My fiance's number did not come up in cow pie bingo...in case you were on the edge of your seat. We were not there but heard the cow was given an hour to do his business, and he didn't. So then they do a drawing for the winner. The winner was drawn, and then the cow pie arrived...probably on our number, knowing our luck...but I digress...
Country roads...some are gravel, some are blacktop, all look the same to this city girl. I have had a fear of getting lost since the day I first came to Josh's house a year and four months ago, and the fear remains even though I live here now. I see no rhyme or reason to the system yet, although Josh tells me there is and continiously shows me patience in trying to teach me. I take the same path all the time, it's safer and smarter than having to phone home and have my fiance say what are you near... and I would have to say... "corn"...
Country roads...they seems narrower to this city girl. I don't think they really are. What I have learned is that people just don't know how to share the road. So much so that I get nervous, as they are flying by at 60 miles per hour, and I am almost driving in the ditch to make room for them. That's the other thing - these individuals have driven on these roads for years so they know them like the back of their hand and just fly on by...not worried about me and my little Honda as I am nervously gripping the wheel (especially in the dark) and trying to keep up. But cut a girl some slack and share the road! It's made for two cars, two lanes. I have come to yell out loud in the car now "Share the Road Warren County" when a car flies by me, barely pausing to shift over to their side of the road. You can also sometimes hear an intake of breathe when I am a passenger and Josh is driving on these same country roads.
This past weekend, Josh and I went to a local river town nearby to go to the Farmer's Market. He had talked about this town previously and his friends would go "boat on the river". I have been through this town and have seen the river previously. I thought it was just a river, in a river town -- some river they boated on. Yeah...it's the Mississippi River...the big one... How was I to know? That "river" was in Hannibal, Missouri in my mind... and I'm a Dr...
We got to tour the grave of Norma Jean, an elephant who died in the 70s when the circus was in town. She was chained up near a tree while they prepared for the circus and was struck by lightning...and was just tipped over and cover in dirt, buried right in that spot. Too funny. Oh little town of Oquawka!
Finally, I have discovered this week that farmers are almost as bad, if not worse, than a women's knitting club. This is how conversations go that I overhear "Did you hear about the Henderson's? Oh yeah, their son got hurt when dealing with the corn in the auger. Eight stiches." or "That accident on the corner the other day, that was Tom. You know Tom, from the farm at the end of the gravel road. He was speeding and rear ended Ted's daughter, who just started driving." It's so interesting to me. Josh says they all just look out for each other -- in my little world, we call that gossip.
Country Livin'
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
How can a town of 9900 be so small???
Make that a town of 9901 - I moved here.
That isn't so small, is it? Not in comparison.
However, when your fiance and his family grew up here and are staples in the community - it's SMALL!
This is usually how it goes for me...
"Did you find a place to live?"
"Yes, my fiance and I moved out to the country, right outside of town. He grew up here."
"Oh really, what's his last name?"
Then typical responses are as follows:
"You are marrying JOSH Oaks?! He's so nice!"
"Is his mother's name Dorothy? (I say yes) You are going to be Dirt's (his mom's nickname) daughter in law!"
"The Oaks are such a nice family!"
Today someone said, "Josh Oaks...Ashley's brother?"
YES -- that's the one! It's never ending. Someone always knows Josh or his parents. At least they follow it up with how nice he is, how great of a guy he is, how happy they are for us, etc. He could be the town drunk, I suppose and people's reactions could be "Oh...I know Josh" or something. So count my lucky stars. This has led me to believe that this introvert may not get a lot of privacy in Monmouth, Illinois.
Josh's mom said soon everyone will know me -- and when I go around town they will simply say "Hi Mishelle" instead of saying "That is the future Mrs. Josh Oaks" (that wasn't made up by the way -- happened last week outside of the bank). We will see. I normally just like to fly under the radar... but I smile and I am attempting to be a good sport. Like I said, he's awesome so I am lucky!!!
Another thing -- everyone is SO happy that we are getting married, which is great. Really great. Appreciate it. Even those of you reading this blog - we feel your support every day! All these people I don't know in town, now know me, hug me, and tell me how much they are looking forward to our wedding. Here's the thing though, and I don't mean to offend anyone when I say this honestly, I am learning (we are learning), weddings are darn expensive...and when I say darn, I mean REALLY expensive. So, please love me and know this comes from my heart when I say that we are glad you are happy for us and thank you for your well wishes...but you may not make the list to look forward to our wedding. This goes for his Monmouth peeps and my friends surrounding the world. This has been hard to swallow but I am learning it is the bain of wedding planning -- so love us anyway... you just might have to experience it in pictures...
Final note of the week...the cows... this is what I learned...and when I say learned, imagine a shocked expression each time followed by a "Are you serious?" comment...
