Show Cattle

Again, something I should've written about long, long ago- seeing as how this little adventure started last April.

Scott has had the opportunity to get back into one of his favorite hobbies this past year. He showed cattle in high school and college, taught a lab that required students to show at TAMU, judged cattle, and has helped his sister and other kids show at our county show. Last April, he decided he wanted to start showing in the major shows in the open division. So he bought a bred red and white registered Holstein heifer named Abry:

 We started working with Abry and two other heifers about the middle of August breaking and training them to lead in a show ring. The black and white Holstein is named Sully and the most beautiful Brown Swiss heifer you ever did see named Jane (named after his owner's wife, long story on that one).

Scott went to Lubbock for the South Plains Fair in September and to Dallas for the State Fair of Texas in October. I didn't get to go to either show because of work but got to drive through traffic to the State Fair (no fun) the afternoon following the show and spend the night to help him load our on Sunday. He placed okay at both places with Jane, but as it turns out, our Holsteins are much to short to compete in the show ring. Oh well. The main thing is that Scott got to do something related to dairying that he actually finds fun and enjoys.

Then starting in November, we started helping a few kids in the community learn how to show some of our cattle for the county show. Journey Page showed a class 4 and a class 3 heifer, and Bailey Anderson and Calli Melton each showed a class 4 heifer. Journey placed 1st with his class 3 and 2nd with his class 4 so he made the championship round but not the sale. All in all, the kids enjoyed themselves and Scott got to spend a little time away from the dairy.

Sassy &Calli, Molly & Journey, Cali & Bailey

Christmas Jammies

Forgot to write about this:

My very favorite Christmas tradition is that we have always gotten PJs on Christmas Eve. I think that was Mom's way of circumventing the inevitable desire to open presents early. Grandma Harrington sent them to us for a long time, but in recent years because of her health, Mom has been in charge.

Since Scott and I have been together, he's gotten to take part in this most fabulous traditon and last year he got to be responsible for my jammies. Now, bear in mind that at that point we were still newlyweds and I thought that would be an excellent chance for him to get me something... slinky. Nope. I got cotton PJ pants and a t-shirt, which I actually do love and wear a lot. So he did a great job, just not what I was expecting.

This year, we were going to be at my parents house, so the rules were it had to be something I could wear in front of them. Also, he was warned that if he forgot them I would be opening presents naked and that might be embarrassing for all parties involved. First of all, when we were leaving to go to Lamesa, he nearly forgot them. Then he had bought the wrong size and I had to borrow some PJs from my mother.

What's really sad and super sweet is that he was so excited and knew exactly what he wanted to get me: men's style button up PJs that were slinky with a pink and black pin-stripe. He said he thought they'd be sexy and socially/parentally acceptable all at the same time. He was so so so super disappointed that he bought the wrong size (and erred on the small side, 2 points for him) because he knew how important the PJs are to me and how excited I get about them. I exchanged them easily and it wasn't a big deal, but what was sweet was that he completely took it to heart and felt like he let me down. What a great guy!!

Christmas 2010

Yep, over a month later:

Due to the current stressful situations at the dairy (another post, another day), neither Scott nor I were able to get into the Christmas spirit. I got all of my decorating, shopping and planning done really early in the month. None of the presents I got anyone required any thought, I wasn't really excited to see anyone open their presents, just nothing felt special. Scott and I both got each other boots and bought them in front of each other- no surprize there.

Then there was a big to-do about where and when we would actually spend Christmas. We almost spent Christmas apart, which comes from two strong-willed individuals trying to work out a difficult situation. Technically, it was my family's turn. If we stayed at the diary, I wouldn't see Scott most of the day because it would be just another day, work as usual, and I would basically spend Christmas alone. Also, all of our plans would have revolved around the other recently married couple because their plans aren't ever flexible. What we really wanted to do was just go away somewhere and spend some time together, without work and without the dairy. Long story short, we went to Lamesa on Christmas Eve (didn't leave until after 3 because some cows got out) and came back on the 26th to have open presents with his family.

To add to the endless excitement, I had a nasty stomach bug that kept me from enjoying much of my mother's cooking. I even missed work the next day and lost several pounds. Scott didn't get sick but Kent (step-dad) did and blamed it on me (not super positive it was my fault, the incubation period wasn't right).

The best thing about Christmas this year was getting Scott away from the dairy. He got to sleep in, took two naps, opened presents and ate breakfast in his PJs and got to have a normal day with no work. And I got to spend the whole day with him, which is probably the best gift we could have received.

I'm not sure where we will spend Christmas next year, mostly because I don't know where we will be living. But I do know that because it is on a Sunday, we will be worshipping together and I hope that we don't have to travel anywhere.