Cute Kid of the Day!

Raena's Wedding Photos!!

Toilet Seat Covers!!

I know my little sister is the talk of this blog, but I thought I would give you a lesson on toilet seat covers from one of Alexys' experiences.

A few weekends ago we went to the Schiltterbahn water park in Kansas City for her birthday. As we were coming to a finish on the wave pool she informed me that she had to go to the bathroom. So, I pulled her out of her tube and we went to the packed bathroom. After waiting in line, she got a stall that didn't latch. I held her door for her while she did her thing. After about 5 minutes I was a little worried when I heard her screech my name through the restroom. So, I peeked the door open and started busting up laughing!! She thought she would protect herself from germs by putting not one, but three, toilet seat covers on the toilet before she sat down. Well, when she sat down with her wet fanny she had all of the seat covers stuck to her backside!! She was so embarrassed as she couldn't do anything about it, but sit there and pick all of the wet tissue off of her!!

So, note to self: remember to dry off from the pool before you use the public restroom at the water park!! I don't want the same embarrassing thing happen to you that happened to us!!

Future Funk ~ America's Got Talent 1st Semi-finals

2010 National Junior Angus LEAD Conference Love

Happy 9th Birthday Alexys

Saturday, August 7 was the 9th birthday of my little sister Alexys. I was gone to our annual leadership conference, LEAD, so I let her know that I would make it up to her this weekend. I'm a huge fan of waterparks (minus the swimming suits) and so is she, so I let her know that I would take her to the new park in Kansas City, Schlitterbahn. I went there for 4th of July with some friends so I knew it would be a good time and she would like it.

We had a great time at the water park. The lines were a little long, but we stayed later until most of the people left to have shorter lines for the best lines.

After the park, she wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese's. This was my first Chuck E. Cheese's visit and I must say it was an eye opener!!! Kids were running everywhere!!! After 110 tokens winning 319, Alexys came home with 6 packets of pop rocks. What a rip off!!

The best part was on the way home when she told me that "today was the best day ever!"

I'm back!!

I would like to apologize for three months of absence. During the months of May, June, July, and August I have no life but Angus, so I was slacking on the blog. I apologize, and I'm getting back with it!!

Greyson Chance Singing Paparazzi

Summer is here!!

When you mention the word summer to many people, the first thing that comes to mind is sun, warm weather, swimming and vacations. If you say the word summer around me you will probably hear me start screaming.

This illustration is a great description of how my summer is. During the months of May-August my job has me completely tied up that I am unable to slow down to enjoy the warm weather and vacations of summer. Don't get me wrong, I love my job.

One example could be today, as many of you are planning your summer vacations or counting down the days until schools is out, I'm in here banging away on this computer trying to get ready for the summer shows and events for the NJAA.

In the last two weeks, my emails and phone calls a day have more than tripled!! Angus juniors are getting out of school and its time for mom and dad to start calling in to ask questions and get explanations.

Please enjoy your summer vacations and cocktails on the beach, as my summer will be spent on the road, at cattle shows and the National Junior Angus Show!!

It's all about how you keep your car!

I'm a firm believer of how you keep your car, is how organized you are. My car is never spotless, but is always picked up. I believe I keep my house and office the same way. It doesn't get dusted everyday, but its clean and organized. I can't stand getting into some one's car and they want me to sit on the papers in the passenger seat. Really?!?!

But off my soap box about how organized you should be....I want to show you these photos. I came out of the allergy Dr. and I saw this jeep parked beside me so I had to take some photos. At first I thought he was moving, but then I realized he was a Mr. Fix it.

I'm not sure where the man is going to sit.


I'm almost positive their is a hammer and a year old sandwich from McDonald's in the bottom of the Jeep that he hasn't seen for over years!!

The bad part about all of this is my dad is the same way. Yikes!

My interview with Trent Loos

Who needs a boyfriend?....I have an 8 year old little sister!!

Due to the numerous unsuccessful relationships I've been in lately, I've found someone that is always there for me. She's only 8, but sure has taught me alot about life and what I need to look for in a serious relationship.

