seminars, a few on farm helping in the picture pen and then a trip to Nebraska I was ready.

Working with B.J. Eick and Marlene Eick has been so great.

The man is amazing at what he does.  He's patient, kind and a true talent.

I have learned more about cattle. About lighting and how it effects my pictures.

I have learned how to work with people and how to let them know what I need to get them what they need.

I have learned how to take a photo of cattle with little editing.

How to move cattle in a picture/video pen.  Then to make that video a work of art.

Most of all PATIENCE.  For myself, the cattle and the people helping.

So the biggest thing for me this year has been this challenge do two things I love.

Work with cattle and photography.

For me that is a life goal.  One that I hope to learn from every time I walk onto someones farm.

I'm excited for the opportunity, the experience.  And the peole I'm meeting along the way.

This is my favorite from training.  These are the kind of picture's Im excited about taking!

Hey Everybody....

Hey Everyone!

I know it's been forever and a day since you have seen anything out of me.

I took a break to be with my babies and enjoy some new things that are happening.

Now that things are slowing down for the winter I'll catch you all up and get back to blogger world.

I've missed interacting with all of you, but that is all changing.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving..

I'm excited to start blogging again

Have a great day!

School is coming to an end....

The school year is coming to an end. 

It's hard to be believe that a whole school year has went by already.

This Thursday is the last day.

Then we will have a 5th grader. 

I can't believe I'm saying this, and a 7th grader in junior high.

The Little Mister had a tour of the junior high last week and loved it.

Tonight we get to go and see where he will be going to classes and spending his day.

On Friday he came home and said they had to fill out a paper about what they wanted to do.

He chose Architect, and two other things.

But he said he was upset because farmer/rancher wasn't on there because they don't consider that a career.

WHAT! The Mister and I were both shocked.

So evidently the fact that we farm and raise livestock is not a way to make a living.

Not only that but the fact that the Mister works for Pioneer which is an Agricultural company.

There are so many things wrong with the fact that Farming/Ranching was not on there.

Who is going to grow the foods we all eat everyday.

That are so readily available at the local grocery.

Who is going to be the stewards of our land.

Who is going to raise our livestock.

Who is going to work from sun up to sun down.

Who is going to work their butts of come sun, rain, snow or whatever God has in store.

Not too many people!

So any way.  I can't wait for Thursday.

The babes will be home with me.

We will get to do some things around here.

Plus we may take a day trip here and there.

We also have county fair to get ready for.  So there will be lots of barn time!

Have a great day Everyone!



Our Miss Lily....

Lily is a one of a kind.

She was our Little Misters show heifer 2010-11.

She was shown at state and national levels and won many times.

She is more like a pet than one of our cows.

She's the one who comes to you and still likes to be pet and brushed.

She's a momma for the second time around.

She did a bang up job with this babe, which we are excited about.

Soon she will go to the donor pen to be flushed and I will be nervous till she comes home.

Miss Lily with her Joyride heifer, Texas.
She was born the day I left for the Ranch House Designs clinic.

Lily is a great momma.
She doesn't like Texas to get far.
She was kind a butt about it at first, but now the doesn't mind us getting near Texas.

They play lots.
I was laughing so hard when I was taking these.
Rotten things!

Did I mention she hates her picture taken.
She either is with another calf, runs or wont look at me!
Shes just gonna have to get over that!


Have A Wonderful Day!!!!!

I have a surprise!

At the end of Mach my very good friend Dave Vansickle of Vansickle Cattle Co. tagged me in a attachment on Facebook.  Later he texted me and ask if I saw it.  I said I had and he asked if I was going to do it.  Well here is what the attachment said:

Apply to become one of our Livestock Promotions Network Photographers. We provide training, so all skill levels are encouraged to apply. Deadline is April 20. Check out today's blog post to learn more.

So I read it and later I talked to the Mister.  He said go for it.  And I thought what the heck why not.  I love cattle, I love taking pictures and I love talking to people.  So I filled out the questions on the application.  Then i picked out my pictures that they asked for, for examples. Off the application went.  Then i went to Texas for five days for a Ranch House Designs clinic.  And I highly recommend if you want to learn, have fun and promote your farm/ranch/cattle it is great!  So anyway I forgot about it for a bit.  Then I got home and didn't hear anything..  No biggie I tried that's all I can do.

Well, a little over a week ago I opened my email and I saw one from Livestock Promotions, Inc.  So i opened it and it says "Welcome To The Livestock Promotions Family"!  Say what... so i read it again.  Yep that's what is said.  So in my excitement I called the Mister.  He was in a meeting so I told him to call me pronto.  It was true.  Out of several applicants they picked four and i was one of the four!

I am completely excited about this adventure.  I get to do something i love to do.  Take pictures, take pictures of cattle, meet new people and do a little traveling.  My family and my friends have been so wonderfully supportive.  I cannot believe that all the things that i have been through in the last 2 years has led to something so wonderful.  I will be doing what a love at a job that i know that i will love!

So to those of  you that have a goal or a dream.  Don't give up just keeping working, praying and doing what you love to do.  Because all good things come to those wait and have a great support team!

Happy Mothers Day....

Happy Mothers Day!

We hope that you had a wonderful day with that special lady in your life.