"Friday" Fail

Well, I had a major 'FAIL' this week.

(Honestly, I've had more than one major 'fail' this week - this one is just a funny fail; the others are 'Jessica is a sinner and fails to be good, kind, loving and gracious' fails - which, let's be honest, I don't want to post about right now. I'd rather be funny.)

This week kicked off the first week of school at the University of Arizona.  This also kicked off the first week of Dan's crazy schedule. He teaches on TR (that's Tuesday/Thursday to you non-academics) until 7; has livestock judging practice on W from 6:30-9 and F from 4 - 8/9 and Saturday morning/early afternoon.

In my effort to be a great, supportive wife, I did some meal planning that revolved around me making this on Tuesday night:

Anyone else love how giant this picture is? That's about how much I built it up in my head, too...my effort & success at being such an awesome wife. (Remember that loving, kind, gracious area I'm failing at - yeah, that MIGHT be more important than fall-off-the-bone rotisserie chicken.)

Anyway....

On Tuesday nights, we made plans for Buffalo Wild Wings - so my meal plan got delayed a day. (This is not the fail part, BTW. Agreeing to go to BWW's is a major win.)

Wednesday morning came around and I got the bird ready, complete with removing the gizzards and what not from the middle. Gee-ross. I used this recipe as a guide: http://busy-mommy.com/2010/02/how-to-make-your-own-rotisserie-chicken.html. Again, let's be honest, I just put Emeril's Original blend on because it basically contained all the ingredients she used.

Before Dan's practice on Wednesday night, he came home to have dinner. On the drive home, he asked what we were having - and I described to him. He was well pleased.

We walked in the door...and were not greeted by the smell of delicious chicken. We were greeted with no smell at all. I looked at the chicken and said to Dan, "This doesn't look done at all!" (It should have; it had been cooking for 8 hours.) He says, "Well, it's [the crock pot] not on."

I looked at the knob - it was on the off position. I looked back at Dan, incredulously. I knew that I turned that to 'Low' this morning before I left; I could see me performing that step in my mind. Maybe he had just turned it off when we walked in. He must've known what I was thinking, and said, "I haven't touched it."

I felt the crock pot. Stone cold.



No fancy-schmancy rotisserie-style chicken for us that night.  

Tetanus Tuesday

July 1995:  Received my second tetanus shot at the Adair County Fair. The Adair County Memorial Hospital was giving away free shots. It had been 10 years since my last one. Awesome.

August 9, 2012:  Received my fourth tetanus shot because of an incident at the Shiawassee County Fair.

The scene:  After a hearty dinner of brats and delicious sweet corn with the extended Kiesling and Riley clan at the camper, my sister-in-law, niece, nephew and Dan's brother's girlfriend headed to the horse barn. 
(You know what's exciting about being married? Kim is my sister-in-law now, not just Dan's.)

As we strolled through the barn, Brenna and Henry (niece and nephew) wanted to pet the horses. So, I thought that I would be the 'test dummy' - who sees if the horse with his/her head near the gate is friendly and nice enough to allow a little petting. Things were going along swimmingly. In fact, at one point, while I stroked a horse's face, I thought, "Hmm. This (the fact that I was really enjoying petting horses) is proof that I am away from animals too much." Normally, I'm not a big horse 'petter.'

Then, as we were nearing the exit of the barn, we saw the last horse with his face near the gate. I tested him with a little pat. He seemed fine. Kim and Henry came up and were petting him. Then, I pet the side of his face...and he reached over and nipped me!

We all jumped back, startled. I've never been bit by a horse before. In fact, I've never really been bitten by any animal before. (although once, I kicked at a sow and my foot went into her mouth. Remember that, Matt? She did not bite down. All was fine.)

It was a small bite - not any larger than the diameter of a pencil eraser. First, it turned white around the outside and in the middle. It stung. Then, it started to bleed.

We headed to the arena were all the guys were watching the steer show. I told Dan that we had a "medical emergency." Brenna started to get freaked out by the cattle and what had just happened with the horses. She said, "I am never touching a horse again." I felt guilty - for I don't want my poor choice to pet that horse to cause her to write off horses forever.

