It's A Mobile World

The other day these stats came across my inbox at work and not only do they impressive me, but they reaffirmed my belief that I am not alone.

I am not the only person attached to my cell phone.

Actually, I bet a fair percentage of you are actually reading this on your cell phone. Cell phones are changing our world...and the fun part, it's really the only world I ever knew. It's pretty exciting to me that I am part of a generation that gets to lead this rapid change in communication.

Prepare to be impressed. And prepare to want a smart phone! :)



Learn More about Mobile Tagging at Microsoft Tag.

No Friend Of Mine

Please tell me you know what HSUS stands for; if not, you should.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is not a humane society. It doesn't take care of cats and dogs and it has no intentions of sending its millions of fundraising dollars to your local pet shelter. Instead, they are working to abolish animal agriculture. And to connect the dots, animal agriculture amounts to the food you eat.

Missouri Farmers Care put together this video and you need to watch it. Sure, at times its a little dramatic, but the truth is, it's a serious subject. And then the next time you hear someone talking about donating to HSUS, tell them to think again.

Want to know more? Check out these BEEF Daily Blogs:

•  The Shameless HSUS Targeting Children Again

• HSUS Is PETA In A Business Suit

• HSUS Coming To Lobby At A State Near You

Until next time...

Jamie

Harry Hunters

(FYI: This post is long & probably not meant for guys.)

I need to start by admitting something, I have a secret crush on Prince Harry.

I always have and probably always will. Ever since I was little, I secretly dreamed about him coming to Randolph, MN; meeting me and then falling madly in love. I never quite decided if I was going to move to England or not though.

But then, I met Mark and decided he was as close to as a prince as I was going to get (gross, eww, stop being sappy) and gave up the dream.

Every once in while, when Mark isn't being so princely, I still think maybe one day I will run into the red-headed Prince. But, reality is...I most likely never will even see him from a distance, but hey, a girl can dream.

Recently though, I found there is this whole group of women that are doing a lot more than dreaming. Don't get me wrong, I think every women should be assertive, but more in the "I want to succeed in my job and life and I am going to do what it takes" kind of way rather than the "I am going to move to England, study the royal family's every move and try to marry Prince Harry" kind of way.

Woah. Have you started to think I am crazy yet? Are you thinking I am pulling your leg? Because I am not. There are "Harry Hunters." It's crazy.

So here's what happened. A couple of days ago, I found this story. Being a Prince Harry fan myself, I proceeded to tweet this, "IF I wasn't engaged and happily in love, I would be one of these girls, no doubt.#harryhunter #IsThatReallyAHashtag"

The replies I got back were hilarious and made my day. Given, I think one girl was just like me and wasn't at all serious about booking a flight, but some of them were there doing it.  And by doing it, I mean hunting Harry. One girl who replied was asked to be on a "Harry Hunter" show (she turned it down because she didn't want to be an arse) and her whole twitter feed is dedicated to Harry talk. Where he is, what he is wearing, what kind of kisser he would be.

I followed her for about 10 minutes, but my ag related Twitter feed that only really can handle Kim Kardashian and People Magazine gossip, just couldn't take it. It was just too much.

Still, I hope she finds Harry. I mean I give them credit. At least they have a plan, it just isn't too realistic. Especially, because one of them said she was engaged! I guess Plan B is better than a maybe never Plan A?

Oh, another reason he is a catch. Look he likes cows. ;)

By the way, some people like Prince Williams. Me? Not so much a fan. Kate can have him without a fight! Hope you enjoyed the new information. Follow #royalwatchers on Twitter if you want to know more! Hope you had a great weekend!

Adventure, Please

Life has hit a lull.

And unfortunately, I don't see anything exciting to spice it up in the near future.

It depresses me slightly. And I need to fix it. Soon.

Let me start this by saying, I should have known this was going to happen. In fact, for the last month I have been trying to mentally prepare for it, but clearly to no avail.

I am bored with life. Wedding plan is just not that exciting for me I guess?

Here is the problem, I need to go SOMEWHERE! Anywhere! My life has been this big old race for the last four years. I had a trip at least once a month, even if it was just back to Randolph, MN. But most of the time, it was on a plane or in a van or on a very long and extended car ride. And as much as I hated packing, I loved traveling.

Or I should say I love traveling and I need to go somewhere soon or I am going to go nuts.

So any advice? I have the next three weekend frees? I am thinking maybe Florida on April 9th? Sure, it's random, but it is somewhere warm for less than $200. I think I could do it.

