What Kind Of Person Are You?

My husband might think I am crazy, but I will readily admit that I read about 5-10 blogs a day.

Some of them make me laugh, some of them I wish I wouldn't waste my time reading, a lot of them make me wish I had a perfect house and owned a Silhouette Cameo so I could craft away my life and most of them feel like they were written by my friends.

And, every once in a while there is an inspirational blog though that makes me stop and think. A post that makes me want to become a better person.

Those are the posts that make my time spent mulling over blogs completely worth it.

Yesterday's post by Emily Jones on Jones Design Company was one of those.

I don't know how or when I first stumbled upon Emily's posts, but I ended up following because of her gorgeous design work. We have the same classic style and I would love to one day create something as simple and beautiful as she has. I don't read every email that comes in my inbox from her, but something about yesterday's caught my eye.

Her question was valid and I had a hard time finding a really good answer. Probably, because I found it challenging to limit my answer to just a few things. I want to be so many things, but when that happens I often have trouble succeeding at just one. And unfortunately, my list is full of too many nouns, and not enough adjectives.

I am going to spend the next few days mulling this over. What is mine & Mark's motto? What do we want to be remembered as? What do we want people to say about us over the dinner table? When we have kids, what values are we going to make the most important in our family? What two or three words describe us?

And then, when I find an answer I am printing it out and hanging it on my bulletin board. Life is too short to not start becoming the person you want to be now.

I am also a realist and I know that I will not and can not succeed at making every person love me. It's simply not possible. But I can convince those people to respect me for the life I lead, even thought they don't agree with me. And, more importantly, I can succeed at creating lasting relationships with the people who are important to me.

Hopefully, the answer to this question slips off the tip of your tongue!

Have a great weekend!

3.2 Miles

Here's a little secret about me...I don't really work out.

I am one of those tiny little people who somehow got blessed with a super high metabolism.

But...I am now 23. And that super high metabolism is slowly disappearing.

And unfortunately, I am an exercise novice. For 22 years of my life, I didn't have to workout, so I didn't. To give myself a little credit, about twice a year, I convince myself I need to get in shape and I then go to the gym twice. And for the other 361 days of the year, I  convince myself that walking fast will keep me skinny. (I promise I can speedwalk with the best of them.)

But there is this little bug in my ear that always reminds me....while I may still wear the same size pants as high school and I have almost successfully cut chips & dip and Oreos out of my diet...I still am not in shape.

So with that little nugget weighing down on me, I decided I should run a 5k. (It is one of my 101 in a 1001 goals after all!) So first, I convinced my best friend to run it with me. And then I paid my $33 entry fee. And best of all, I convinced my husband that if I ran it I got to buy myself a little present for motivation.

And then after I did all that, I realized I really stink at running.

Like really, really stink at it.

More like I didn't think I could physically run.

In fact, it took me one month to build up to .5 miles in a row. Yes, you are reading that right. .5 miles.

And then last weekend, something big happened. I convinced my husband to go on a run/walk with me and he taught me a little secret. (I desperately want to stop calling it a run/walk, but I also refuse to lie to myself.)

I guess I have been doing it all wrong. I assumed that running was running. That I should run the only way I've ever run -- fast. 

You see, I have only ran around bases on a softball diamond or up in down the gym doing killers during basketball practice. I never have run for pleasure and so I ran cheek to cheek (who knows what I am talking about?) just as fast as I could just like I have always done. And, as a result, I couldn't go more than a half a mile without nearly dying.

Then my husband taught me to jog. 

Do you know I can run almost 2 miles IN A ROW when I jog? I am not kidding you. It's amazing.

I know I'm a long way way from 3.2 miles one month from now, but folks it's a start. And I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

luckily this is on my path. it's some beautiful motivation.

The 5k is a month away from today. I am being realistic and I don't know if I will be able to get to 3.2 in the next 30 days, but it feels good to actually be working towards a goal and knowing that I am relying on something more than speedwalking to stay skinny. :)

So, if anyone has an advice for a running newbie like me, feel free to share. Honestly, I am not following a program. Is it a must? I am using iMapMyRun and I really like it so far. Any other must have apps? And any great song suggestions to download. I love good motivation!

P.S. Just to let you know how big of a dork my husband is: On our Sunday run, he wore he old tennies and long, thick green dress socks. WHAT?!? 

And for some reason I still love him. <3 

Hopefully that mental picture holds you over until next time,

Another 101 in 1001 Update

Was it really almost a year ago that I made my 101 in 1001 goals? That means I have a little over two years left and a lot to accomplish. However, I have got a lot of things to cross off my list...starting with the big numero uno.

1. Get married. (You have to start with something easy.) | Check!

I was so nervous we wouldn't fit everyone in my little church. God must have heard my prayers, because we did!

love him.

