Is it June already?!?

I love summer. But that fact that it's already summer of 2014 is crazy to me. This year is flying by. Oh well, I think that's a good thing. 

So obvi it's been a while since I've posted. I don't really have an excuse.... well... except for the fact that I've been busy. Like stupid busy. The month of April was crazy. Good, though. Being busy with portrait sessions isn't something I ever plan for, but it was a great way to spend all of April and most of May. Speaking of which, May was pretty awesome too. Filled with lots of fun, weddings, and other shenanigans. Which brings us to June. For the sake of time and laziness on my end, I'll just quickly bullet the updates in my life (since March)

· My best friend got hitched (it was awesome. Love you Kaitlyn VERETTE!!! Happy one month anniversary!!)

· We all lost an incredible friend/cattleman/inspiration

· Read a boat load of books (see below)

· Discovered Netflix (GAHHHH!) (see below)

· Made a huge lifestyle change of doing my own nails (scary)

· Team #BlinnWin 2013-2014 has left Brenham, America :(

· My babies all graduated from High School.... Emily June, Anna, Haley, Atalie, Jonathan, Maddy, Mason, Dylan, Team Hope&Faith, Jeb, Caleb, Logan, Ashley, Kourtney, Quinton, McKenna, and so many more... I love y'all and will miss you SO MUCH next year :(

· Chopped of all my hair ... No, I am not trying to look like Miley Cyrus. No, I'm not going through a quarter-life-crisis. I'm lazy, it's easy. I like it, and yes the coach likes it. If you don't like it, I'm sorry, but it's not on your head, so get over it. Stop asking me if I'm okay. Stop touching it. Stop singing Miley Cyrus songs when I enter a room (T-SHACK!....(though admittedly, it is really funny)). Get over it.  

· Judged a show with the coach (well... sort of)

· Spoke during state 4-H roundup 

· Pictured the state simmy/simbrah show with my showchamps fam

· Potentially have a pregnant dog (super unclear/super impossible.... but our little market lamb is looking more and more like a dang overfed southdown lately :( sooooo hopefully it was the neighbors Chihuahua that did the deed)

· The Spurs won (GO SPURS GO!). No, I'm not a huge basketball fan - but I do love the Spurs. And if you look back to last year's posts around this time, you will see I am not a bandwagoner. I secretly love watching Tony Parker play. It's freaking hilarious. I literally cheer "Go little man!" When he has the ball. And Kiwi (Yes, I call Kawhi Leonard Kiwi) is amazing - both athletically and professionally - like I want to be his friend. And, I mean, who didn't cry watching Tim Duncan with his kids? If you didn't you might be heartless. Or male. And Manu.....well, he is the easiest person for me to pick out when I'm watching the games without my glasses on. Bald white men are hard to come by in the NBA. And Lebron is a frogging baby. 

· That's essentially it. 

Since I'm such an opinionated little cuss, I figured I would go over some of the books I've read since March and some of the TV shows I've crazily become addicted to... Because if I utilized this post to vent... well.... I'm sure my lovely stalkers- I mean readers would have a few choice words to say about me. (Get over it already)

Books (yes, they still make these)

· If I Stay · Pretty incredible/horribly tragic/terrible ending/I really liked it. Back in April, I saw the previews for the movie based on this book and thought it looked really interesting. Naturally, I felt I had to read the book before even thinking about seeing the movie, I dove into this love story. It isn't typical. It is straight up SAD. If you are looking for a quick, witty, emotional read then definitely check it out. I will say, after reading this there is no way I want to see the movie. If you've read it, then you understand.

· The Stark Trilogy · Okay, I really did not like 50 shades. So sue me. But this trilogy..... well.... it's uuhhh.... it's nice. I recommend it. el oh el.

· Psychos · This is the second book written by "Babe Walker". As most of my readers know, I LOVED White Girl Problems. I will say, it is funny... and good... but it's not as good as WGP. I'm still planning on rereading it. But... it wasn't as EL OH EL funny as WGP. Still screen-shotted a boat load of pages, however. 

· Are you there vodka, it's me Chelsea ·  READ IT! Like now! and while you are at it download....

· My Horizontal Life · You'll thank me later. The Chapter 'Shut up already' is absolutely hilarious. I read a lot of the chapters out loud to the coach while we were driving somewhere. He enjoyed them. You will too.

· The Fault In Our Stars · Let me be the first to say, I DID NOT want to like this book. After seeing the  previews for the movie, I was so upset. Tris and Caleb can not be in love. That's incest. And I may be from Lancaster County, but I do not support kissing cousins/siblings/the family pet. But, I caved and read the book. And I have to admit -- IT WAS AMAZING! It's a really short, quick read... I read it from cover to cover in 6 hours (it was a slow day). But, holy gracious, it is amazing. I didn't cry like Pinterest tells you you will. Okay, maybe I did a little. But instead of being really sad at the end, I smiled. The book is so wonderfully written. I know it sounds corny, but it is the most beautiful book I've ever read. I recommend it to everyone - young, old, Christian, Wiccan, in-love, pissed-at-life, everyone! I'm still working up the courage to see the movie. I know I will cry. And again, I really do not want to see Tris and Caleb kissing. It will just ruin everything. 