Today, I was having a bad day, and as soon as Alexys and I started off on our adventure to Michael's Craft Store, my attitude totally changed. She has a way of always putting a smile on my face!!

She always looks forward to seeing me, we solve the worlds problems together, and she even tells me the truth in a nice way (like what jeans make my butt look big!). She was also the first one to call and wish me Happy Birthday and to tell me that I should go to McDonalds to get a free breakfast for my birthday.

Alexys has done great things for me when it comes to finding a serious relationship. Just remember that if a guy likes he will make time to come see you, he will be excited to spend time with you, he will discuss life problems with you, and can't wait until the next time he sees you. Shelia said it best when she said, "Alexys adores you." I just need a man to adore me too!!

If your having problems with the opposite sex, I encourage you to 1. get a dog or 2. sign up for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Having a 8 year old little sister has taught me more about myself than I expected!!

The Pizza Bar

Power and Light has a new restaurant/bar called the Pizza Bar. I've always been impressed by the late night restaurants that cater to individuals who are out on the town living it up. This weekend was my 25th birthday so Shelia and I headed to P&L to celebrate.

After a few hours of celebrating we had one stop before the hotel....the Pizza bar. The pizza is pretty good, but the best part is the promptness of the time you get your pizza. They offer cheese or pepperoni pizza at like $3.50 a slice. You can also buy a whole pizza, but we didn't need that much.

It's well worth it....as the pieces are HUGE and they serve your pizza on these wonderful china plates! I thought I would let you know our little secret about the last pit stop you need to take before leaving Power and Light!

Enjoy!!

Apple Blossom Parade

Yesterday was St. Joe's Apple Blossom Parade and it was a huge hit for all of the kids in town and half of Missouri. I have never been to a parade in town (besides the Mardi Gras parade which is for adults) so I didn't quite know what to expect. Let's just say people in St. Joe LOVE parades!!

Alexys has been waiting for this parade for days and on Friday she kept saying "I wish today was tomorrow." Every since I told her we were going to walk in the parade, she has been looking forward to this day. We have also been in the BB/BS progam long enough she could have her first overnight stay at my house so she stayed at my house on Friday night. Let's just say this weekend was something she was looking forward to for days.

The parade was long. I walked the entire route handing out books (great idea junior league) and flyers about the BB/BS organization. Alexys helped hand out books and then was in the back of the gator with a few of the others littles to help through candy. We didn't have enough candy nor books so by the middle of the parade all we had left was flyers (sorry kids!).

There was so many people watching the parade, I was very relieved with Alexys decided to get in the gator....I was afraid I was going to lose her in the crowd!

The parade ended up being a huge success. We both had a great time!!

It's a bird...It's a plane....No! It's the blue angels!!

This weekend has alot of things in store for me and I'm super excited about all of it! Today, Alexys and I will get a private showing of the US Navy Blue Angels air show. The air show fundraisers are supporting the community groups such as Second Harvest, Habitat for Humanity, Camp Quality, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Since, we are apart BB/BS organization they have invited us for a free showing. I also believe they have in store for us an autograph session and meet and greet. I know the littles are going to love it!

Tomorrow is another big day for the BB/BS organization. We are walking in the Apple Blossom Parade. I believe we are going to walk through the parade and pass out information and candy about BB/BS. It should be fun.

And then on Sunday.....It's my 25th Birthday! Ya! No more underage driving fees!!

I'll post pictures from the weekend, and I'm sure I will have tons to talk about on Monday.

Have a great weekend everyone!

If only my suitcase was big enough!

The show in Reno was great! Everything went off with a hitch (besides the 10 hour day of junior show and showmanship) as we didn't have any problems, butt chewings or mistakes. This rarely ever happens!

But, back to the title of this blog post. Everytime I come home from Reno there are a few individuals that I want to put in my suitcase to bring back with me. They are all under the age of 10, but they are going to be the future leaders of the NJAA. They are all great showman (and women), cute smiles and a heart of gold. I love talking to them about their heifers they will be showing or what they like about school.

