Thanksgiving

Well, this Thanksgiving "break" has been anything but a break or restful in any way. But, I have to say I am thankful that I was off work for 5 days to help get everything done.

Wednesday morning, I got up at 4:45 to go to Cushing to meet a group to run at 5:30. It was crazy, I was actually excited to run. It helped it was a balmy 65 degrees. Very pleasant for running. I even went 4 miles - a mile further than I'd run previously! I had tons of energy for the rest of the day. I tried to take a nap, but couldn't fall asleep, so it was a great thing. I just wish I could do it everyday. But, living 45 minutes from Cushing doesn't really make it feasible for work days. Oh well. I'll do it when I can.

Speaking of running....I've completed Couch to 5K!! Now, I just need to find an official 5K to run! I think there is one on December 11 called the Jingle Bell run that I'm going to check into running. It should be fun!

We've had some crazy weather swings. It was 81 Wednesday afternoon when Jimmy and I were on our way to Stillwater to get feed, and the high for Thursday as in the 30's. Unfortunately, with weather swings also comes sick cattle. Jimmy's dad has already lost 4 calves to pneumonia. So, needless to say, the majority of the break was spent roping and doctoring sick calves. The majority of the day Thursday, Friday, Saturday AND Sunday was spent messing with the cattle. But, like I said, I'm so glad I was home to be able to help doctor them. I'm the #1 shot giver!

Saturday evening, we were running out of daylight to run our calves through to give them antibiotics so, we just caught the whole herd in the corral and decided to hold them in there for the night and work them in the morning. That turned out to be OK, until I walked out there this morning and found one of our 400-500 lb steer calves wedged in a poly bunk feeder. I'm not sure how long the poor guy had been in there, but he was pretty near death. He was bloated, his eyes were rolling back in his head, it was a bad deal. Luckily, we rescued him just in time, got him upright and he almost immediately started belching gas and his bloat started going down. He laid there all day and this evening Jimmy, Matt, Kadie, Jim and I worked to get him up. We used big straps to help lift him so he could get all 4 legs under him. He eventually was able to stand on his own and was even feeling feisty enough to head butt Kadie.  I was SO glad we were able to get him up and standing. I'm feel much better about his prospects of surviving. Another thing to be thankful for.

So, even though I didn't get my laundry put away, I didn't get my floors cleaned, I didn't get my ironing done, I didn't get my ceiling fans cleaned, and it took us 4 days to get our tub re-caulked, I'm very thankful for the 5 days I had off.

God is with us always, and I know we were able to get all we got done with His help and guidance. I was upset this morning we weren't able to go to church, but I guess it's all OK.

God bless. Love, Jules.

I'm a runner!

I never in a million years thought I'd say it, but I think I've officially become a runner!
I have to give credit to Couch to 5K and especially the C25K App. Having the app on my phone that gave me instructions on when to run, walk, let me know when I was 1/2 way done, time for cool-down, was so incredibly helpful.  When I started 9 weeks ago, running 60 seconds about killed me. Now, for my run tonight, I went a few extra minutes so I could make sure I hit the 3 mile mark.  That's 30+ minutes of running. Without stopping.  Used to be unheard of for me, but now it's like an addiction. I'd heard of "runners high" before, but never experienced it until now. Last Friday, I felt crappy and really didn't feel like running and after my run, I felt fantastic. It helps that I also now have a friend who runs that I run with. He pushes me and encourages me and helps me finish the run. It's awesome.

Well, my fantastic hubby is unloading the dishwasher while I finish my post and get ready to shower.
More later.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
God Bless.