1. Cow Pie Bingo -- no joke. I did not see this first hand (and I think that is okay with me) but apparently it's a big bingo board and people pick numbers, placing bets, and then you wait for the cow to do his business. If he does it on your number, you win. People bet money on this!
2. Calf Tagging -- oh yes, I learned about this one this week when I was with my fiance at the festival planning meeting. This is his event. And when I inquired further -- all my brain processed was glue put on a cow (ouch!) and numbers put on the glue...then children chase the calf around trying to grab at the numbers to win a prize. And apparently the cow is not in pain or hurt during this process -- can barely feel it, Josh says. (How does he know?!). Josh asked if I wanted to put the glue on...
That isn't so small, is it? Not in comparison.
However, when your fiance and his family grew up here and are staples in the community - it's SMALL!
This is usually how it goes for me...
"Did you find a place to live?"
"Yes, my fiance and I moved out to the country, right outside of town. He grew up here."
"Oh really, what's his last name?"
Then typical responses are as follows:
"You are marrying JOSH Oaks?! He's so nice!"
"Is his mother's name Dorothy? (I say yes) You are going to be Dirt's (his mom's nickname) daughter in law!"
"The Oaks are such a nice family!"
Today someone said, "Josh Oaks...Ashley's brother?"
YES -- that's the one! It's never ending. Someone always knows Josh or his parents. At least they follow it up with how nice he is, how great of a guy he is, how happy they are for us, etc. He could be the town drunk, I suppose and people's reactions could be "Oh...I know Josh" or something. So count my lucky stars. This has led me to believe that this introvert may not get a lot of privacy in Monmouth, Illinois.
Josh's mom said soon everyone will know me -- and when I go around town they will simply say "Hi Mishelle" instead of saying "That is the future Mrs. Josh Oaks" (that wasn't made up by the way -- happened last week outside of the bank). We will see. I normally just like to fly under the radar... but I smile and I am attempting to be a good sport. Like I said, he's awesome so I am lucky!!!
Another thing -- everyone is SO happy that we are getting married, which is great. Really great. Appreciate it. Even those of you reading this blog - we feel your support every day! All these people I don't know in town, now know me, hug me, and tell me how much they are looking forward to our wedding. Here's the thing though, and I don't mean to offend anyone when I say this honestly, I am learning (we are learning), weddings are darn expensive...and when I say darn, I mean REALLY expensive. So, please love me and know this comes from my heart when I say that we are glad you are happy for us and thank you for your well wishes...but you may not make the list to look forward to our wedding. This goes for his Monmouth peeps and my friends surrounding the world. This has been hard to swallow but I am learning it is the bain of wedding planning -- so love us anyway... you just might have to experience it in pictures...
Final note of the week...the cows... this is what I learned...and when I say learned, imagine a shocked expression each time followed by a "Are you serious?" comment...
1. Cow Pie Bingo -- no joke. I did not see this first hand (and I think that is okay with me) but apparently it's a big bingo board and people pick numbers, placing bets, and then you wait for the cow to do his business. If he does it on your number, you win. People bet money on this!
2. Calf Tagging -- oh yes, I learned about this one this week when I was with my fiance at the festival planning meeting. This is his event. And when I inquired further -- all my brain processed was glue put on a cow (ouch!) and numbers put on the glue...then children chase the calf around trying to grab at the numbers to win a prize. And apparently the cow is not in pain or hurt during this process -- can barely feel it, Josh says. (How does he know?!). Josh asked if I wanted to put the glue on...
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Barn Crawl
Yes, you read it right...the barn crawl.
Let me define -- it's like a pub crawl but with barns. No joke. My fiance approached this invitation to me carefully -- knowing that I would be perplexed! But alas, we attended because "it was for cancer research" -- of course...that pulled me in hook, line, and sinker.
BIG barns, big farms, and over 400 people. Three barns -- travel from place to place in cattle trailers (they cleaned them out thankfully). I can't make this stuff up folks! It's interesting to bump around in a cattle trailer, packed with people, on the back country roads to get to the next barn, and then dump yourselves out to drink some beer, before heading to the next barn. You return to first barn to end the night.
We actually had a nice time. My only complaint is there is no where to sit. We stood for hours so it is tiring. Great event and very well planned. I have pictures and can post so you get the full effect.
Lots of beer, water, people, food, DJ, a bean bag tournament, and a silent auction. Oh and let me not forget the port-o-potties. (I was panicked as we were using them before we headed to the next barn and it would just be my country luck to be in one on the trailer with no one knowing and be in a moving port-o-potty).
Someone said we could do this type of set up for our wedding. Um...I'll add it to the list to consider, but only if we can get the cattle trailers! Ha!