Here they are:

Jayce Dickerson

Colby Perry

Corrie Falleur
Seth Cox

Madison Cox and Corrie Falleur

'THE' Jessica Simpson

Attitude Reflects Leadership

Reno!!

Bright lights and cows....yeah..I'm living up Reno!

I'm here for the Western Regional Junior Angus Show and Western National Angus Futurity. We have a great show planned with record number head entered for both shows. We also have a junior fun night and Raising the Bar planned.

I return home on Monday evening.

Stay tuned.

FUJI Japanese Steakhouse

My little sister Alexys has never been to the Japanese Steakhouse in town, so I decided that we should go there last night. I really don't know what all she eats yet, as we usually eat Taco Bell all the time, so I had a concern if she would like it. (Yes, she insists that we eat there every week...at least its cheap!) However, last week she ate Chinese so I knew she would like Japanese.

She was excited to go because I told her they cooked the food in front of us, had fire, and threw food at you. She didn't know what to expect. The chef came out to make our food, and she just loved his outfit. He started with tossing his spatula and fork around and she was amazed. He did all the tricks like the volcano with the onions, the egg in the shirt pocket, and even the little water hose to blow out the fire. He also pitched us a few pieces of chicken, but both of us missed and it just hit us in the face. (I'm never good at that.) I never watched the chef as I watched her the whole time because she giggled and had her eyes wide open the entire time.

She also thought the food was amazing, and dang near cleared her plate. If you remember, you don't go to a Japanese place leaving hungry, because they usually load you up with food. I don't know where she stores her food because usually she eats twice as much as I do.

Again, another great night with the little sister in the books. I enjoy spending time with her and its always a great way to get my mind of other things. If you have a few extra hours each week, I encourage you to be a big brother or big sister in your community. It's an incredible organization!

Miracle Speech by a 5 year old

I'm in love....

No, no, no...it's not what your thinking!!

I've found a new love for Dr. Pepper! Yes, I used to hate Dr. Pepper as a kid and couldn't stand it everytime I drank out of my mom's cup and she had Dr. Pepper!! (bluh) Well, I guess how they say your taste buds change every 7 years, well it must be 7 years since I last tried DP as I can't go a day without a can of Dr. Pepper!! (yum)

It does wonderful things for me. (i.e. Get me through the afternoon, keeps me awake on the late night drives home, and gives me an extra boost in my step!!)

I hate that I started drinking pop again, because I quit it cold turkey, but now for $.25 I get a can everyday at work!! I guess its the blend of 23 flavors that gets me!

Text messaging is taking over the world!!

I received this through an email, and I thought it was very interesting.

Eight hundred 12- to 17-year-olds and their parents were surveyed for three months last year by Pew. Here are the results!

• The average teen texter exchanges 1,500 texts each month, with an average of 50 per day.
• Girls are more voracious texters than boys, sending an average of 80 messages a day compared to boys' 30.
• Older girls (14-17) can get through 100 texts a day, or 3,000 a month.
• 21% of teenagers access the Internet only from their cell phones.
• 65% of teens at schools where phones are routinely banned bring their mobiles to school every day, with 58% having sent a text message during class.

How about the parents?!?!

• 2/3 say they check their child's cell regularly.
• 62% have removed the phone as punishment.
• Over half of them limit their kids' use of the phone.
• However, kids prefer to call their parents, rather than texting them.

I must be 'old school' because I still believe in picking up the phone and having a conversation. Yes, I talk on the phone everyday at work for periods of time, but I still realize the importance of phone conversation. I guess we will see in a few years how these individuals communicate in a professional state.

If you never failed...you never lived.

Great Investment: Sidewalk Chalk

A few weeks ago, I went to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things for Alexys and I to play with outside. I got a bat and ball, sidewalk chalk, a bouncy ball and bubbles. All together, I spent around $10. The past two times Alexys and I have been together, we have played outside. This consists of playing baseball and chalking up my sidewalk. We have a blast laying down on the sidewalk, and tracing each other. However, it's quiet embarrassing when you see my body traced next to an 8 year old. She makes me look like a giant!! (A good excuse...I don't let her get too close to get chalk all over my clothes!)

