A rare planting post from a farming blog

Sometimes I forget to talk about farming on this dog & pony show because I'm too busy talking about myself other stuff.  But always know when you're reading about me other stuff - B-rad is usually doing something farming related.  

I cried & whined a little explained in the last post how I do things by myself because he's always busy  - & this spring has been a real BITCH about letting him get corn in the ground.

He has a fancy pants app to tell him when he plants what fields & I also have the aforementioned fancy pants app on my iPad so I can track his every movement see what his maps look like.  However, it takes a day or two or FIVE for my app to update so I decided to go all old school this year & make an 'official planting calendar' on my super cool iPhone to track his planting progress.  

Ya know how sometimes it feels like something takes FOREVER but in reality in only lasted a short while?  That's what I wanted to determine - if planting really lasted FOREVER like it feels or if I'm being a baby silly.

He started at our house on Easter Sunday, April 20th.  (No-farmers don't celebrate Easter.  Nor do we celebrate Memorial Day.  Fourth of July & Thanksgiving are questionable.  YES - most years B-rad eats lunch at moms on Thanksgiving & then heads out to the combine....)  You can see that he stays pretty steady that whole week & then it rained... There is no activity on the 25th because I think he helped his brother spray that evening.  No planting - no entry in the official planting calendar.

And you know I NEVER curse the rain...  But you can see from the official planting calendar that after the rain on Apr 28th & 29th - he was down for the week.  Then just as he got going again - it rained again.  (And YES - we need the rain...)  That's when I upped my game & started putting how much rain we got.  4/10" Friday the 9th & 6/10" Saturday the 10th.  (That's how he got to go out for my birthday!)  That's also about the time the warm temps took a nose dive.

He was down again for another week from all those rain showers.  He got back to it & then the tractor broke.  (It's always something....)  I noted that as 'MX260 down'.  I had to order him the part through work & we had them over-nighted so he would have it the next day.  He lost 2 days from that.

It's also worth noting that even when he wasn't planting - he still had things to do on the farm.   Trust me he wasn't sitting home doing nothing (or installing my new bathroom fixtures.  Hmph...) So -my little un scientific experiment has proven that planting really does take forever.  Case closed.

ANYWAY-life goes on & the corn that has been planted is starting to grow.  This was a couple of weeks ago at our house.  (Planted Easter, Apr 20th, remember?)  We had issues w/ a field he planted before it rained & got cool with the corn not coming up.  They were going to give it a few more days of warm weather to see if it rotted in the field or if it will come up.  If it rotted - he will have to re-plant it.  Fun.

  A couple of weekends ago I was running my booty off w/ farm errands & as I was going back home from the barn - the field looked so pretty up the hill I got out & took a pic...

I put this on Facebook with the caption, "In the words of the super cute Tim McGraw - I'm gonna watch our corn pop up in rows."  (for my non-country music fans - he's a singer & that's a lyric from a song of his...)

 In further proof that B-rad has had the worst spring EVER - he sent me a pic of the thing he loves more than me.  Remember when he got hit going to work & it messed up the front of his truck?  We had that fixed through insurance & all was well in the world.  WELL - somehow a strap that was supposed to hold down that drum of hydraulic oil came loose & the metal end slammed into his truck bed & left this huge dent.  No way to fix it - he's gonna have to get a whole new bed.  Sigh.

If B-rad wasn't suicidal before - this may have just put him over the edge...

Crashing Memorial Day weekend

 B-rad is busy, busy, busy trying to get done planting so like every other year - we don't do anything Memorial Day weekend.  I'm a farm widow & depend on the kindness of strangers friends to entertain me!   Alicia & I had texted a bit one day last week & I asked where they were going to camp over the weekend. Her response was, "Patoka!  You should come hang out with us!"

And voila - a plan was born.  

I was going to spend the day at camp on Sunday.  They were having a pitch in that night & I offered to bring dessert.  Patoka is about an hour from our house & I didn't get lost not ONE time finding the campground....however - I did get lost LEAVING the campground.... I have directional issues - ask B-rad  - he'll tell ya...