We couldn't have asked for a better day and in the 2+ months since the wedding, we've had a fun time getting to know each other even better. You think you can know a guy after six year, but I promise living together is an adventure all itself. Most days I love it. :)

4. Go see a musical/play. | Jersey Boys in May

5. Go to a comedy club. | Just this Friday, we went with six of our friends to Dave Mordal at Gopher Hills and we loved him. Definitely doing this again!

12. Own my own heifer. | This is a blog post in itself and will be someday. But for the sake of crossing it off the list, yes, I own my own heifer. I like to call her Star...everyone else calls her Scarface. I am well on my way to accomplishing #20.

star with Mark & I in Valley City, ND

 14. Coach a 4-Her to the top 10 in state judging. | In August, our kids were the Minnesota Champion Junior 4-H Livestock Judging Team and not only did we an individual in the Top 10, we got one to the very top. We were so proud of our team for sweeping all three species and reasons and now we have a lot to live up to for the next 5 years (they were all only 6th graders!). And Matty Matt was 6th in the Senior contest, so we can successfully cross that one of the list!

28. Drink 4 glasses of water/day for 20 days straight. | Leading up to the wedding, I might have been drinking 12 glasses a day. Once I stopped worrying about bloating, breaking out from stress or gaining too much weight to fit into my dress...I knocked it down to 4 or so a day. Good thing my office is close to the lunch room!

34. Buy a car that I trust in the winter.|My trusty Altima has played a few tricks on me so far this winter, but nothing serious. So far, she is a keeper.

38. Own my own sewing machine.| Thanks to my dear aunt Kate who was SICK of "helping" me with sewing projects, I am now a sewing machine owner and I officially made my own pillows.  I don't know who's happier -- me or Ann May. I think she was getting sick of my craft nights with Alyssa. :)

simple way to jazz up our bed.

And that's where we stop...for now. Updates on 39+ will happen next post. I can't jam all the excitement into one blog, I need to spread the wealth! :)

Peace,

Jamie Lynn

My Promise To You

It's a big one, get excited.

A few months back, Mark told me my blog needed a facelift. I told him he was nuts. Compared to some, I thought it was easy to read, was color cordinated and organized. What more did I need?

Fast forward to today and I completely agree.

Cows, Corn & Country Girls needs an update. I need new colors, a new header and a new layout. I need to freshen things up. I have embraced the sunflowers and earthy colors for over a year and some 100 blog posts (can you believe it?) and while it has served me well, I need a change.

So prepare yourself. By July 1 (remember, I like to set deadlines) Cows, Corn & Country Girls will have a brand new, better than ever, your gonna love it look.

Are you excited? If you have any suggestions, feel free to share. I like advice and I might need it!

And really, are you wondering if I have time for this? Yeah, I am wondering too. But I will get it done...somehow. :)

3 in 30 | May

Happy May! 

You might not know this, but May is my month! It's when good things tend to happen in my life - it's my birthday month, my last name month and hopefully finally when spring comes. I am definitely looking forward to productivity, fun and sunshine. And with May, comes another 3 in 30.

Goal 1: Buy a car. 

I can't put it off any longer. The Alero needs to go. Thanks for all of your comments on my recent blog about car shopping; they all were so helpful! I am actually now leaning towards a Camry, everyone had good reviews. I am hoping that by June 1 I am a new (or newer than what I have) car owner, regardless of how stressful it is.

Goal 2: Exercise everyday.
I like my gym, but this month I am expanding my limits and goals. I want to exercise everyday, but it doesn't have to be in the gym or watching a video, it can be a walk during lunch, a bike ride at night or an ab workout before bed, but regardless, I need to do some physical activity everyday. Summer is coming, I need to not only get in shape...but get outside and enjoy some sun!

Goal 3: Stop drinking pop.
Oofta, that was hard to type. Mountain Dew, our relationship is over. No pop all month. Hopefully, if I can kick it for a month, I can kick it forever. Water, juice, tea, milk, coffee, beer...there is a lot of things to replace pop with right? (Note: I am not counting drinks as pop, that just has to happen sometimes!)

Just in case you were wondering, my April 3 in 30 was pretty close to a success story. If I had to grade it, I would give it a solid B, which means I definitely have room for improvement.

Goal 1: Snap Fitness 3X/week.
Well, I didn't regularly make a 3 a week. But at least once or twice. And, I am making it to my mission to make it 5 days this week, a good start in May will help balance out bad days near the end.

Goal 2: Make a Kate Ries bag.
Well, I realized I am no Kate Ries, but I did manage to complete one bag. It's not perfect, but it is a good start. I have two more to make and at least now I know what not to do. Next bag, I will take some pictures and show you how to get a little creative yourself!

Goal 3: Attack my wedding list.
This is where I get my first F of my life. May has to be better or simply you all aren't gonna be happy come November 5. I did make a list though, so hopefully that will help and this week I have two appointments set up. It's a start.

101 in 1001 Update

I am in a blogging rut, so I am going to stick to something basic today.

But no less important. It is time for a 101 in 1001 in update, and while the progress may seem slow...why finish everything in the first 101 days? I have a long time to go!

However, I have successfully completed a few things.