We were a sponsor so Josh can drum up some business. I met more people than I could ever count but they will all know me because that is what happens around here. We have tshirts now (an orange one for those of you who remember I wanted an orange tshirt), and oh yeah, don't forget the koozies. (How do you even spell koozies?!). We needed two more -- because we already had approximately 38. But according to my fiance, whom I love dearly, "you can never have enough koozies". You can't? I believe you can. But this is coming from the woman who is trying to organize the kitchen and find a place for said 38 koozies.
Anyway, raised a lot of money and fun was had by all. Until next year, see you later Mr. Pig (oh yes, there was a pig in one of the barns...).
Let me define -- it's like a pub crawl but with barns. No joke. My fiance approached this invitation to me carefully -- knowing that I would be perplexed! But alas, we attended because "it was for cancer research" -- of course...that pulled me in hook, line, and sinker.
BIG barns, big farms, and over 400 people. Three barns -- travel from place to place in cattle trailers (they cleaned them out thankfully). I can't make this stuff up folks! It's interesting to bump around in a cattle trailer, packed with people, on the back country roads to get to the next barn, and then dump yourselves out to drink some beer, before heading to the next barn. You return to first barn to end the night.
We actually had a nice time. My only complaint is there is no where to sit. We stood for hours so it is tiring. Great event and very well planned. I have pictures and can post so you get the full effect.
Lots of beer, water, people, food, DJ, a bean bag tournament, and a silent auction. Oh and let me not forget the port-o-potties. (I was panicked as we were using them before we headed to the next barn and it would just be my country luck to be in one on the trailer with no one knowing and be in a moving port-o-potty).
Someone said we could do this type of set up for our wedding. Um...I'll add it to the list to consider, but only if we can get the cattle trailers! Ha!
We were a sponsor so Josh can drum up some business. I met more people than I could ever count but they will all know me because that is what happens around here. We have tshirts now (an orange one for those of you who remember I wanted an orange tshirt), and oh yeah, don't forget the koozies. (How do you even spell koozies?!). We needed two more -- because we already had approximately 38. But according to my fiance, whom I love dearly, "you can never have enough koozies". You can't? I believe you can. But this is coming from the woman who is trying to organize the kitchen and find a place for said 38 koozies.
Anyway, raised a lot of money and fun was had by all. Until next year, see you later Mr. Pig (oh yes, there was a pig in one of the barns...).
First Two Weeks in the Country
The first two weeks have been an adaptation. Lots of cleaning and trying to settle in. What I have experienced and learned about animals has been interesting...
1. Mouse traps -- all over the house -- "just in case" -- but don't worry Mishelle, no one has seen a mouse in years. I couldn't even touch the traps my first week -- last week I moved two on my own. Still creeps me out though.
2. Josh informs me, after I move here, that we have moles in the yard...moles?! What does a mole even look like? Like a ground hog or the Caddy Shack movie???
3. Walk out the front door -- smell the bacon, if you know what I mean -- from down the road...
4. The other night I heard a noise when Josh opened the window...what's that? (dare I ask) -- A raccoon. Awesome. In the tree, needing to be shot. Um...okay... let's not meet Rocky Raccoon.
Other things --
We drive 5 miles to the country from "town" -- a change for me if you "forget" something. We say, "we are going to fly to town" when we need something.
We track people on police scanners so we know what everyone is up to. An accident happened on our road the other day and everyone was checking on who it was. So different for me.
All in all, I am surviving (and we are happy so don't get the wrong idea) -- I personally did not burn our trash yet but watched it happen, and have been using well water (thank you laundry softner!). More adventures to come!!!
1. Mouse traps -- all over the house -- "just in case" -- but don't worry Mishelle, no one has seen a mouse in years. I couldn't even touch the traps my first week -- last week I moved two on my own. Still creeps me out though.
2. Josh informs me, after I move here, that we have moles in the yard...moles?! What does a mole even look like? Like a ground hog or the Caddy Shack movie???
3. Walk out the front door -- smell the bacon, if you know what I mean -- from down the road...
4. The other night I heard a noise when Josh opened the window...what's that? (dare I ask) -- A raccoon. Awesome. In the tree, needing to be shot. Um...okay... let's not meet Rocky Raccoon.
Other things --
We drive 5 miles to the country from "town" -- a change for me if you "forget" something. We say, "we are going to fly to town" when we need something.
We track people on police scanners so we know what everyone is up to. An accident happened on our road the other day and everyone was checking on who it was. So different for me.
All in all, I am surviving (and we are happy so don't get the wrong idea) -- I personally did not burn our trash yet but watched it happen, and have been using well water (thank you laundry softner!). More adventures to come!!!
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