Or does anyone know of a town Mark and I should go explore? Maybe in Wisconsin or Illinois or South Dakota? Maybe we should go see Mount Rushmore?

Part of me thinks I am crazy and some people might think that these places are not so exciting, but here's the truth, if I haven't ever been there, it could be an adventure. And realistically, you can't go to France for every vacation.

But I wouldn't mind going there for my honeymoon. (That's a very obvious hint to the man planning it.) 

So, I will let you know what I decide. But, if anyone at all has any ideas, please let me know. I need to plan something so I have something to get excited about, because this girl needs something more than just the weekend to look forward to.

They Are Finally Here!

Last Friday was like Christmas in my world! Why? We got our engagement pictures from Miss Hanna Voxland and the best part of all, they were fantastic!

I will give you a peak at our favorites, she sent over 200 photos, so we had a lot to choose from. 

 

But to be completely honest, the one I love the most is this one. I guess it really shows how much we love each other! :)

 

Like I said, we had so many to choose from and these aren't close to half of them! So how 'bout you help us out...which one is your favorite? I need to pick one for my Save the Date and one for the announcements and then the rest are just to enjoy!

And one last big thanks to Miss Hanna Voxland for doing such a great job. If anyone needs pictures done, she would do an excellent job. Just let me know and I will get you her information! :)

Part 3: A Country Girl's Wedding Registry

First of all, I am sorry. I am a terrible weekly updater, but I promise when I do make a post to my dream registry, it's going to be a good one and this week is absolutely no exception.

I ran across The Stone Junkie on Facebook during the holidays and I tried to make a purchase that day, but much to my dismay, it was too late notice for Christmas shopping. However, ever since then, I have made a point to check out their page at least once a week and I always find something I love.  The quality in these pieces look amazing and the creativity and design are second to none.

I have been lusting over the frames and crosses for months and I just need to bite the bullet and buy something, but I think it's going to be for a friend before me. I need a gorgeous house to hang something this fabulous in and that just isn't happening quite yet!

Regardless, someday I could totally see this cross being a fabulous decoration in my future red-accented kitchen.

 And this picture frame? Well, I think I have a few pictures that could work in one.

Don't be surprised if someone gets a package with a return address from The Stone Junkie some day soon, I can't resist it much longer and since I know I would absolutely love this present, I am sure one of my lucky friends will as well! Check out their site and their Facebook page. But watch out, you might not be able to resist either!

Rest In Peace

It's been a sad week in our little community. So many accidents, so many deaths and so many unnecessary heartbreaks. Too many people that were only my age said goodbye to life this week and it just isn't fair. Kids are supposed to out live their parents, not the other way around.

I have been saying a lot of extra prayers the past few days. Prayers for the families that are dealing with so much heartache, prayers for the friends that have to deal with the permanent empty space in their lives and prayers for communities who are mourning their loss. And I also have been saying a lot of prayers for the people who might be in the same situation somewhere else that we don't even know of.

I have been extremely lucky to never lose someone extremely close to me and I hope I never do. Sure, I know death is inevitable and one day everyone is going to die. I get that, but I sure hope they aren't 25 years old with a whole world left to live.

The families in Northfield, Kenyon and the surrounding areas that have faced such unnecessary hardship have been in my thoughts all week. I hope this is the end. I hope that from now on I read obituaries about 80-year-old grandpas that have already conquered the world.

And to each and every soul that was taken far too early this week, rest in peace.

Happy Ag Week!

A little late, but heck, we might as well stretch this out as long as possible?

In case you didn't know, it was National Ag Week last week. Of course, National Ag Week presents an awfully good time to celebrate National Ag Day, which this year was March 15th.

The Twitter community was absolutely awesome to be a part of on National Ag Day. Agvocates bombarded twitterverse with great and interesting ag facts that even I was in impressed with. So in doing my part to elongate the celebration, I have gathered a list of my favorites #AgDay facts. Make sure to memorize one or two and next time you have to share a random fact at a meeting or meet someone who doesn't know much about our industry, make sure your share!

And mark March 31st down on your calendar as Thank A Farmer Thursday. It's another great holiday you won't want to miss. Without farmers, you would be cold, naked, hungry and probably low on gas.