Last night, I laid down on the ground, Alexy traced me and then she made me look like a cheerleader. (btw...Storm Cheerleading is the new thing). Below, is my rocking cheerleading skirt and blue hair.

Another thing we did was a game of Hop Scotch. OMGsh, I didn't know how much talent this took. I haven't done this since grade school, so I'm sure the neighbors got a kick out of watching me try to do this!! I about fell flat on my face a few times. She loved it!!

So, next time you are looking for some cheap entertainment purchase some sidewalk chalk.

AC/DC

Photos from the AC/DC Concert. One word: AMAZING!

Crystal and I at the concert.

Listening to KC/DC to get us pumped up for AC/DC.

KC/DC at P&L before the concert.

"Do you have any uncles?!?!"

I didn't get much sleep on Sunday and Monday, so the past two workdays I have not been very productive. I was tired and still stuck in the vacation mode so the two days felt like 12 hour days. However, last night I got to bed early and I woke up this morning feeling like a rock star. So, I came to work rip-roaring ready to go!

However, I had one large problem. I came into my office and looked down at my desk and saw that its was completely covered in ants! Of course, I let out a scream and stormed out of my office! I thought I could kill them with a little ant spray, but come to find out they were forming a train and coming from my ceiling. My back wall and the floor was covered!!

Everyone tried to cheer me up by cracking a few jokes, of your just so sweet, are you trying to escape (with the ladder up in the ceiling), but Don had the best one with "do you have any uncles?" He even cracked himself up!!

This blog is about how one small problem can ruin your day. Now, I'm at the interns desk pounding away at the computer, waiting for the exterminator to come to take care of my ant problem.

I hope everyone else is having a better hump day than me!!

Easter Break

Below are a few pictures from Easter break.

Here is the Ruff crew.One of my best friend's little boy, Tyler.


My niece Neely.

Gage and Charley.

Gage and Charley again.

Aspen even came out to hunt a few eggs.

Only in Jetmore, KS

This blog may seem a little harsh, but I must say it was the highlight of my morning. We went to Jetmore to watch the kids hunt Easter eggs at the park, and before we left Neal Ray had to go into Presto to get a few things before heading home. One guy came out of the convenience store with long hair and tie die shirt and was walking to his truck. Of course, I get crap from my older sister Jamie, that she found a man for me. Then I hear Crystal yell from the backseat....wait how about this guy?!?! I turn around and this beer gutted, wife beater wearing, white trash man pulled up on his bicycle with cigarette in mouth and gas can in hand. (What we got here is a winner winner chicken dinner!!) Of course, I was in a vehicle with Texas license plates so I knew he wouldn't know me, so I whipped out my iphone to take a few pictures. Everyone was yelling and laughing at me, but I was like...hey I gotta blog about this!!


So, here he is.....Top Bachelor of Jetmore, Ks. (Thank goodness he wasn't seen in my hometown of Hanston. We are at a little bit of a higher caliber than Jetmore!!)

Everything I Need to Know, I Learned from the Easter Bunny...

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Walk softly and carry a big carrot.
Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.
There's no such thing as too much candy.
All work and no play can make you a basket case.
A cute little tail attracts a lot of attention.
Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.
Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.
Some body parts should be floppy.
Keep your paws off other people's jellybeans.
Good things come in small-sugarcoated packages.
The grass is greener in someone else's basket.
An Easter bonnet can cover the wildest hare.
To show your true colors, you have to come out of your shell.
The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.

Happy Easter!

American I-DULL

Okay, my love for American Idol is over!! Yes! The tears are rolling down my face. For all of you that know me, I'm addicted to that show. I'm a huge David Cook fan and even went to the Royals game to watch him sing take me out to the ballgame during the 7th inning stretch. Mathew and I got our tickets in the nose bleed section, brought our cameras, and were waiting for David to make his appearance on the pitchers mound. It was his hometown visit during the show, and he used to serve nachos and hot dogs at the stadium during high school so they brought him to the game.