Dan, Tim, Brenda, and I headed to the first aid building. When I informed them that I had a horsebite that needed to be treated, they looked at me incredulously. "A horsebite?"
Yes. A horsebite. For goodness sake, we are at a county fair where there are horses present.
They informed that all they could do for me was clean it up.
Great. That is exactly why I came to you, actually.
Then, they told me that I should probably get a tetanus shot.
"Probably - like I'll be okay if I don't get one?"
"You should get one...sooner rather than later."
"Sooner - like I will be in Tucson next Monday and get one then OR I should go get one right now?"
"You should probably get one before you're back in Tucson."

Umm..okay. Thank you. Very helpful advice there, medical professionals.

Very soon afterwards we ran into Dan's Aunt Polly, a nurse, who informed me that while tetanus shots are good for ten years; once you're past 5 and you get bitten, scratched, step on a nail, etc. - it's time for a new one, and I had a 72-hour window to get one. Excellent. Thank you, Aunt Polly for that very helpful and timely advice. :)

So, I got a tetanus shot on Thursday morning at Walgreens.

My bite is healing very nicely. My arm did not fall off. My jaw did not lock up.
It was so small that most people looked at it and said, "Oh. I've never seen a horsebite that small. I've seen much bigger."  Later in the week, one of the EMTs recognized me and asked how my horsebite was doing. How nice that he remembered. Must've been a slow week. :)

In fact, the Sunday that we left to come back, Brenna checked out my bite and said, "Oh! That is healing very nicely."  She also made multiple trips back to the horsebarn during Fair Week - so apparently, she was not traumatized.  (She's still not crazy about cows, though.)

Matt Monday - Michigan

For at least one and a half years, Dan has told me that I had to experience the great Shiawassee County Fair - "the BEST county fair in all of Michigan." So, we planned to come visit. Then, he was asked to judge the youth swine showmanship competition. Well, he couldn't turn that down! Isn't that the sign that you have officially made it? When your old stomping grounds asks you back as an official?

The deal was sealed; we would go to Michigan - and we would need to be there by Sunday, August 5. We were able to score some pretty sweet tickets on Allegiant airlines. If you are familiar with Allegiant, you can only fly on certain days. Flying from Mesa to Grand Rapids, we were limited to travelling on Thursdays or Sundays. This paved the way for us to get away to our beloved Midwest for TEN. WHOLE. DAYS!

I digress. This post is supposed to have pictures and have something to do with my brother.


Well, I must admit that the Shiawassee County Fair's youth swine show was quite impressive. There were just over 200 youth showing hogs. This meant that Dan had quite the job to do! Judging those youth split into 4 divisions took about 5 hours! During each round, he spoke to each child about the ways that he/she could show the hog off better to the judge.  While it took a while to deliver that kind of personal advice, I must admit, it was far more attention than I got while showing. :)

Dan's brother Tim is a leader for one of the 'hog clubs.' (For the Iowans, Shiawassee County Fair has 'project clubs' as opposed to the community clubs that we're familiar with.) One of Tim's club members has purchased pigs from my brother and been very pleased with them.  This year, she bred one of the gilts purchased from Matt and ended up with a litter of 14 show pigs.  Nine days later, the barn was up in flames.  So, she, her parents and Tim headed to Iowa in April to buy some more "good Iowa pigs."

Let me tell you what, those were some gooood Iowa pigs! One of the show superintendents told her, as they were weighing in, "Those are the largest boned pigs I have ever seen!" When Lindsay came into the ring for showmanship, I thought the same thing. He was a big boned, heavy muscled beauty.  I was impressed. Then, I was told that this one didn't even compare to the one being shown as the market individual.

The next day during the market show, it was very fun to watch since I had a 'stake' in it. Of course, I wanted the judge to choose my brother's pig! However, as the day wore on, I saw the judge consistently pick Hamp and Spot pigs...and not the York or blue-butts. I wondered if he had a bias against the more 'maternal' breeds.

Well, I had little reason to worry.  As soon as that pig entered the ring, the judge spotted it.  He won his class handily.  He won the Heavyweight Market Individual easily.  So, it was no surprise - but we were certainly elated - when he was selected as the Grand Champion Market Hog. He was explosive! (Unfortunately, my pictures don't quite do him justice.)

Cindy, Lindsay and Greg Richmond with "Cy"

Lindsay with her hardware. (If I was a better show-animal photographer, Cy would have his head up, so that you could really see how long and stout he is.)

Lindsay with Cy's buyers at the sale. Here you can see more of Cy's length and power.

It was very fun to watch Lindsay win. This win could not have come at a better time or to a better family.  It has been a tough year for them, and success never tastes sweeter than when it follows a time of suffering.