  Alicia & I have really been friends forever & she means a lot to me.  Her family treats me like one of their own.  (The side I'm not technically related too...)  They truly are great people.... 

We spent the day doing a whole lot of nothing.  That's what's fun about camp!

 At one point Janelle broke out some candy... When I tell you there were kids coming out of every nook & cranny to swarm her - I am not exaggerating.  It was like attack of the piranhas.  

Just look at her face...

 Nora & Mazden are 3 years old...& they ate pop rocks like it was their JOB.

 The boys went out on the boat for a while & when they came back they were ready to start roasting marshmallows.  

 Jake is Alicia's mini me son & remember how I told you in my birthday post that Brian & Shauna's little guy doesn't talk to me?  Jake is the EXACT OPPOSITE.  When I got there he was leaving out on the boat.  That didn't stop him from screaming at me, "JAIME!  JAIME!  I'M GOING OUT ON THE BOAT!"  And when he came back, he ran towards me, "JAIME!  JAIME!  I'M BAAAACK!"  

You know I hate the attention.  

 If this isn't a disgusting mess, I don't know what it.  

Look at that face - he LOVES it that I'm taking his picture.

On Monday, Brian & Shauna invited me over to hang out by the pool.  I had to take B-rad lunch & he wanted me to help him move to another field after he was done planting the field he was in.  

Well... something broke on the planter & I had to drive him back to the barn to fix it THEN take him back to the field.  He told me, "When we get back to the field we'll just move my truck instead & you can go ahead & go to Brian & Shauna's."   

Poor guy - I feel so bad he works so much... he feels bad too...

All that farming stuff took a while so I didn't get there until it was almost time to start making dinner.  In a rare "Memorial Day miracle"-when Dylan saw me he said, "HI JAIME!!!"  (I hated that attention too!)  

Shauna made a ton of yummy food & even sent some home for B-rad.   

Thanks to all my buddies for letting me be a part of your Memorial Day celebrations!  I'm thankful that I have people in my life that let me come solo & never make me feel like I am!  Mu-wah!

Summer concert series - Rascal Flatts

Last Saturday, Shauna & I headed north to see Rascal Flatts in concert at the Klipsch Music Center.  It's an ampitheater thingie so it's like all open to the fresh air.  There are seats under a cover & a large yard to sit in.  We purchased tickets that went with actual seats.

  Gloriana was one of the opening acts.  Anyone know them?  I had no clue.

We got there as Gloriana was singing their last song, so we walked around a bit before the next act started.  You can see the lawn in the background.

It was a chilly evening...the low that evening was in the mid 50's.  See us in our long sleeves & puffy vests? We love a good puffy vest.  But really-the weather was perfect.  Look at the old dudes behind us.  Do you think they know what selfies are? 

 Next up was Sheryl Crow.  I don't care for her.  She made a name for herself in the pop music industry & now she's trying to cross over to country.  No thanks.

Finally time for Rascal Flatts! 

 Towards the end I had to pee & when we were outside the actual theatre...using porta potties, (for the LOVE OF GAWD.) the band went off stage & lots of people started to leave.  You know how they do - leave the stage, say goodnight all the while knowing we're going to keep screaming & clapping until they come back out.

 We went back in as the masses were coming out.  It was like salmon swimming upstream or whatever kind of fish does that.  Since a lot of people abandoned their seats, we found a new spot to sit in for the last few songs.

 Of course, no concert is complete without sitting in traffic after.  It took us about 20 minutes to get out of the parking lot which wasn't bad...but then we sat on the interstate forever...

 We had eaten lunch at Max & Erma's in Edinburgh...& whenever you go to Max & Erma's you MUST get their fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.  We didn't eat all of them after lunch so we put them in the car for the long, late drive home.  As we sat in the lot to leave, some fellow concert goers gave us a couple of beers.... so we sat in traffic, ate cookies & drank a beer.  No, I don't like beer.  Yes, it was gross.  

But it was free, what else was I supposed to do?

Happy birthday to me!

