2012: Definitions

CATHARSIS:
ca·thar·sis/kəˈTHärsis/
Noun:
The process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions.

I have been away from my blog for quite some time. I tried to blog during our sale last fall but it was almost painful and laborious for me. Some days the thoughts and ideas pour out of me but over the most part of last year the well was dry. I think that over the last few months I have been undergoing a catharsis that has enabled me to view and handle things in my life differently. I sometimes liken it to an awakening of sorts, when you are able to open your mind and soul to focus on the things in life that have always been there but you have never seen or understood. The transitions during this "awakening" seem to go slowly for me and I would have to say that at this point I am actually still a little groggy and trying to wipe off the sleepy dust.

Some things contributing to my apparently ongoing "Catharsis"?:

1. A strict workout routine/diet- I found myself the most fit person in Denison and enlisted his help as my whip-cracking P.T.A. coach (Pain, Torture and Agony) and I signed up for a year membership at the fitness club. I spend at least an hour there every day and sometimes up to two or more. God bless him! He's a rock star.

2. Eating healthier-You seriously need to take some time when you are grocery shopping and READ the labels! It is amazing how different similar items are nutritionally. I gave up deep fat fried EVERYTHING for a month. Yes, it almost killed me but now I can hardly stomach a french fry or a chicken nugget. A donut makes me gag. And sugar...oh sweet sensuous satisfying sugar...well, I have mourned its loss like a dead friend. Not saying that I have given it up altogether but at least I am not eating powdered sugar straight out of the bag!

3. Taking time - take time to enjoy the little things, the big things and anything else that needs to be noticed. The cattle won't die if they are not fed a precisely the same time every day. If I die tomorrow they aren't going to put "She was a crappy housekeeper" on my headstone. If Darby asks me to roll with him in the grass in the sun then by God I am going to do it. I am going to skip cleaning the barn today to fiddle with that creative walnut chair project sitting in the shop. Take a day and go spend it with my kids. Take time to just do something special with or for somebody. Take time to laugh...and take time to cry. No regrets-No guilt.

***Above all, take time to let the wounds heal...and take time to understand that it simply takes time for that to happen. Pain itself is cathartic.

4. Picking My Challenges- lowering my stress by feeling comfortable with tackling less challenges both in work and in other parts of life. QUIT TRYING TO SOLVE ALL OF THE WORLDS PROBLEMS AND QUIT TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING! DUH!

5. SAY NO! - It's interesting how my diet has influenced the rest of my life. Not only am I putting smaller and healthier portions of food on my plate but when it comes to my "life plate" I am doing the same thing and it has almost the same result. It's good to clean your plate but it works so much better if you work hard not to over-fill it to begin with. Tackle smaller portions at a time. Oh, you won't believe how much less stressful it is.

I think I shall dwell on definitions for a while. I will attempt add some humor...Juli style. Some days may be a little out there (like today) but hopefully I can bring a little sunshine to your day.

Final Countdown

Well the weekend is upon us and the rains as well. The heat finally broke last night with a welcome rain. A beautiful rainbow could be seen across the paddocks from the porch of the bunk house. There is another good chance of rain today but we are ready and waiting for all of our visitors today.

Welcome to all who visit, both in person and on the internet. Please remember that if you have any questions about the sale or calves or bidding process to please don't hesitate to call one of us. We are always happy to talk to you.

I think there are several calves that are seriously outstanding that are still getting looked over. A few are getting missed just because they might not have the same hair condition as some of the others. You have to keep in mind that some calves came from totally different environments. Miller's calves, for example, came from much more moderate climes. They still have a lot of fuzz but they didn't lose their baby hair until later and therefore are not as thick on their new hair. Paul Miller commented to me earlier that these calves were the SUPER hairy kind! Don't miss these calves just because their hair isn't as fresh as some of the others. The shows are still quite a ways away and there is plenty of time for them to Yak out on you!!

Hope to see everyone this weekend. The weather is going to be BEAUTIFUL! High 60's and low 70's.

P.S. If you eat at The Pub tonight, don't forget to ask them for the Club Calf Paradise special!!!

Juli

Mobile friendly: not so much

I just love modern technology but everyday is a learning experience. If younger trying to bid from your phone you may be experiencing some problems. I just found out that the site is not mobile capable...or something like that. Anyway, you will have to bid from your laptop or computer. I am sorry for the inconvenience. Please call us if you have any problems! We will rectify this issue next year!

Here comes the sun!!

Well if you are running around Crawford County, Iowa looking at powerful club calves you will be happy to know that colorweather radar is showing that the storm is passing! I can already see some clear sky to the northwest. So if you are ready to look at calves we have them rinsed...thanks to Mother Nature! Stop and grab some lunch and we will guarantee sun when you get here!!

A tough day at Paradise!

Here's what we do in Iowa when it rains! Typical males...feed them and show them an easy chair... I'm just saying!

All about the cowpower!

It's not hard to tell why the Lot 18 Heifer sired by Redemption is such a hot little number. She comes by it naturally. I haven't had an opportunity before this sale to see any Redemption calves but I have to say that I definitely will be talking with the Miller family about carrying his semen next spring. But you have to seriously understand that the maternal side of this heifer's pedigree is just as powerful. This picture of her dam says it all. Wouldn't you love to have a pasture full of these kind? How could you possibly go wrong in today's market with females of this caliber.

Just a few more hours!

Thank you everyone for your patience on our auction site. We are downloading pictures as we speak and should have the video up within the next 24 hours! If all goes well we will have the auction ready to start bidding by tomorrow night! Once the auction is running we will be able to approve bidders so if you have already applied but havent received your verification, it will be coming soon.

Again, thank you for visiting Club Calf Paradise!