#MCM, another day-late edition

Don't hate. Life happens. This past weekend we were in ftw for the AMAZING Taylor/McGolden wedding (SO MUCH FUN). Then we flew to PA on Sunday.... and I got lazy yesterday.... So you are getting your #MCM a day late. Again, get over it.

This week's MCM :: Cheap airlines and hidden fees.

This is a good one. So the coach found some REALLY cheap tickets for our flight home from DFW to Philly. Thought we were getting a great deal. It was with an airlines that neither of us had ever heard of - it shall remain nameless... but it starts with an S and ends with a pirit. Anyway, when we got to DFW, we found out the price for checking a bag was nothing short of retarded. AND your bag had to weigh under 40, not 50. AND you could only carry one personal item with you on the plane. AND the cost of any extra personal items with $50. ANNNNNDDD you had to pay for everything on the actual flight... including a cup of water. It was a little less than ideal.

Essentially, we ended up paying way more for the flight than what we would have it we had just booked through one of the more popular airlines.... or just drove to PA.

But our fun didn't end there. Now, I realize this next part is NOT the fault of our not-so-beloved "cheap" airlines... but still... it adds to the story. About 10 minutes before landing, the captain came over the loud speaker saying we were going to have to stay in the air an additional 20 minutes because the weather was so bad in Philly and most of the runways were flooded. Super. Awesome. NOT. Did I mention that  HATE HATE HATE flying? I mean I froggin' HATE it. I have the WORST luck with airports. I'm talking red-headed step-child bad luck. Last year on the way home from NAILE, the coach and I had two sperate flights. Mine was supposed to leave five minutes before his. Well, my flight got delayed 12 FROGGIN' HOURS and he made it home before I could even find an earlier flight out of louisville. And that's not even one of my really bad stories.... Anyway. Once we got on the ground, we then had to wait for a gate to open... again because the flooding was so bad that only a few gates were in operating condition. We literally "drove" the plane through water. Like ponding water, flooded. I digress. That took another 30/40 minutes. Here comes the really super part --- one of the stuartist came over the speaker and said our luggage claim would not be in a typical area, because the airport was experiencing power outages. She said there would be someone directing us to where we could pick up our bags. Well.. That ended up meaning walking out of the airport and back in through the departure check-in desk area. WHICH WAS COMPLETELY PITCH BLACK. Like no lights.... nothing.... and it was nearing 9 PM outside... during a storm. So.... Picturing the scene from a slasher movie? Yeah, I was too. It was froggin' scary.   In order to get our bags, we all waited around until they were hand taken to the front check-in desks. From there, the check-in, cranky, "I need a stiff drink" wenches used a flashlight to one-by-one call out the names on each bag and wait for the owner to come up with proper identification to claim it. It was special. Needless to say, security was almost called on numerous REALLY pissed off ladies and gents... this Yankee not included (my mother should be proud). I mean, I don't blame the flashlight ladies... it wasn't their fault the lights went out. But I also totally understand where the guy who threatened to "call TSA on all their ignorant a$$es" was coming from. It was kind of a high stess situation. Oooooh yeah, one big pile of brother-love in the Philadelphia airport, lemme tell ya.

Oh, and once we had our bags, we still had to direct ourselves around a PITCH BLACK airport with our over-40-pound bags to the rental car area... You want to talk about creepy, I'll give you creepy. Yuck.

Yeah, it was great. Did I mention I hate flying? I hate it. And stupid fees and charges from cheap-o, crappy airlines.




But I sure do love PA.. more on that later. That is, if I don't get lazy.





I'm walking back to Texas

She said 'YES' to the dress!

So, I have the most amazing circle of friends. Like absolutely incredible. I was never what you would call a "girl's girl", but these ladies definitely make me feel like I have sisters. With that said, one of these lovely ladies is getting married :) Okay, so they may not be engaged yet, but they might as well be. The two are completely head-over-heels in love and have been for so many years. They have a date set, and have started the planning process - so even though there isn't a ring quite yet, it's gonna happen. On May 17th, 2014, Josh and Kaitlyn WILL become Mr. and Mrs. Verette. End of story.... or should I say, the beginning of their's.