• There are now 29 USDA lean cuts of beef in contrast to only 7 in 1990.
• Each silk on an ear of corn produces one kernel. An ear of corn averages 800 kernels in 16 rows.
• More than 97 percent of beef cattle farms and ranches are classified as family farms.
•  There are more than 1 mil. beef producers in the U.S. who are responsible for more than 94 mil. head of cattle.  
• The U.S. supplies 25% of the world’s beef with 10% of the world’s cattle 
• Americans consume 17.3 bill quarts of popcorn/year!The average American eats about 68 quarts.
• One American farmer produces enough food to feed 155 people.
• Milk contains 9 essential nutrients including calcium, potassium, and vitamin D.
• Agricultural land provides habitat for 75 percent of the nation's wildlife.
• Today farmers grow 70% more corn with each pound of fertilizer than they did in 1970.
• Americans eat about 30 pounds of lettuce per year, about five times more than early 1900s
• Hamburgers from 1 steer would equal 720 1/4 lb. burgers, enough for a family of 4 to enjoy hamburgers each day for nearly 6 months.
• Almost 80 percent of the total land area in Texas is in some type of agricultural production.

Little Things Make Life Good

Today has been an absolutely fabulous day. 

So many things have just gone right and I am simply happy.

I love days like today.

Actually, I love weekends like this weekend.

I got to spend time with my sister and my future sister doing wedding things. I was able to hang out with my adorable niece. I got my CD of engagement pictures taken by Miss Hanna Voxland and they are excellent. I got to relax. I got to catch up with some of Randolph's finest. I hung out with my favorite little brother and caught up about life. I went to Church. I was surprised by Jason May with a classy dinner. We found a great couple to be our wedding photographers. Plus, I got to do all this with my fantastic fiance. And now, to top it off, I got the best message ever from my best friend.

I am so blessed. I have such great people in my life. And I am darn lucky.

And I hope the same for you.

Just Another Thursday

Well folks, it's just another Thursday in my life.

I was pretty stressed at work.

I am working some more at Carleton tonight.

I am trying to figure out a website, while trying to force myself to do MORE videos.

I am missing my friends Mary Berg and Caitlin Pearson.

I am sooooo ready for Friday. I am going in early so I can leave 30 minutes early and it is going to be absolutely glorious.

And now I will leave you with a quote from Chubs Pub & Packaging Place. They always motivate me every Friday to relax and have some fun.

"Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza."
-Dave Barry

 I plan on lots of pizza and beer this weekend! :)  I hope you enjoy some too!

Sneak Peak

We got our first sneak peak at our engagement pictures and I wanted to share just one of our favorites with you!  Miss Hanna Voxland is an excellent photographer!

Sacrifices

Today is the day that most Catholics vow to give something up.

No ice cream, no swearing, no pop, no girls scout cookies, no popcorn...the list goes on and on.

I have done it all in my day. In high school, I am almost completely kicked my obsession with Mountain Dew because of my Lenten sacrifice. And then of course, Easter came and went and I started right back up.

However, while it is fun to make public pledges to the world of what your giving up for Lent, I have decided that this Ash Wednesday I am not giving anything up. I am not giving up my weekly pop or sacrificing coffee. I am not going to stop bonding over a bag of popcorn with my little brother and I don't plan on wasting time trying to stop my every so often swear words.

Now, don't get me wrong, I strongly believe we should all make changes and be willing to make sacrifices during Lent. Jesus bore our sin and willingly sacrificed everything for us and it is the least we can do, but I have decided that instead of NOT doing something, I am going to DO something.

And while I admitted in this post that I am much better at achieving goals when the world is there to hold me accountable, this is one goal that will remain between me and the man upstairs. Hopefully, he will be one person I won't want to let down.

I hope you think carefully about what you are willing to sacrifice this Lenten season. Do something extra for the next 40 days or chose to cut something unhealthy from your life, but whatever it is, do it well. And yes, I know only Catholics give things up, but regardless of your religion, Lent is a great reason to reconnect with your faith.

Happy Ash Wednesday.

I Had A Bad Day

If I was a singer and was on American Idol, there would be my favorite James Blunt song playing in the background right now.

Man, did I have a bad day. I think you could safely call it the worst work day in my short history of working at BEEF (I have to be specific because there was some nasty day at B-Wangs). Anyway it was terrible.

I could go on for about 600 words (which – for a fun fact – is one full page in the publication world) about how rotten my day was. There was such terrible communication which made a tough job that was looking nasty even worse. Gosh, it was awful.

Okay, rant is over.

I can only be mad for so long and I don't have time to waste on being crabby and everyone is sick of listening. I had some good in this day that I need to focus on. I was able to get drinks with Katie and Alyssa, hang out with Avery May (who cutely exclaimed a new shirt was adorable!) and relax with my mother on the couch. Oh and while I relaxed I worked, because I am vowing that tomorrow will go better.