Sushi Date: Complete 

Three weeks ago I went out for a sushi date with Mark, his sister, and her boyfriend. Yum. We went to a nice place called Wasabi Fusion in the Twin Cities and it was delicious. Marko...not to much of a fan, but he choked it down. I however may become a regular consumer. :)

Join a Gym: Complete
I am officially a member of Snap Fitness, who is dutifully taking a monthly membership fee from me so I am guilted into going to the gym a least a few times a week. About a month into it, I am still a fan, but have kind stunk at going this last week, but lucky for me I usually get to hang out with Jillian Micheal when I skip my lunch workout. It's a win-win...or a lose-lose.

Go to Church 2X a Month: Complete
Well, it's complete so far. It's not done yet. I have a lot of months left, but I am really happy with the pattern I have going. I have been to Church every weekend since Lent started and I really enjoy it, I usually split the time between my Church and Mark's. I am hoping my good streak continues, except I know this weekend will be just too busy to make it with MJSC, but I will be attending the Cowboy Church service so I am thinking that counts.

Plus, I have been keeping to my goals of catching up with a friend once a week (Megan Gibbs (I know you have a new last name) you are next on my list of catch ups), wrote an email to my France family, sent a dear friend a "you can make it through this stupid college crap" care package and of course, I have been working at planning a wedding.
So far so good right?!?

Have a good week! I am glad we all survived Monday! :)

April = Productivity

I have to kick April in the butt. And it needs to start today.

So I am going to utilize a helpful tool that has been quickly spreading across the blogger world...3 in 30.

Set 3 goals for yourself & accomplish them in the next 30 days or else.

No, I am kidding there is no or else...but I think it will help me with me 101 in 1001 (which I need to update you on soon) so I am giving it a try.
Goal 1: Use my Snap Fitness membership 3x each week. I got to kick this slacking fitness routine. I have been doing so much better, but I need to get much more consistent. So Snap...me and you better get to be good friends! Plus, I have an awesome workout video to do the other days. But, for some reason I don't think Jillian and I are ever going to be friends.

Goal 2: Make my Kate Ries bags. I have some long overdue Christmas gifts to make. And I need to get crafty. I am missing it. I am thinking this week I will make one. Can't wait to show you the final product!

Goal 3: Attack my wedding list. It is depressingly long and it needs to get much much shorter. Ahh...who knew this was so much fun?!?!? This week I am going to knock a lot of thing out hopefully. Watch for a blog about it soon!

I will make sure to give you an update at the month. Hope you have a productive April as well & enjoy the beautiful weather! Happy Monday! :)

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

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.

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.

101 in 1001- The List

Let me yell it off the rooftop--I HAVE A LIST!

However, I need to pack my clothes for a cattle show and I really don't want to type all 101 goals...so, you are getting only ten. Sorry, but I have to take this slow.

So I present you, 10 of 101 in 1001. :)

Relationship

1. Get married. (You have to start with something easy.)

2. Have a dinner date party with couple friends.

3. Take dancing lessons as a couple.
4. Go see a musical/play.
5. Go to a comedy club.
6. Surprise Mark with breakfast five times.
7. Spend a whole weekend lounging in bed.
8. Take a anniversary trip.
9. Call Mark every morning on my way to work for two weeks straight.
10. Go on a sushi date.

Well, I have time and you might be curious, so I guess I will do 20 of 101 in 1001, too.

Livestock
11. Take cattle to Louisville.
12. Own my own heifer.
13. Donate to the NDSU Judging Club.
14. Coach a 4-Her to the top 10 in state judging.
15. Become a member of the Young Producer Council.
16. Become a member of a breed association.
17. Judge five shows.
18. Respond to five articles related to the beef industry.
19. Write three agvocate blogs per month for 5 months.
20. Make all the breeding decisions on my own heifer...and get a calf. (I better get a move on #12.)

But that is it, no more! I am going to pack! Have a great weekend! I will be washing cattle, blowing cattle, fitting cattle and probably enjoying some cold drinks with friends! Can't wait!

See 21-59 here and 60-101.

Dreams and Goals

I am the type of person that needs to proclaim my goals from the rooftop for the whole world to hear...because if not, I never do them.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am a pretty motivated person, but if I am the only person counting on myself, I will easily let myself down.

So I making a list, checking it twice and writing it on this blog.

I don't quite know what it is going to pertain and how it is going to look. I am debating between a 101 in 1001 list or just a simple list of 10 things I need to do. I am leaning towards the 101 in 1001...

So, my first goal is to decide on 101 goals this week and post it on this blog next week.

So, it's up to you to hold me accountable, I can not let myself down and now, I can't let you down either. :)

If anyone has any tips, let me know! Is there anything I definitely should add? Anything I definitely should not? I want to have professional goals and personal goals plus some exciting things to check off my list.

I have been thinking about doing this for weeks and there is nothing holding me back but myself; which is often the case in my life. Time to conquer that and take on life...one goal at a time!