It's That Time of Year...

Recently my one friend Karlee and I made a purchase of black hair dye at our local drugstore.This purchase turned a few heads as we picked up boxes of Black Licorice, with us both being blonde.

The one lady came rushing out and asked us if we needed help. We answered that we had everything we needed and started to make our way back to the counter, wondering why she seemed so concerned.

Then she asked us awkwardly, “Please tell me that isn’t for you two…”

Another clerk came along and overheard the conversation with us giggling. She surprised Karlee and I by her knowledge, “Let me guess, it’s achievement day?”

That is what the hair dye actually was for, our two steers, Turbo & Wylie. It is the time of year where black hair dye leaves the shelves at alarming rates and blondes everywhere get funny looks.

Dying your calf is a process that takes on average two boxes of black hair dye and an hour of your time. Our family mixes the dye up in a fogger adding about a cup of water. We then fog the creation on, combing it in after and washing it out after 30- 45 minutes unless otherwise outlined on the box. I wear the plastic gloves but Ty never does, but it’s always important to never get the dye in your eyes and to wash well after the process.

We now have about half of our club dying their calves, recognizing that it adds a certain eye appeal to a black calf that is starting to show his inevitable red spring tinge.

So let your local drugstore know it’s achievement day season, and they should stock up on black hair dye!

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=144fdea2-d89c-4315-988f-f88f8844b914

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=144fdea2-d89c-4315-988f-f88f8844b914

Going Gaga

These days celebrities seem to have anything their little heart desires. This includes clothing or perfume brands, nail polish, shoes, television shows, and now Facebook games.

I know what you’re thinking; a Facebook game is innocent enough. However the basis of the game is the surprising part.

Lady Gaga has teamed up with Zynga to develop GagaVille, a inspired farming game based on her “unique style including colorful crystals, magical unicorns, and sheep on motorcycles."

With the partnership being revealed May 10th it appears the joint venture is aimed at enhancing Zynga's games buzz and Gaga's soon to be released album. GagaVille acts as an alternative to FarmVille, and will give players access to music from Gaga's upcoming release Born This Way. Rumor has it, Zynga is planning a "Words With Gaga" contest, which will give users a chance to win prizes such as Lady Gaga concert tickets and signed album copies.

http://themusicgates.blogspot.com/2011/05/lady-gaga-born-this-way-alejandro-bad.html

Gaga stated on May 10^th,"I want to celebrate and share Born This Way with my little monsters in a special way that's never been done before.” She believes, "Zynga has created a magical place in FarmVille where my fans can come play, and be the first to listen to the album."

http://www.fastcompany.com/1752621/farm-monster-lady-gaga-partners-with-zynga-for-gagaville

http://blog.games.com/2011/05/17/lady-gaga-farmville-gagaville-guide/

It's Where I Come From

I'm pretty hick in my home town. They call me the crazy cow lady. Some of my best friends at school just found out what I really went for Denver for (judging on the livestock team).

This is a shocker for someone like me, who has grown up from day one on a farm. I spent my childhood chasing after farm cats, learning to stay away from the tractors. I quickly found respect for the Momma Cow and the power of the baby calf in taking your breath away.

When you're out on your farm your siblings become your best friends and the dog is your playmate.

It's important to stay true to your rural roots and never hide from where you came from.

Spread your love ffor agriculture every chance you get, whether it's posting a picture of a newborn calf on facebook or telling your friends about how good the fresh air is at seven in the morning.

Lexi, my younger sister in her glory. She asks to tie up baby calves every night so she can lead this baby around. That smile is irreplaceable and her joy is undeniable.

Something to Be Proud Of.

I always knew I had the best parents but it seems they're really out doing themselves lately. I think back to all the times they drug my butt out at six on show morning and listened to me whine about whatever happened to be wrong it my life. I think about all the mornings they waited up until my two o'clock curfew when they really didn't have to. I think about all the times they told me I was wonderful when I felt like there wasn't a hope in the world.

