That Four Letter "F" Word

The four letter F word... Now I'm sure you can imagine what kind of possibilities there are...  But the four letter F word that I'm talking about is FAIR! This week starts my second week of Sonoma County Fair and the week of Redwood Empire Fair. 

I've spent the last couple of days reflecting on my fair experiences and how they impacted my life, as I do every year. To say I love fairs would be an understatement. But growing up they weren't necessarily all warm, fuzzy, rainbows and unicorns. There were definite ups and downs to every fair. 

I can vividly remember one year getting a nosebleed almost every day because temperatures reached 110 or higher. I can also remember hating wearing my uniform (jeans and long sleeves) and one of my leaders holding me down to put a belt on me... By the way I still hate belts! I can also remember never winning grand champion with my market animal. And always losing round-robin to my friend Miranda (every flippin time! She beat me at everything). There were even a couple instances where parents had mental breakdowns before the kids... These all helped make my fair experience, shall we say colorful? 

But those few weird and unfortunate events, never seem to trump the amazing family and successful experiences that we had together. Especially our camp time! Now some of you may know, but I actually lived in the town that our fair is held but I still camped in a trailer with my 4-H club every year. Because what is better than getting up at 5:30am and just walking to the barn with the wheelbarrow and a pitchfork?  Or sitting up late in a circle in the middle of camp, laughing about the events of the day and almost peeing our pants from so much giggling. My favorite was one year after our large Saturday night barbecue in camp with fresh oysters and everything, we took over the fire lane so that we could perform skits! 

I may not have ever won grand champion market hog but I won champion with all my breeding stock that I ever showed. I also was one of those kids that had a million fair exhibits in the still exhibits with multiple best of shows each year (my table settings were bomb.com). 

Most importantly while being involved in 4-H, FFA and attending fairs every year I gained that some of the best friendships! I made lifelong friends when I was eight years old by going to the fairs and working with people in the barns. Some of my favorite people, I met there. People from Willits, Laytonville, Hopland, Potter Valley and even Fort Bragg became family. 

I think that's why fairs are such an important part of my upbringing but also created such an impact on my life. It wasn't about the grand champion ribbons, it wasn't about the uniform... It was about the learning experience, the fun times in camp and the friends you make along the way. 

I like to win just as much as anyone... But I think people sometimes get lost in the winning and forget about the important aspects of fairs-- the people. Those friendships are invaluable, long after the ribbons and banners are faded or torn, the friendships are still there. 

2000

Deidre and I could laugh together all dang day... John and Jordan were never impressed. 

Scotty and I before the auction... French braids were in I swear!

Who takes an old, washed up team roping horse in a halter class?? This girl! 

Miranda and I our last fair... She beat me at everything... She was even born 4 days before me! But I love this girl! 

Sam! My leader, mentor, business partner, big brother, chaperone and friend!! Thank you for putting up with me for all those years. 

Water your own grass!

This is post is literally about something that I have no experience with. But that's never stopped me from having an opinion so here goes...

A few days ago, I saw a picture of a high school friend with another friend. Now, I must not pay enough attention to facebook because I was under the impression these people were married... To other people! So I texted my best friend and she informed they were both divorced now.

What the heck is wrong with people?! How have people become so accustomed to divorce? What happened to vows and all that crap?! Now, I'm definitely not the first to join the marriage bus, because I think people forget that it is partially a business deal (disagree if you want). But I also believe that when you get married, you have to work at it. Right?! It's not easy, it's not for the party, it's not to appease people nor should it be something that is a quick decision.

My unfiltered opinion is that technology has helped ruin the sanctity of marriage-- not in the way you may think. I also believe that parents help mold their children into the type of spouses they will become (stick with me...).

My generation (okay like 35-18 years old) has been ultimately spoiled rotten with new inventions, new technology and the luxury of instant information. This, in my opinion, has been to our demise. Where on earth would people learn about "sticking with" something in our age of instant information and new gadgets?

