25 Random Things

1. My sister and I are about to be given the world’s ugliest cat… not that there is such a thing as a pretty cat. LOL!
2. I have a very nice sister…(Erin helped me out with this one. :))
3. I share my birthday with my twin sister and oldest brother.
4. I like to crochet but knitting is another story. I started a simple scarf 13 years ago and still haven’t finished it.
5. I rarely use my cell phone and have never sent a text message.
6. I do not like bananas.
7. I cannot draw to save my life. I don’t do justice to stick people.
8. I’ve owned cattle, sheep, buffalo, and horses.
9. I love deep, rich colors. My least favourite color is yellow.
10. I’d rather drive a truck than a car. I really like Toyota Tundras. :)
11. I’ve worn glasses since I was seven and then contacts since 14.
12. My dream place is a log cabin nestled back in the mountains.
13. I’ve lived in three different houses but it was always on our property here. That is going to change soon though with us buying a farm in SK.
14. Whenever I make a scrapbook I always have one page that is a total dud.
15. I operated a certified organic market garden with my brother and sister for two years. We sold at two Farmer’s Markets and delivered vegetables twice a week to a few stores in Calgary.
16. Though I live in Canada I have more friends in the States.
17. I’ve been to the RCMP riding stables in ON. My uncle, who was the head of the Musical Ride for years, showed us around.
18. The past year or so I’ve started liking asparagus, mushrooms, and bacon. I still don’t like tomatoes though!
19. We spell our last name two different ways. One a for personal and double a for business. I really like the double a but it would be a hassle and expense to get all my personal id and documents changed.
20. I hate moths.
21. I rarely dream and if I do can’t remember five minutes later what even happened.
22. Boyds Bears are adorable!
23. I agree with Naomi on #23 of her Random Thing note.
24. I get cold easy. My winter boots are good until – 40 C but my feet start getting cold in them at -20C.
25. I like coffee and chocolate but don’t care for mochas.

Winter Pics

Stereotype Meme

British
[] You drink a lot of tea.
[] You know what a brolly is.
[] Deal or No Deal has taken over your life. (Hate that show!)
[] You wanted Ben to win X Factor.
[] You use the word "bugger" or the phrase "bloody hell."
[X] Fish and Chips are yummy.
[] You can eat a Full English Breakfast.
[] You dislike emos almost as much as you dislike chavs.
[] It's football...not soccer. (YES YES YES)
Total: 1

Australian
[] you wear flip flops all year.
[X] You call flip flops "thongs", not flip flops.
[X] You love a backyard Barbie.
[X] You know a Barbie is not a doll.
[X] You love the beach.
[] Sometimes you swear without realizing.
[] You're a sports fanatic.
[] You are tanned.
[] You're a bit of a bogan.
[X] You have an Australian something.
Total: 5

Italian
[] The Sopranos is a great show.
[] Your last name ends in a vowel.
[] Your grandmother makes her own sauces.
[] You know how a real meatball tastes.
[] You know Italian songs.
[] You have dark hair and dark eye color.
[] You speak some Italian.
[X] You are under 5'10"
[] You know what an Italian horn is.
[] Pizza/spaghetti is the best food in the world!
[X] You talk with your hands.
Total: 2

Spanish
[] You say member instead of Remember.
[] You speak Spanish or some.
[X] You like tacos.
[] YoU TyPe lIkE ThIs On Da CoMpUtEr.
[] You are dark skinned.
[] You know what a Puta is.
[X] You talk fast occasionally.
[] You have had highlights or have dyed your hair.
[] You know what platanos are.
Total: 2

Russian
[] You say villain as: Vee-lon.
[] You get short tempered.
[X] You know of somebody named Natasha.
[X] You get cold easily.
[] Rain is fun for you.
[] You get into contests all the time.
[X] You can easily make do with the cold weather.
Total: 3

Irish
[] You think beer is the best.
[] You have a bad temper.
[] Your last name starts with a Mc, Murph, O', Fitz or ends with a ley, on, un, an, in, ry, ly, y or L.
[] You have blue or green eyes.
[X] You like the colour green.
[] You have been to a St. Patty’s day party.
[] You have a family member from Ireland.
[] You have red hair.
[X] You have/had freckles.
[] Your family get-togethers always include drinking and singing.
Total: 2

African American
[] You say *****/***** casually.
[] You have nappy hair.
[] You like rap.
[X] You know how to shoot a gun.
[] You think President George Walker Bush is racist.
[X] You like chicken.
[X] You like watermelon.
[] You can dance.
[] You can 'sing' gospel.
Total: 3

Asian
[] You like rice a lot.
[] You are good at math.
[X] You have played the piano.
[] You have family from Asia.
[X] You laugh sometimes covering your mouth.
[] Most people think you're Chinese.
[] You call hurricanes typhoons.
[] You go to Baulko.
Total: 2

German
[X] You like bread.
[] You think German Chocolate is good.
[] You speak some German.
[] You know what Schnitzel is.
[X] You hate it when stupid people call you.
[] You went to Pre-school.
[X] You're over 5'2.
Total: 3

Canadian
[X] You like/play/played hockey.
[] You love beer.
[X] You say eh
[X] You know what poutine is.
[X] You speak some French.
[X] You love Tim Horton's.
[X] At one point you lived in a farm house.
[] You watch/watched Degrassi.
Total: 6

American[] You hate foreigners
[] You hate non - Christians
[] You're lazy.
[] You have had an abortion
[] But love the penalty.
[] You don't read.
[X] You shop at Wal-mart
[] You think this survey is rather biased.
Total: 1