Yesterday, Scott, Bill, and I were sitting in the staff room during break and I made the comment about American Idol being on tonight. Bill goes read this article. The headline in the St. Joe Newspress read American I-DULL. I couldn't believe it! No way! It's such a great show.

I haven't seen American Idol the last two weeks due to travelling, so I had to get caught up last night. I still have my favorites of Lee Dewzye (sometimes) and Crystal Bowersox. Crystal is awesome and can either rock it in tall black army boots or stilettos, but everyone else needs to stick to the late night karaoke machine at the local bar.

The talk is that Simon is going to leave after this season. But, if I was Simon I would claim Crystal as this years winner and get up and walk away. Why, sit through the embarrassment of the show. Also, how can he stand sitting next to Kara...she's an idiot and just likes to hear herself talk.

I'm pretty disappointed in the show, and I can't believe that out of that many people who audition this is what they come down to. Really, is the best that was out there? I would rather hear Pants on the Ground then a 16 year old girl sing a song that a 65 year old lady should be singing.

I guess I will not plan my schedule around Tuesday and Wednesday nights anymore. American Idol is not worth sitting there and wasting my precious time.

Bubble Tape

Do you remember growing up and getting gum that came in a roll like tape? You know, the one you had to open it up, and then you shut the lid and it cut the gum like scotch tape? Well, Alexys found some of this at the store the other day so I let her get a pack. She asked me if I wanted a piece on the way home, and I was like sure why not. So, I put the gum in my mouth and about choked. It was horrible!! I wanted to spit it back out, but just grinned and tried to chew it. I don't know how I ever chewed that stuff as a kid. It was dry, had no flavor and tasted like I was eating notebook paper. I think that is the worst gum I have tasted in my life!! There must be a reason I switched to buying orbit gum.

So, just remember we may have been 'cool' carrying around a pack of bubble tape when we were young, but we had NO idea how bad the gum really tastes!!

I don't recommend you going out and getting a package today!

Youth Beef Industry Congress

This past weekend, the junior board and I headed to the twin cities for the YBIC. YBIC, is a group of 20 youth beef organizations who put on this conference every two years for our youth to attend. I helped plan in 2008, so I only played the role as treasurer this year (the funds are housed in my office).

All in all the weekend was successful. I think the Angus junior board realized how lucky they have it, when they were eating danishes for breakfast and had to ride in school buses not motor coaches.

This is all of the attendees. I believe there was somewhere around 130 of us.

This is me with the 'snack pack'. I knew they would be starving, so I loaded up my backpack with snacks. They were dissing on the backpack, but then thought it was the coolest thing ever after they were starving. This isn't my first leadership conference!!

Also, I'm sporting the plastic booties! I was bio secure!


Here is the Angus group.

Dying Easter Eggs

I haven't seen Alexys for almost three weeks due to her being sick and my travel schedule so yesterday when I got home from Minnesota I headed straight to Savannah to pick her up for an afternoon of fun. Only having a few ideas in my head to do for the afternoon such as bake cookies, make supper, play board games, or make a craft project I gave her the option to select the afternoons activity. After giving her the choices, she decided that we would go to Michael's and pick out an Easter craft project. I was envisioning us decorating an Easter basket for her to hunt eggs with or make an Easter bunny decoration. But, when we walked into the store we had a better idea...dying Easter eggs. She picked out glitter eggs and egg paint packets and we were off to Target to get 2 dozen eggs.

I haven't died eggs in a long time and I loved doing it as a kid, so I was up for the challenge. However, I didn't remember how to boil eggs or how messy this project can get. I gave Alexys an old shirt, and let her do most of the mixing of the die and putting the paint packets in the little paint container so we had die everywhere. Luckily, the paint and die was easy to clean up.

The eggs were ready and so we were with the decorating. We both decorated eggs, but her favorite part was the glitter eggs. Not wanting to follow the directions, I let her put the whole packet of glitter in the 'glitter shaker' so we had eggs with a THICK coat of glitter. She thought they were beautiful!!

The decorating went pretty fast, and we were both a little upset that we didn't have more eggs to decorate. So, we let them dry and ate supper and played outside.