With all this said, Kait decided to start the hunt for the perfect wedding dress. She asked those of us who lived in/around the bcs area to come along, something that was super fun!! It was amazing seeing my best friend and sister so happy and watching her face light up with each gown. It was awesome. Kaitlyn was such a vision. Such a bridal beauty.

Here are a few snapshots from the day...

Kristina and Rebecca searching through gowns

Sydney getting in on the action

After only three dresses, Kaitlyn found the perfect dress. It is #GORJ and watching her reaction to it was incredible. Obviously, I'm not going to post a picture of her in the gown she chose..... but maybe this will tide all y'all over for the next 10 months...

you didn't actually think I was going to post anything that would have given the gown away, did you? This toes aren't even in a dress she liked.... you nosey little monsters.

I love my girls, and we all are so so excited for Kait's big day!!!! Even though they may have hated having me play paparazzi yesterday, I think they will someday thank me.... or punch me in the stomach....

Either or, really. 

Ohmahgawd moment

Sometimes, I look back on some of my previous posts and just feel humiliated. For a writer, I have the worst grammar, punctuation and spelling ability ever. Yuck!

My apologies. 

Even for a blogger, I blow.

Hook-ed on fa-hhhanics work-ed for meh!

#MCM

Well, look at me... doing two blogs on their proper days. How nifty....

Okay, so this edition of #MyCoach'sMoment is a pretty good one, I've got to admit. The coach is getting really pumped about the team coming back into town next month. So with that, his brain is 95% geared towards them. I don't mind. I'm pretty jazzed for them to get here too :) I miss my babies.... I mean.... the team. Their the coach's team, not my friends... yup.... oh the heck with it, their my friends too. Sorry.

#MCM numero.... 4? 3? 5? I dunno. Something :: Expect Unexpected Opportunity.

The coach is currently reading John Wooden's Wooden on Leadership. It's a pretty solid read. One of the points Wooden makes is to 'Encourage Ambition'. Like Wooden, the coach sees the value of ambitious players - or in this case, judgers. They work their tails off and love to win. Two things we like to see in the livestock judging world. These ambitious people are key for successful situations. However, with that Wooden stresses that the overly ambitious must proceed with caution - a point the coach really thought hit home. Wooden quotes....

"Be ready when your opportunity arrives, or it may not arrive again."

Often these type of individuals lack patience or the ability to handle failure. As hard as judgers work, it can suck not to get cards on contest morning. But, you've got to roll with the punches and realize that even sitting on the bench gives you a unique opportunity. Make the most of it. One of the best things that happened in my entire judging career was not getting cards the morning of the American Royal when I was judging at Butler. There isn't a more stressful feeling in this world than watching your team judge and having no idea what they are marking or seeing. It's awful. And it also lit one heck of a fire in my belly. That drive led me to getting cards at Louisville, and led Buco to a "w" that day. So, if you sit, don't get down on yourself. For the love of God, do not get all cranky - selfish little.... ugh, sorry - take that energy and push yourself harder with it.

On the other hand, when you do get cards, make the most of it. You might not get that opportunity again. Be ambitious enough to know that when game day does come for you, your gonna lead your team to victory.

The coach also notes how this mentality can relate to the job market. It's tough for people our age to get the job they've always wanted. The market sucks lately, and a high salaried position is tough to come by. However, no matter what opportunity does come, make the most of it. You never know where something or someone will take you. The coach and I are both extremely lucky in that we both have the careers we wanted when we were little. (I know, corny, but true) We both feel very fortunate for that and thank God every single day. But, we see our friends struggles with finding jobs. It breaks our hearts, but all we can say is keep your chins' up y'all! Never give up, keep trying and keep the faith. Good things come to good people who work hard and remain ambitious!

Things might change with the sudden snap of your fingers. You have to be prepared to roll with the punches and know that no matter what, God's plan for you and for us is a great one!