It was also very gratifying to watch one of my brother's pigs win.  His foray into the show pig business really began from similar circumstances.  In January of 1999, our farrowing house caught fire - killing 14 sows, each with a full litter.  The loss came at an awful time in the pork industry - when producers were receiving $.05/hundred pounds.  While the decision wasn't easy, it was clear. Our family would not continue in the pork industry.  However, my brother would still have enough pigs for 4-H and FFA.  At this point, he had an opportunity to build a herd with show characteristics.

Growing up, we showed pigs selected from our herd. They did alright - but they weren't bred for the show. They were bred for market.  ...and they looked like it. ...and, receiving a blue was expected. Getting penned was a highlight. Winning?  A dream...but not too likely.

Then, Matt had this opportunity.  Has he ever capitalized it! He has invested so much time, sweat, and effort into transforming the herd and our farm. It is amazing to see his vision take shape.  Every victory that he experiences has been hard earned.  I am so proud of him.

Pure Michigan, Pure Joy

We have officially been returned from our wonderful, ten days of rest, relaxation, fair and family vacation to Michigan.  To describe the trip as 'amazing' or 'blessed' seems to fall short.  Both Dan and I felt wholly refreshed in our souls, our calling, and our place in the world.

I feel like Michigan is our place.  I feel incredibly blessed with an amazing family by calling (in-law doesn't capture the warmth or love they bring).  When Dan first took me to Michigan (again, for an extended vacation) to meet the family, that was when we both knew...where Dan first said, "I love you," where I cried when we drove away because I felt so welcomed and accepted.  This trip reinforced that acceptance. I truly feel like I belong; like I am part of this family, immediate and extended - even though many miles separate us. It is a beautiful and BLESSED thing. 

It was so nice to see Dan rest and relax.  He needed a chance to just connect with those who know him best - and he got to do that many times over.  We're contemplating making this trip an annual event.  Being 'stationed' at the Shiawassee County Fair allowed us to spend many days and quality memory-making moments with family and friends - far more than we would have done on a holiday trip.

I will recap the week using pictures on the blog this week. (Yes, I took pictures!) Just know that it was everything we needed to return refreshed & relaxed!

Juno: aka didjunowhatthekieslingsweredoing?

June was a great, but stressful, month for us.

1)  Dan defended his Master's thesis! AND PASSED!

     He defended last Thursday, June 28. He finished the first draft last December and has been waiting for edits. He received them this month and spent a good chunk of his Saturdays, Sundays, and a few late nights/early mornings making edits and working on his presentation. He does have edits to make (as all who go through the process do) - and the goal is to have those edits done before school starts. Yea! Master Dan!

2)  I taught my first summer course.

     We met 2 hours a day, Monday - Friday. My class was small (9), but they did very well. The course is the same one I teach throughout the year - Applying Critical Thinking Skills to Critical Discourse in Family & Consumer Science Organizations. Boring title, huh? The title needs work - but the class is excellent. In a nutshell, our students develop their critical thinking, writing and presenting skills while analyzing and developing rhetorical acts (arguments). I have learned so much from teaching the course and my writing has definitely improved as a result.
It was really fun to teach - but, stressful - as I want my students to succeed and I want to be sure that they are grasping the concepts and that I am doing the best I can.

The class ended yesterday. They all showed improvement and I loved their end-of-class reflections, always helps me appreciate the efforts.


3)  I presented at my first academic professionals conference: North American College Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA), June 26-29, River Falls, WI.
   
 I feel like I have officially arrived in the academic world. Honestly, I felt like I was missing out on the 'grad school' experience many times because my Master's courses were all online. Don't mis-hear me, I had great professors and excellent courses; but, I missed the 'experience' of attending conferences, presenting and doing research. Granted, I was only a full-time student one semester - but still, I missed it. SO, I was very excited to present TWO oral presentations about my research and one poster about the Ag 450 Farm.
     My "ex-post-facto/de-facto" 'advisor' and friend, Ryan, helped with the brainstorming process, for which I am very thankful. I had never made a poster before and it's pretty intimidating to start. Ryan also helped with the process of planning my two presentations. I had approximately 10 minutes to present each oral presentation. My defense presentation went 40 minutes longer than it should have; brevity is not my strong suit. I want to give ALL the background information; I needed to just keep it simple.
     The result? Awesomeness. I am not saying that to brag; it really went very well. I now feel confident to take on the next area! What is that, you wonder? Journal articles!