My birthday was this past Saturday, the 10th.  The year I was born (1976...gasp...) I was born ON Mother's day, so my birthday always fall on or around Mothers Day... & I hate that.  I mean-I get ONE day a year that's mine...WHY do I have to share with all the Mothers of the world.  WHYYYYY?

I had my nails done the Monday before & in honor of ME, I had them done in none other than my signature clor.  

No glitter, no tips, no design, no fuss - just PURPLE.

I needed to run a few errands in Corydon that morning & when I left - I saw something strange on top of our house....

For you city slickers - these are BUZZARDS.  They are huge, nasty birds that eat dead stuff.  And they are much more scary looking in real life than on my phone camera.  When I saw THREE, count 'em, THREE on top of the house I was a little freaked out.  I called B-rad & said, "Hey-there are like three buzzards on TOP of our house.  Is that a bad omen?"

He replied, "Well-they know you're old now - they're getting ready...."

True love, people...

Whenever you have a chance to eat Culvers - you do it.  It's a lunch bonus on your birthday!  

Shauna had invited us to go to dinner that night.  B-rad's attendance would all depend on the rain.  We made a tentative plan that if it rained, ALL of us- including B-rad -would go out to eat & if it didn't - her & I would go out.   It rained quite a bit Friday night & Saturday so B-rad was able to go.  We had dinner at The Yellow Cactus & Shauna & I shared a pitcher of magaritas.  After dinner we sent the boys home w/ the kids & Shauna treated me to a pedicure!  

B-rad & I are pretty low key on our own birthdays, but when we got back to their house,  they had cake & a gift waiting for me.  It did make me feel pretty special...

Brian's job was to pick up the cake & he gets an A+ for making sure the lady spelled it correctly.  

In case you haven't heard - I'm a little bitty teeny weeny crazy psycho about that... 

Ok-so I have to show ya'll the envelope a bit closer.  Brian DREW the whole thing, people.  He's seriously talented & I love all the flowers!   

I knew that Shauna had gotten me a small bluetooth speaker for my birthday, & on the day of - she couldn't find it.  I told her not to worry about it - it would show up eventually!   Inside the gift bag was another drawing - that I did NOT understand...

As I stared - perplexed - Shauna said, "I know why I can't find that speaker!  They haven't shipped it yet!" & then it clicked - the 'thing' above 'missing' is what the speaker looks like.  Then, I laughed... the speaker is missing... get it?

Again - drawing by Brian...

Their son, Dylan, is 6.  He's not a big fan of mine....(I know, I know - I don't get it either!).  He doesn't really want to be near me & doesn't really talk to me.  I always try to joke & say, "Yea - I have that affect on men..."  I mean, he's a little boy - I don't think he doesn't talk to me because he's being malicious...he's being a little boy & I'm a gross girl.  (But it does irritate me that I can come in & be like, "Hey Dylan!  How are you buddy?" & I get silence, but B-rad comes in, "Hey Dylan - give me five buddy!" & he smiles & gives him 5.  What.ever.  :))

Every so often, Dylan will surprise me.  Recently, he has started to randomly give me a hug or even talks to me.  I always have to acknowledge it & tell his parents, 'LOOK-he's HUGGING me!  I didn't even ASK him too!!!!  I'm growing on him!!!'

Back at their house after dinner & pedicures, Dylan came up to me & said, "Happy Birthday" & gave me a hug.  Color me shocked.  THEN when it was time for cake he announced, "I wanna sit by Jaime!"   Whaaaaa?  

I mean-I guess it could've been because there was cake involved...

I'm choosing to believe it's just because he wanted to sit by me.

After I opened my gift, he brought me these pictures he drew...& a plastic hanger.  I don't know if he had drawn these pictures depicting different characters from "Sponge Bob" specifically FOR me, or if he had just drawn them earlier at some point & got caught up in all the gift giving & wanted to give me something...?

Again, I'm choosing to believe he drew them FOR me...

See - told ya I'm growing on him...

The little guy did a pretty good job.  This one is Sponge Bob & his Pineapple house.  I don't know the little snails name...