Hope you enjoyed this week's edition to #MCM. I realize it may not have been as entertaining as last week..... for which my entire body is thankful.. woof.


toodle-loo!!!!

HLSR

Time for me to toot my own horn... toot, toot.

As some of you know, I do not consider myself an editor, designer or anything creative. However, Ideal Video Productions - the amazing company I work for - was the broadcast company for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo this past March. We videoed and broadcast all open cattle and junior market shows, with the exception of the Steer Show. Houston tested out their ability to broadcast with the steers - and they seriously did such a kick A job. Still, I was able to be in the ring during pre-selection, as well as do the walk to Reliant in order to get some shots to create a highlight video with. Since media access is tight on the floor of Reliant, we weren't able to get the 'slap'... But maybe someday that will be lifted for companies like us and ShowChampions. Like I said, I'm not an editor. I hate editing pictures... because I suck at it... and editing video is probably my least favorite part about my job. I'm not design-minded, so cool stuff doesn't honestly just come to me..... 

BUT with all of that said, I have never been prouder of any project in my entire life. When I put together this segment a few months ago, I had chills the entire process. It still gets me a little choked up. Don't you dare laugh. I'm not a designer/editor - like I said - so this is a big deal for me. 

Please take a second or two to watch this highlight of the 2013 HLSR Grand Champion Steer selection.



Let it roll through once, for loading purposes. Please don't just watch a few seconds. Watch the whole length.... you won't be sorry. I promise

Photo Friday

Hey look! I'm actually doing this on a Friday! It's the simple victories in life that mean the most, lemme tell ya. Especially considering my directTV box is currently full of recorded "retro" episodes of The Hills.... It's amazing that I was even able to leave the couch. I heart scripted reality TV.

Oh! And do you like the new blog design? I don't. But it's better than what it was.

Anyway....

This week's photo comes from one of the most talented photographers I have ever worked with. Not only that, but she is also one of my best friends. I really don't know what I would do without the lovely and amazing Stacey Shanks - aka cajun queen - and it gives me so much joy to highlight one of her images this week.

Meet Sully Shanks, Stacey's oldest son. He is such a complete angel and has one of the neatest personalities ever. As you can tell, Stacey is wicked talented with the camera, but she is equally as fabulous at being a mom. Sully and his younger brother Rayne are simply awesome. Yes, Stacey and Brandon, I really mean that! I will babysit anytime you want!

I asked Stacey what her favorite shot she took lately was and she sent me this.... Gosh, could it get any more perfect? The innocence and wonder in Sully's eyes makes this picture to die for. I love how Stacey chose B&W for it, too. So perfect. Love, love, love. 

You can look at more of Stacey's work by visiting her website, Facebook, or by being lucky enough to call her a pal like I do. Be jealous. Go ahead, I won't be upset :)

Hey, I blogged a Photo Friday... on a Friday.... I'm so impressed with myself. 

.... admit it. Y'all are too. 

#MCM, Tuesday Edition

Okay, so I'm a little on behind with the blog. I'm SORRY! Life happens. If y'all didn't like it so much, you wouldn't have even noticed... anyway.... I'm going to hold off on my missed Photo Friday and keep it for this week - because it's worth it. As for #MyCoach'sMoment... I'm a day late. Get over it. This weekend kicked my butt and has me all out of whack. But I'm blogging now. So enjoy.

This week's #mcm is inspired by this past weekend's.... ummm.. happenings...

#MyCoach'sMoment :: Through sickness and in health.

The coach reminded me last night that I had missed the 'normal' monday #mcm. He actually sounded excited when he said he wanted this week's topic to be those five little words. He has his reasons for picking the them... oh yes, that's for sure. But I'm going to steer clear of why. Let's just say, on saturday at the coach's best friend's wedding - which was GORGEOUS - I acted like I was 18 with a fake ID dancing at Harry's like I just got a new mini skirt. I hurt. Still. The coach was not impressed. I doubt I'm going to pick up an alcoholic beverage ever again. Ever. Again.