"Oh, your cell phone has a cracked screen? That's okay we will go get you a new one, even if we don't really have the money for it"
WHAT?!?
Why on earth would you buy a new phone for someone who didn't take care of it in the first place???

I feel this type of attitude has trickled into marriages. If something is broke-- that's okay, get a new one! Uhhhhhh no! You work to fix it. And you start in the beginning by taking care of it.
So many people my age rush into marriage. Not knowing enough about the other person, whether it's handling conflict, raising kids, career changes, dealing with deaths, or even just getting through holidays is where it starts. Then two years later they wonder why they are unhappy, don't have anything in common and start looking other places for love and attention.

Parents have such an impact on their children and I think marriage is one of the areas they spend the least amount of time talking about. Parents who indulge their children "just because", are not helping. You are creating future adults who are too spoiled to share, discuss difference of opinions or even some who refuse to be content with what they have. Creating people who always ask "What if..." or those who always are looking for more, better or bigger. To be real with you, you are creating a$$holes, just stop already... Teach your children to take care of what they have, save up for new stuff and create some appreciation.

Now, I'm not saying all marriages are doomed or any crazy shiz like that... I do believe that people sometimes just make it work... LIKE THEY SHOULD! But it takes work, time, effort, compromise, compassion and nurturing.

 I know there are always some extenuating circumstances for people to get divorced and I totes get that. But if more people spent as much time and effort into being married as they do working, eating, tweeting, crafting, facebooking, shopping, watching TV, reading, exercising, sleeping or whatever else, there would be far fewer divorces.

Just my 2 cents... Okay maybe fiddy cents.

For every marriage... Take some time to water your own grass

I try not to be negative but occasionally this pops into my head... People-- stop rushing it!! 

Summer Excursions

I just got back from our chapter officer retreat... For those of you that don't know what that is it's a FFA officer planning trip -- simply a couple of days where they do teambuilding, plan the upcoming year and learn more about each other so that they can work as a more effective team. 

It's the first time that a newly elected officer team, really has the ability to sit and work out the culture of the chapter, how they are going to manage the leadership team and become what I call our "FFAmily". Fortunately this year I was able to work with two other advisors to create an officer retreat for all three of our chapter officer groups. 

This was without a doubt the best idea! We were able to delegate some of the operations and leadership activities that were conducted during the retreat and have our students build new friendships with members in other chapters. Not to mention it was really nice to be able to build our teamwork activities into little competitions between the chapters. Also we broke them up into separate groups, not with their chapter, to conduct other business. Because there were three chapters we were able to bring in outside facilitators for a few workshops on a wide range of topics to help our kids get more information, more experience and gain more skills. 

This retreat reminded me of why I am so lucky to be in such a great profession. Working with other advisors in our section to create something that not only helps us, but really provides a unique experience for the kids. I just read an article on Facebook, ya know one of those trending ones that people share?? It was all about how as a student going through your teacher credential program you never are told about this baby secret, that there's never enough. 

Never enough time. 

Never enough work completed.

Never enough feedback. 

Never enough support. 

Never enough one on one. 

Never enough assignments. 

Never enough checks for understanding. 

No matter how good you are, how great you are in the classroom or outside, even though you may work your tail off there still is never enough being done. And I wholeheartedly agree that no matter what I do, it's still never going to be enough to appease my brain (and some parents). So it was really nice to work with other advisors and chapters to help us all get closer to making the experience for our kids more than enough. 

Although Ag teachers are told all the time to be careful, for fear of burnout (which I can totally understand). I sometimes feel like it's more important to give everything I have, to the kids I have right now. Because right now I can give them all my focus and time and energy. I might not be able to do that forever (let's be real-- it won't last forever) but I don't really want to pace myself. I feel like if I do, I will constantly think that I'm not doing enough, because I know in my mind I can do more. 

Thank you Grant, Felicia and Linsey for helping me do more for my kids!  

Speaking of more... Off to State Fair to watch kiddos! 

First Day! 

Planning time! 

Setting goals...

Team Building... A little competition never hurt nobody! Haha

Ready to head home...