Currently reading....

· Is everyone hanging out without me? · I made the mistake of starting this after reading the Chelsea Handler books. Don't do that. Mindy isn't nearly as funny as Chelsea. At least I don't think so.

· City of Heavenly Fire - Mortal Instruments Series · So far, it is much like the 5 books before it... not bad enough to scrap it completely but not good enough that you can't put it down. I don't mind it... I'm making myself finish it because I feel obligated to complete the series. But it kind of sucks. Just saying. The writer should have stopped with the first one. I'm not really into supernatural stuff, though... Unless it's Harry Potter. I flipping love Harry Potter.

T.V. Series (God Bless netflix and my ADD)

· Orange is the new black ·  Thank you, Rebecca Hamilton, for recommending this show. HOLY COW IT'S AWESOME. Except for the whole lesbian thing. Contrary to my haircut, I'm not into girl on girl anything. But again, past that, both season 1 and 2 are freaking incredible. It makes prison look fun.... something tells me I'm going to regret putting that on the internet.... :/

· Pretty Little Liars · I know, I'm super late jumping on the PLL bandwagon. But I don't care. I have to have something playing when I edit pictures. It's just a thing. My previous boss/amazing friend/about to be the most gorgeous mommy ever, Blaine Fisher, can attest to that. It just helps your productivity. So when I started editing to Netflix, it suggested I watch PLL. I was skeptical. But now, I'm addicted. And the coach hates it. End of story. Oh - one last thing.... Ezra Fitz is freaking gorgeous. That is all.

· Ladies of London ·  LOVE. Better than RHOanything. Caroline Stanbury is the definition of perfection.

· RHOC · Shannon, you're crazy. Everyone needs to stop picking on Heather. She is amazing. Right up there with C_Stanbury. 

· FIFA World Cup ·  If the coach makes me watch one more game, I will cry. Unless David Beckham is still playing.... Is he still playing? Cuz, I'll watch the shizz out of that game. 

And on that note, the coach is calling for me to meet him at the school so we can go look at our potential new home (way more important than blogging (yay for being a grown-up! (insert eye roll))). 

PS- the coach and I are judging a show together on his birthday. Isn't that kind of awesome? #nerdstatus 

PPS- HAPPY BIRTHDAY MYKA BLISSARD!!!! Love you, girl!!!!

Until next time my faithful non-stalkers.

Kisses

-J

(because I am THAT obsessed)

2014 is looking pretty solid

Yeah, it's been a few weeks. But if you know me, then you know I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. So - let's go over 2014 thus far.

Went to the great old PA Farm Show... and got the flipping viral plague. Thought I was going to die. Thank God for z-packs. Like seriously. BUT Farm Show was pretty fun. It was wonderful seeing all my old friends and spending time with my family.

Then came Denver. National Western, once again, did not disappoint. From start to finish, I enjoyed it so much. Being back on the backdrop (and in the ring) for ShowChampions makes my heart so happy.
But there is one part of Denver I really just have to brag about... or be giddy about... or whatever.

I am SO INCREDIBLY PROUD and HAPPY and EXCITED for team #BlinnWin!!! Not only did they win the carload contest, but they also were the champion team in the normal contest (that sounds so weird), AND our dear little Cody Doubet was high individual. So so so excited for every single one of these amazing bucs. BUT! Special shout-out to Tagg Taylor for A)being Blinn's low drop in the carload contest - and placing 8th - and B)not peeing himself during the awards banquet. I almost decked him. For those of you who were at our table - you know why. But, no seriously, so happy for this dude! Brice and Joe should be extremely jazzed for their team!! 

Anyway- I know this great group is going to continue kicking butt and taking names at the rest of the contests this spring! Love my #BlinnWin babes :) They deserve all the success in the world. 

So now that I am back from NWSS, I have about a week to "chill"... which includes picturing/videoing calves for the 2014 Texas Reload Sale (website coming soon), finishing editing, doing a bridal session, and two AMAZING senior sessions ;) Sneak peeks will DEFINITELY be coming soon!!!

Oh - and for all my wonderful show babies headed to Fort Worth - GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!! I will see y'all down the road in San Antonio!!!!

***

I'm going to try to post more on this... but, then again, I say that literally each time I blog.

We'll see ;)

But for now, I leave you with a cow yelling at you. Enjoy .....

#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!!!!

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!)