But back to the main point. When you say the vows on your wedding day, you say them with butterflies in your heart, a knot in a stomach and a tear in your eye. Sometimes, we don't actually think about the words. Seeing as the coach and I have been married now for 199 days (oh yes, I have a day counter), we have caught glimpses of just how valuable those vows really are. And since July seems to be wedding month for us, we get to hear them said by our best friends as well. Sort of a simple reminder of 'Hey, you're hitched, Remember?'! Personally, those five words remind me that no matter how much of a drama queen I can be, the coach is going to be there for me no matter what.... Even when I'm calling dinosaurs for twelve straight hours... he still is going to make sure I'm alright.... and tell me to take a shower when I finally get my act together - thanks boo ;* But no, seriously. You never realize how much those vows mean until you have been married.

Since December 29th, I've cried at every wedding I've attended. I apologize for what I'm about to say - but I don't cry for the couple. I cry because I am reminded of our wedding. Being married really is something beautiful. Being joined to your best friend, soul mate and the love of your life through God for eternity is a feeling unlike any other. You are no longer just one person. You are a couple. No longer do your thoughts only concern yourself, but more each other. It is completely wonderful and such a blessed feeling.

Plus, when I puke he is legally bound by God to clean up after me.

Poor guy.

No matter how angry we are at each other, how completely filthy and sweaty we get working cows, how injured I always end up, or how drained or sick we may feel, he is my husband and I am his wife. We will be there through it all... even if he sells my favorite heifer....(oy vey).... I still will love him. And he still will love me. That's what it's all about. Obstacles will come, but we aren't worried. As long as we never forget those vows we spoke to each other, there is nothing to fear...

Except a drunken coach's wife.

woof.

This can't be happening....

BABE WALKER ISN'T AN ACTUAL PERSON?!?!?



i just died inside.



where are my tissues?



#whitegirlproblems



#sayitisntso



#:'(

Mindless rambles / reviews

I've been neglecting this blog. And yet, still, readership ( is that the word I'm looking for?) is high. Uh.... wait.... really?.....?!.... Why? What the heck do y'all think is that interesting??? I mean, I'm occasionally witty... but I'm no Jenna Hamilton. For real. PS - Whhhheeeennnnn is that show coming back on the air?!?!?! I read that the writer for it skipped out after the end of this past season (or the first part of it) and MTV is searching for someone to finish the plot out. COME ON! I neeeeeeed to know if Jenna is gonna wake up and go cruise with hotty-bo-body Collin. Team Collin, my friends... team Collin.

And if you are clueless as to what the heck I was just rambling about, I feel very sorry for you. MTV is lame but Awkward is sadly my guilty pleasure... that and Girl Code. Holy poo, that crap is hilllllarious!

Back on track. OKAY! So lately the coach and I have had the time on our hands to do a little movie going (excitement) and I've had my fair share of book reading (even more excitement). With that said, I think I am going to use this here post to ... well ... post my reviews of movies that just hit the theaters (thheeeeeters not the-a-ters) or ones that grace your neighborhood red box. Oh and books... remember books? ... that in the past few weeks have filled my kindle.

***

First up - The Purge *** Oh dear God. If it wasn't the coach's birthday, I would have ran out of the theater, crying. Scary doesn't begin to describe it. And not the good kind. Like the kind that makes me terrified to go outside. Ugh. If you want to be terrified, go for it. It's sick. Nightmares galore. No, I do not want to think about what the world would be like with a 12-hour "murder is a-okay"annual get out of jail free card/pass/law/screwed up exception/rule/STRESS RELIEVER. Eff that. Pardon my language, but NO. Who seriously came up with this story line?!? However, if my daughter ever brings home a boyfriend like that tool. Oh. Let me tell you. I would go Yankee cray. He'd arrive at the house a young boar and leave a puny barrow.