Every once in a while we all need to have a bad day in order to remember to appreciate the good. And I have a lot of good to be thankful for, including tommorrow.

P.S. It's International Women's Day? If you live in this world and are a lady, here is to you! :)

My Life Improving Starts Now.

Well, it's official. Once I publish this post, I have 1001 days to complete 101 goals.


I present 61-101 of the 101 in 1001 list. My life improving starts now :)

Finances
61. Consolidate my student loans.
62. Pay off half my student loans.
63. Put away 3 paychecks for emergency fund.
64. Save up all my change to cash in.
65. Pay off credit card for 5 months straight.

Smarts

66. Read 2 biographies.
67. Take Adobe class.
68. Take an art/craft class.
69. Read 5 new books.
70. Subscribe to US News Report.

Creativity
71. Design 3 websites.
72. Keep Purfeerst website updated.
73. Enter a photo in a contest.
74. Get 20 followers on this blog.
75. Blog 3 times per week for 6 weeks straight.
76. Make a quilt.
77. Perfect a joke.
78. Comment on 10 random blogs.
79. Try 5 new recipes.

Relationships
80. Tell someone that I love them everyday.
81. Make 5 new friends.
82. Send a care package.
83. Catch up with an old friend once a week  for 20 weeks.
84. Send flowers 3 times.
85. Send 15 birthday cards.

Doing Good
86. Donate hair to Locks of Love.
87. Donate blood.
88. Pay for someone's food in front of me.
89. Donate to Dakota County State Fair Auction fund.

Career
90. Get 4,000 fans on Facebook.
91. Publish 1 story/month for 12 months straight.
92. Join LPC and win an award.
93. Get a photo in BEEF.

Travel

94. Visit Megan in Montana, Lindsay in Maddock and Cassie in Texas.
95. Go to Vegas for NFR.
96. Watch spring training in Florida.
97. Go overseas with Mark.
98. Go to Boston.
99. Get 3 more stamps on my passport.

List
100. Give updates on my list twice a month.
101. Make a new list once I am done.

You can see 1-20 here and 21-59 here.

TGIF

Dear Lord,

Thank you for giving me a whole weekend with no serious plans. Thank you for letting my survive this week. Thank you for blessing me with the people in my life and for giving me the things that I have. Thank you for letting Alyssa come home for spring break. Thank you for only making me fill up with gas once this week. Thank you for teaching me that only one space is needed between sentences. And a special thanks for giving me my dad, who gave me new windshield wipers. And a last minute addition, thank you for letting my mom join Twitter. :)

But most of all, thank goodness for giving us Friday.

Love,

Me

The List Continues.

It's time to get serious about this list, so here is 21-60. :)

Health

21. Run a 5k.
22. Work out 2 times per week for 10 weeks.
23. Stop drinking pop.
24. Get my ears fixed.
25. Lose 7 pounds.
26.Golf 9 holes.
27. Join a gym.
28. Drink 4 glasses of water/day for 20 days straight.
29. Rollarblade down the Cannon Trail.
30. Keep room clean for 2 weeks straight. Twice.

Things to Own

31. Purchase Adobe Creative Suites.
32. Buy a business suit I love and feel powerful in.
33. Own the complete Sex & The City series.
34. Buy a car that I trust in the winter.
35. Own a new DSLR camera.
36. Splurge on another pair of Sperry's...or two. :)
37. Resole my boots and then buy a new pair.
38. Own my own sewing machine.

Things To Do

39. Watch 3 classic movies I have never seen.
40. Sleep in a tent.
41. Visit a museum in Minnesota, another state and another country.
42. Tip someone 100%.
43. Go to the Renaissance Festival.
44. Plant a garden.
45. Visit 3 local winemakers.
46. Do the Old Chicago Beer Tour (or at least two mini-tours).
47. Eat dinner at 5 new restaurants.
48. Attend a live taping of a show.
49. Send 8 emails/cards/notes to my France family.
50. Support a political candidate I believe in.

Things To Learn

51. Learn how to swim.
52. Learn one new word for 365 days.
53. Learn how to shoot a gun.
54. Attempt to ski. :)
55. Learn how to play pinochle.
56. Perfect 3 songs on the piano.
57. Learn basic French.
58. Make a Kate Ries bag...actually, make two.

Spiritual

59. Go to Church 2 times per month.
60. Pray with God everyday.

See 1-20 here and 61-101 here.