After they were dry, I let her pick out a basket to put her eggs in to take home. For some reason, she thought the basket smelled like a forest (it must have been the green color). She was so excited to take it home to show her mom and brother and was hoping that they would hide them for her so she could hunt them.

During this time, it was also great to share with her the story of Easter eggs, and that prior to plastic eggs they hunted real eggs. She was in total shock!!

Junior Board Member Featured in Grass and Grain

Check out the Grass and Grain website to see the recent copy of their newspaper. NJAA's own Clinton Laflin is featured on the front page. What a great article!! Kudos to Clinton and the Grass and Grain staff!!

http://www.grassandgrain.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=510

How did we ever live without mobile phones!

Every morning I have the same routine; alarm rings, complain about getting out of bed, pick up the blackberry, and check my emails from the night before. My blackberry is the last thing I look at before I go to bed and the first thing I look at when I wake up. It pretty much controls my life!!

This past weekend while skiing and tumbling down the hill, I smashed my phone and broke it. All I could see was text messages and blackberry messenger messages and had no clue who they were from. My heart sank...no way could I have broken my blackberry. All I could think of was; Who is trying to get in touch with me? What happens if I have car problems? What am I going to do in the airport tomorrow when I'm bored?

Well luckily most of my blackberry came back to life, but I still didn't have any use of the rollerball. So that means its hard to text and email, and no use of the internet! Bummer!!

Luckily, when I got back to the office they were able to order me a new phone...but now I'm just sitting around waiting for its arrival!!

I don't know how I got so addicted to my blackberry. Growing up, I never had a mobile phone until I was a Senior in high school. Prior to that I had to carry around my mom's cell phone and really...who wanted to give out that number?!?!

Head first in the snow!!

At the mini-LEAD conference this past weekend in West Virginia, we went skiing. I've never been skiing before in my life, but I thought I had to try it just once. I also didn't want to be the junior activities director who sat in the lodge taking pictures, so I jumped right in to get my skis!

Everyone thought I was pretty decent for the first time, but I had a problem with stopping!! (yikes!) I took some pretty good tumbles and ate a few mouthfuls of snow. Pam kept trying to get my camera so she could take a picture of me headfirst in the snow with my skis up in the air, but no way was I going to let her take a picture of me looking like that! She thought it was hilarious, and I just informed her that I'm a trooper and I'm going to get this down!! She was pretty impressed!

Most of the time, I would just lay there and laugh for a good 30 seconds and then get back up and go after it again. However, the last time I rolled around in the snow, wondering if I was ever going to walk again. I'm pretty sure my body does not do the splits anymore! Wow, I was a hurting unit on that one.

After trying to get out of bed on Sunday morning, I think my decision of learning how to ski was a foolish one. I'm pretty sure I found muscles that I didn't know I had because they are so sore. My body regrets me learning how to ski, but I enjoyed it and I'm sure everyone else got a kick out of me landing headfirst in the snow!!

My Favorite Part of My Job!!

They say if you love your job, you never go to work. I guess that is true for me, as I'm on a 40 day straight 'extended' work week.

During March, I have the opportunity to put on three different leadership workshops. These are my favorite part of my job, because I enjoy the interaction with the juniors and seeing the friendships they create through our workshops.

This past weekend I packed a suitcase full of games and playdoh and I was off to Virginia. (I love the look the security guys at the airport give me when I tell them that my suitcase is full of playdoh, not 2 oz. expolosives!!)

We had approximately 40 kids at our leadership workshop at the MAJAC show. It was a great group. Its often hard to plan activities for kids ranging in age from 9-21, but we had four great hours of fun.

Playing telephone with marshmallows.

Flipping the tarp without getting off. We had too many people to succeed.

They had to construct a free standing tent out of a USA Today and a roll of masking tape to protect them from the rain in the desert.

4 People: Statue of Liberty

2 People: Piggy Backride

This weekend, I'm headed to Cannaan Valley in Davis, WV to put on another leadership conference. This one is going to be fun as its at a ski resort I'm just crossing my fingers that I don't break a leg. I've never been skiing before.