Belgian:
[X] you grow some small vegetables in the yard.
[X] you like french fries.
[X] you think Belgian (or Hungarian) chocolate rules.
[] you know that the 'official best beer in the world' is Belgian.
[] you speak both Dutch and French
[X] you like Belgian waffles.
[] you call a pub or bar a café.
[] you fully realize and acknowledge that your football team stinks
[] you drive/own a French or German car.
[] you have a lot of comments on your government.
Total: 4

Dutch
[] you like the color orange.
[] you are a football enthusiast.
[] you often go to 'coffee shops'.
[] you know what is meant by 'coffee shops'.
[] you tend to overreact and show your emotions.
[X] you have a cheerful nature.
[X] you like the sea.
[] you are good at building/handwork/projects.
[] you tend to favor the megalomania.
Total: 2

An interesting and eventful New Year so far...

The start of the New Year has been active to say the least. Well, it actually first started on New Year's Eve.

My parents went to check my oldest brother's trailer(in our yard) since my brother and family had headed out to South Carolina. Some time after their departure the furnace quit resulting in the pipes freezing. After a visit from Lee's Plumbing and Heating (who found the problem to be with the igniter) and several heaters placed through the trailer, we were able to get things back to working order.

The 1st Erin started working for a dairy. Mom is trying to figure out how to get the dairy smell out of her work clothes. Usually a rinse cycle would be done first before the regular wash but our new washer doesn't have a rinse cycle. So, Mom read somewhere that Scope is supposed to help remove odors and has been applying it generously to any and every object which has been in contact with the dairy. I can't decide which is worse, the overpowering scent of Scope or dairy.

Late this morning when Erin got back, her jacket went into the washer immediately. Unfortunately after the wash was part way through, Erin remembered the cell phone was still in her inside pocket. Not a good feeling...Some situations you can hope for a good outcome but everyone knows how long a cell phone lasts doused in soap and water.

This evening my brother ended up getting his truck stuck in the snow. The gravel roads aren't in the greatest condition in some places with all the snow we've had coupled with the blustery winds. *Update* I just heard that Dad got stuck on his way over to help. So, it could be a looong night.

On a more cheeful note, a missionary from Norway called this evening wanting to stop by and visit with us the middle of this month. Last time they came through was almost 10 years ago so we are looking forward to visiting with them again.

Happy New Year

WALKING WITH GOD IN THE NEW YEAR

He does not lead me year by year,
Nor even day by day,
But step by step my path unfolds;
My Lord directs my way.

Tomorrow's plans I do not know,
I only know this minute:
But He will say, "This is the way,
By faith now walk ye in it."

And I am glad that it is so;
Today's enough to bear;
And when tomorrow comes, His grace
Shall far exceed its care.

What need to worry then, or fret?
The God who gave His Son
Holds all my moments in His hand
And gives them one by one.

-Selected

Winter pics at Graham's

SK pics

Our barn...I love it! I've liked hiproof barns for quite a while and was excited to see there was a nice red one with a newly refinished roof on the place we were interested in. There is something about a hiproof barn that makes a farmyard complete.

The loft

Old granary beside the barn

Grain bins

More grain bins...

Quonsets

The main house...there are two in the yard

Looking towards the farmyard

Saskatchewan prairie...

This is exciting as the landscape gets...LOL!

Grain storage on one of our furthest quarters

Of Moving and Saskatchewan...

I think every southern Albertan farmer has discussed at least once in their life about moving to Saskatchewan…the land of opportunity, especially if you are in the agriculture business. Though we are next door neighbours, there are many contrasts between the two provinces. The jokes about Saskatchewan being 50 years behind the rest of the country and the place you want to be known as from hold for a reason. Anyways, over the past several years there has been a small, steady migration of farmers over to Saskatchewan because of inexpensive land giving the chance to start a farm or expand present operations which otherwise would be unattainable in southern Alberta. We’ve talked several times about moving over there and, while most times it didn’t get past the talk, we were quite serious a few times. Last year with Saskatchewan land prices still very reasonable, commodity prices higher(where you can actually make farming pay), and selling some land here, we started looking eastward again. Again began the searching of Saskatchewan farmland section in the Western Producer, online farm realty sites, and a few trips out to check several places. Most places the guys had hesitations about for some reason or another but they finally found a place they could get excited about in central Saskatchewan about 6 hours from here. The process was more lengthy and deadlines were moved ahead several times as the farmer did everything through a lawyer because of family issues. Anyways, fast forward through all that, and we finally own a farm in Saskatchewan. I’m sure it will be fun of challenges, disappointments and everything else in between but we are optimistic about the new direction we are heading. We still own land in Alberta so probably only Graham will only be moving over for the time being. The possession date was Dec. 31st but since the previous owners haven’t found another place to purchase yet, they’ll be staying until March which actually works out good for both of us. Stefan and Dad will go over to help seed in the spring. The area is very similar to here and we are planning to use the same farming practices Graham has been using at his place with success. With Graham still owning his farm here and us having ours, I’m not sure how many of us will eventually end up in Saskatchewan. Our place would be a tougher sell but, if it is meant to happen, it will. For the time being we’ll keep discussing all our options and decide what direction we want to take our operations. There have been many minds buzzing with exciting ideas and there haven’t been many dull moments so it will be interesting to see what comes to pass. I’m looking forward to a change…

Hello

I've decided to start blogging over here. :D