Ugh. Next - World War Z *** Dear Angelina Jolie.... I envy you. Brad Pitt is amazing. He literally gets better looking with age. I can't remember the plot because he was such an awesome distraction... wait, no I'm kidding... kind of .... the movie was AWESOME! Another kind of (in my opinion) freaky flick, but really good. Was NOT aware it was going to be a zombie film. I might not have gone had I known that... Even though the coach told me multiple times it was.. but with that said, I still really liked it. A little too much I Am Legend at some points, but overall I give it 4 gig 'ems out of 5.... Now please come save me from the snake in my backyard, Mr. Pitt.

On to rental flicks... First - Silver Linings Playbook *** The coach commented it was one of the best movies he has seen in a long time. He has dealt with a bipolar person (if you are reading this, get off of here now. My - excuse me - OUR life ain't yo business. You know exactly who you are.) and said it depicting the disease factually yet made it entertaining and humorous - something the disease is not, I guess. I liked it too. Katniss is a BA. I'm sorry, Jennifer Lawrence is a BA. She is literally one of the best actresses of the current era. Love her. And Bradley Cooper is right up there with Mr. Pitt. Any man who can make me laugh and look like that is okay in my book. To me, the plot was sad. How hard would it be to feel so completely in control when you were just absolutely out of control? Not saying I didn't like it... again, I did! But it was one of those movies that with a different cast - I think - would have been a complete Debbie downer.

Second - Hansel and Gretel *** Waste of a dollar. Neeeexxxt!

Lastly - Cloud Atlas *** after three hours of this film all the coach and I could say was .... whhhaaa? Weird. Really weird. And why did they have to throw Professor Slughorn in there??? He didn't need to be stuck with that plot!

Now on to the enjoyable stuff (I'll keep it brief) - books!

Mortal Instruments 2, 3, 4, and (the beginning of.... still haven't finished) 5 ***WAY GOOD. I really liked the first book but had trouble getting through the second. I actually stopped reading it about a year ago, but after seeing the trailer for the first movie I knew I had to finish. Glad I did. Wicked good. I'm such a teen nerd trapped in a 25-year-olds body. Thanks for the occasional break-out, "inner Jo".

Crossfire series, books 1 and (so far) 2 *** HOLY POO! 50 Shades, you're lame. Sorry I'm not sorry. Thank God there is finally a scandalous book with a solid plot. And I want my own Cary. Someone... please be my Cary!! (no, not one of the main lover characters - you sickos!) All I'm saying.

And, because I HAD to read it for the third time since January of this year ---- White Girl Problems *** If you have not read this book, I feel very sorry for you. Life changer. You will literally LOL so be careful where you read it. I made the mistake of reading it the first time while at a show the coach was judging. I made a butt of myself. He could hear me giggling from the ring. Yikes. I was 'that' wife.

And finally, I just started this (yes I am reading three books at once... got over it) but - Bond Girl *** super trendy and fun. I like it. Awesome main character and rocking plot. At least I think so.

***

Okay, I hope that was enough to tide y'all over for a little. Oh! Almost forgot -- Johnny redeemed himself today. Yes, Johnny, I once again love you. All is well is the world.

**** MY OPINIONS AND VIEWS AND WORD SELECTION ARE NOT A REFLECTION OF THAT OF THE COACH'S.... he has a heart.

K bbyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeh!

#MCM

Welp, I thought this might soon happen. The coach is currently burning the midnight oil, trying to get a well working on one of their lease places... with that said, he is not thinking too much about what this week's #MyCoach'sMoment is/could be. I forgive him.

Instead... you get stuck looking at two pictures from wyoming :) That's what you get for reading my blog..... complete and utter randomness. Get over it, or close this window and never come back.

The Coach.... he's so cute .... But he needs to drop that snow/iceball. 

Because I can. Top of the froggin' world.

I know it was a crappy edition to #mcm... but again, I figured this would happen. I'm thinking I will have to blog tomorrow about more randomness. And hopefully soon I will change the God awful design of these here little dealy. Makes me cringe. 

Over and out. 