All the hours and dollars spent on dance competition after dance competition. All the nights Momma T spent sewing elastics onto hats and my four pairs of shoes. All the dance recitals Papa Billy had to sit through when he could have been home babysitting his cows.

All the money spent chasing the junior cattle shows across the province. The entry forms Momma T had to double and triple check. All the calves Papa Billy had to help us halter break. All the summer days spent sardined into our camping trailer.

It seems that they have gotten much smarter in the last couple months because everything makes sense. They didn't have to do anything for my siblings or I but they always have. Since we were young we were rarely told no when it came to extra curricular activities. We don't tell our parents enough what everything they do means to us.

So here's a shout out to all the parents for all the effort they've put into making us who we are.
And a reminder for you to thank your parents for all the little things that make a difference.

I'll Tell You A Story Of A Girl.

Last night I had recital practice. This is always quite the event with several group from age four to seventeen all dancing together for the first time. I can't imagine how stressful this is for the parents, but for me it is really rewarding. I love talking to the kids and imagining how they are going to change in the next five or ten years. The way that a six year old looks at you when you show her how to do a jete is possibly the most rewarding experience I have had. They take your word as law and you feel like you're on the top of the world.
They all knew it is my last year and I got told several times I couldn't just quit after my twelve years. I just laughed but I'm not so sure I'll ever quit dancing. I probably won't preform again but I may look into a recreational class or just practice myself.
I think what I'm going to miss the most (besides my swimmer muscles) is the whole concept of group. My dance girls have been a huge part of my life for so long and I can't possibly thank them for everything. The opportunity to get to know all of them has been a pleasure.
Jete: A leap in ballet in which one leg is extended forward and the other backward.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/jete

With June 5th & 6th growing closer I am forced to start thinking about my last achievement day. It's impossible to think back to how in nine years I have grown to a confident seventeen year old girl from that shy junior. I haven't ever really gotten attached to a 4-H steer but this year Turbo has weaseled himself into my heart.

As Lindsey Douglas keeps telling me when I tell her how scared I am of everything changing, "This isn't the ending, it's just the beginning."

Once Is Enough

So with my diploma drawing closer each passing day I have been spending much time having quiet reflection. Being a grade twelve student I have adapted the belief that, "I'm a grade twelve I do what I want." Nevertheless I believe Peter Pan was on to something with "Neverneverland" and the Lost Boys.

This weekend I attended one of my last 4-H events as a delegate, Provincal Selctions in Olds, and it was monumental. 4-H has been such a large part of my life, even before I was nine years old and could join, that it seemed like it could not really be ending. The funny part, it now it really is just a new beginning. I was lucky enough to become one of the 14 new ambassadors and a spot on the trip to Toronto with one of my best friends Jenalee. It is well known that I cry at the end of every camp, however this time I kept it together better than usual. It made it pretty clear to me that 4-H is not really ending, but I'm at a point in my life where I don't need to worry about it being over. I know what 4-H has given me and that I will never lose it.

Additionally today was my last dance competition. I have been dancing since grade one. Those twelve years have really shaped myself as a person. I know the five plus hours I have spent each week from September to May every year were well spent. This competition I recieved three golds, and an Outstanding group award for my lyrical routine. It was an excellent way to round off my career. As my group, the three girls that have become my best friends and a teacher who is someone I can turn to no matter what, discussed next years routine, it hit me, life would go on. I am so scared of the day when I don't have dance class to work my frustrations out on the floor but I know I'll be okay. I just can't imagine not having them around because we have been a unit for so long.

There is precisely seven days until my eighteenth birthday where I will become a legal adult and ten days until my high school graduation. This leaves me wondering, where has the time went? I can still remember my first day of grade one and my itchy white socks. I remember my first bus ride and how scary it was to make new friends. Now however, I only wear fuzzy socks to keep my feet happy. I can drive much to everyone's surprise, with a valid drivers license and I like to think I know everyone.

I guess what I'm hoping you get out of this post is the fact that time flies and you better make everything count. You only live once, but if you life life to the fullest that once is enough.