 In my 'margarita'd' state of mouthiness mind, I begged Brian to build a fire 'for my birthday'.  And he did not disappoint.  We ended the night hanging around the fire, laughing & making fun of each other - you know - like friends do.

Thanks to the rain Gods that made it pour so B-rad could celebrate my birthday AND to the Groves' for cake (with proper name spelling), presents, a pedicure, a fire, hugs from Dylan & margaritas!  

Our nephew goes to prom

Saturday night was North Harrison's prom at The Grand in New Albany.  Brady, his buddies & their dates were going to meet at the park to take pics.  And ya'll KNOW the crazy, over bearing, picture freak taking aunt had to show up.  Had to happen.  (In the spirit of full disclosure, when Brady came to pick up the Mustang Thursday night he said, "Jaime - we're doing pictures at the park at 2:30 Saturday."  See-HE KNOWS.)

I was there, promptly at 2:30, like Brady told me...he was not so prompt.  I waited near some fancy dressed people & realized they were kids of people I went to school with. (God Bless Facebook...)  And I thought to myself, "What are THEY doing here?  We're not old enough to have kids...."  Oh, wait - sadly I am.  I'm 37...I could totally have a 17 year old.  Totally glad I don't, but I could.  This is where I break out in hives.

As always, I got the standard,  'What are YOU doing here?'  

"I'm here to see my nephew - Brady McAfee". 

 "OHHH, Brady is your nephew?  Ohhh, ok - that makes sense now."  

Really?  We have the same last name, people...

Brady & Sarah.  

They've been 'dating' (& I use that term loosely.  I don't know what the kids are calling it these days.) for maybe a year & a half.  I met her at Christmas year before last but she's so quiet & there's so much going on I didn't get to know her well.  She came to the lake last summer a lot w/ Brady so I was able to spend more time with her.  She's a sweet girl.  I've told her over & over again to run from the McAfee's as far as she possibly can.  She just smiles & giggles.  Alicia & I told her last summer that, 'It was too late for us - to save herself', but alas - she hasn't heeded our warnings...  

And really - if you don't think my nephew is a handsome kid you need a serious talkin' too.  Look at that face!!!  Man, I love that boy!!!

Brady & Adam

See if you can follow this -  Adam's dad is our sister in laws, Lora's, ex-husband.  Which makes him half brother to our niece, Erin, & nephew, Derik.  He's not related to Brady, they were born about a month apart & have been friends since birth.   Adam is a pretty good kid.  Anytime I see him out, he always comes up & talks to me & gives me a hug.  

You know, like the old ladies like... sigh...

Brady, Sarah, Megan & Adam.

Poor Brady had to drive his moms Taurus to prom....

The whole crew...except for Katilyn....  Kaitlyn is loyal blog stalker, Robin's, daughter.  And also is my friend, Alicia's, niece.   She's also a sweet gal.  Anytime she sees me she hugs me & talks to me.  (It doesn't take much for these kids to get on my good side.  Hell, one of them crashed up my car & I don't even care...)  Katilyn had hurt herself at school & had a boot on her foot & was embarrassed to come take pics... :(

Boys...

I was texting badgering Robin about Kaitlyn not coming because I wanted to see her in her dress.  And I'm not saying that the texting badgering had anything to do with this, but I saw a gal hobbling towards us & I realized it was her.  I think I was more excited to see her than her bff was... 

And yes, I ran to her & hugged her...& she told me I looked pretty in my purple top.  She's got my number, doesn't she?!

Most the other kids had left by the time we got Kaitlyn settled & her dates mom showed up so we only got a few pics with them.  I mean-could you die from the cuteness?  Seriously.  

Yes - Kaitlyn's dates mom went to school with me.  When they were leaving I started giving Sarah, Brady & Kaitlyn hugs & giving the whole," Be careful.  Have a good time.  Behave" speech & her date said, "Oh-are you Sarah's mom?"  And I was like, "nooooo."  He said, "Oh-you're Brady's mom?"  I said, "Nooooo.  I'm Brady's Aunt...."  This kid was determined to make me someones mom before I left.  Aaaaand more hives...