Photo Friday : another Saturday edition

.....because I got lazy last night. Sorry. I think I'll have to do two separate blogs today just to catch y'all up on what's been going on... It's hard to keep up with us. We need our own reality show or something just so we can look back and remember everything that happens in a day's time. It would be like the show Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Except with substance. And cows. And no babies named after the coordinates on a map. Not clever, Kim K, not at all.

Anyway... Photo Friday strikes again! And, like I promised, it's not one of my own! Only prob is I really don't know who took the pic....

But, holy hereford, how could I NOT use this pic?!?!? Yesterday - instead of blogging - the coach and I were at the Belt Buckle Bonanza in Waco... which got my blood pumping for the Spring's Major Show Season (YES that deserved capital letters). So, I got inspired for this edition of photo friday. The internet is amazing. You can search just about anything and get the neatest pics and stories. This gem came from googling "champion slap". It is from Houston, circa :: ?? Late 1950's-ish probably. How killer is this, though? I mean, A) winning the Houston steer show is definitely cause for a giddy-girl jump. and B) LOOK AT THAT FROGGIN' HEREFORD! I love old timey steer/cattle pics. Watching our industry change via snapshots always amazes me. The 50s and 60s are easily my fave. They look like adorable little puffs of fluff. The above champ is no exception... complete with the straightest hock I've ever seen. This little midget was #fluffycows before #fluffycows were #fluffycows. And those jeans..... I mean COME ON! Hashtag :: awesome. The best part is - this might be a dude showing. And for those days he was a rad stud for rocking those painted one pants. Oh, this is way too much greatness for one frame. Can't take it.

So perfect. So hilarious. So awesome. The butt shot of all butt shots.

Uhhh. I still die. If you say this picture doesn't entertain you than you don't have a pulse.

End of story.

How am I ever going to top this?

My Coach's Moment

Second edition of #mcm coming right up, fresh off the pavement! For this week's post the coach was definitely inspired by our current situation - driving home from Wyoming. Again I must say, thank God for the iPhone's blogger app. Our ETA is 3 am... And as much as I love y'all, I'm not about to be blogging when this ship docks in Brenham. Unless y'all want me to completely lose my personal verbiage sensor. For which I might regret. I digress... 

This week's #mcm :: road trips and livestock judging. 

The two really go hand-in-hand. If you plan on judging at the collegiate level, you better be prepared to sit in a car/van/SUV/cardboard box for hours on end. Simply put, no matter where you live, you don't have access to every type of stock or an endless supply of classes - plus you aren't going to be close to every single contest. You sort of learn how to live out of a vehicle. That means learning how to work up sets and giving them while the vehicle moving (pack your Dramamine and a helmet), finding ways to pass the time, figure out the most comfortable position to catch some z's, avoiding foods that will make you 'that person', timing/controlling how much liquid you intake so you don't become 'that person', and be willing to be someone's pillow, punching bag, game partner and general entertainer.

You think I sound crazy? Pah! For those of you who have judged, you are nodding your head to every word in the above sentences. Just how it is. However, with those preparatory expectations, road trips are also where you make some of your best, life-long friends. The connection you make with your teammates is one that can never be broken. The memories you share with these crazy cats will be some of the best memories of your life. The coach and I find ourselves laughing while we travel over stories from our own teams.

There is another aspect to being on the road, and that's the drive home. Sometimes the drive home from a contest can be the best you will have. Then again, it could also be the most brutal. How you fair at a contest typically sets the mood for the next few hours stuck in a vehicle packed with emotions coming from your coach, teammates and yourself. The longer the trip, the more miserable or grand a drive can be. Either way, you are still enduring these hours with your teammates, thus increasing that bond. Unless you are 'that person' who decided to reenact scenes from Animal House post contest. No one likes the kid holding the barf bag. Just FYI. 

Covering the Nation's highways in a judging van can be the greatest miles of your life. Enjoy them. They will fly by in an instant. 

Final thought - never leave your judging van unlocked in a stock show parking lot, overnight or around Jeff Nemecek. (Love you jeffy!)