4)   It was in the triple digits nearly the entire month.

      I think that is enough explanation about why it was stressful. =)


5)   Monsoon season started. 

That means that is more humid than normal - and I love it! It also means that there is a chance of rain most days - and I love it! There are more clouds in the sky and more gray days - and I love it! (Trust me, when you have 360 days of sun, a little gray in your day is such a treat.)


6)   I was diagnosed with esophagealitis.

Every day for at least a week, I would have a pain in my upper-back/chest right after eating. Not a burning sensation - just a sharp pain. Then on a weekend, I had heartburn/burning for a day. It was awful.  At the doctor, I had an EKG - normal; blood drawn for the bacteria that causes ulcers - none. So, I'm taking Nexium and it's been helping.
      BUT, I want to get to the cause - have any of you who have been diagnosed with food allergies/sensitivies experienced similar symptoms? Any recommendations?


7)    I got a 'promotion'!

My title is now Advisor/Lecturer and I got a raise. Now, for Dan to get a raise.... That man works harder than most in his department and he doesn't get recognized for it.


8)    We got to spend time in the Midwest!

Ah, it was so good for my soul.  A blog post will follow. However, 1) I did not realize how beautiful Wisconsin is. Good on ya, Wisconsin! 2) I tell people that I miss humidity - but one of those days, I swear we were at 90% humidity - and I don't miss that.  3) I love my friends. We spent about 36 hours with my college roommate and dear friend, Pam and her family. It was excellent.  4) I love my family. My mom and dad drove all the way to Wisconsin/Minnesota just to spend about 40 hours with us. It was excellent.


9)     We enjoyed quite a few happy hours in June. We may not have a lot of friends - but we have good ones. =) We also got to host one of Dan's college friends for a night while she was on a short work trip. It was such a fun time!


10)    June 4 marked one year completed in Arizona! (for me; July 22 will make 2 years completed for Dan)
     

Anniversary Celebration

On Memorial Day, we headed back to Tucson. This time, we took 'the 8' to San Diego - then along the border, to Yuma and home. In San Diego, we had lunch with my good friend (and country cousin) Marijo and her husband, Lawrence. They are moving to Japan next month for 2 years, so it was wonderful to see them and introduce them to Dan.

Tuesday was our "official" anniversary. We spent the day working. On our way into work, we stopped at Wheel Donuts (the local donut shop that Dan loves) for breakfast.

After work, we went out to Buffalo Wild Wings. Sure, it's not fancy - but we love it. AND it was 'Traditional Tuesday,' which we love - and I love a good deal...so, yeah, it may not be fancy, but it's us. We walked out stuffed and satisfied and then Dan said, "SO - wanna buy a cake?"

"No." Disheartened Dan replies, "You don't?"

Well, no, not really. I was stuffed - and I don't really like cake. BUT, I know that look and after a year of marriage, I'm starting to learn which battles are just not worth it. SO - we got a cake.

Awww...
Wait - Happy WHAT? Annivershfhsdlkfsdy?
Cake Wrecks, anyone??

His idea. Seriously, what a cutie. :)

...and sorry about the sideways pics. I didn't flip 'em before adding.

Honeyversary Day 3: Chillaxin'

On Sunday, we relaxed. We read the paper, drank coffee, at breakfast, watched the Indy 500 (our hosts are Indianans, after all).

Then, we visited Irvine's city park, a former Navy training base (I think; I may not get these facts right). When the City of Irvine bought the land, they created a plan to transform it into the largest city green-space/park - larger even than Central Park. A community garden and Farmer's Market are housed there. Currently, there is a giant orange balloon (tethered) that you and 29 of your friends can rise 400 feet into the air and peruse the cityscape.

There is also a CAROUSEL! We couldn't ride the balloon due to winds - but we could ride the carousel.

After visiting the park, Dan and I went for a walk into the hills beyond Larry & PJ's. At the top of the hill, we found this little guy: a real roadrunner!

If you look really closely above the hill, you'll see an orange circle. That's the balloon at the Irvine park.

That night, we were able to enjoy dinner with my great-uncle Bob and great-aunt Ruth. It was such a blessed evening. It was terrific to spend the weekend celebrating our marriage with family that hadn't been able to come to the wedding!

It was a really wonderful weekend. We needed a weekend to just completely relax and let go. Larry and PJ were excellent hosts. We can't thank them enough!

Honeyversary Day 2: Relaxation

On Saturday, Larry and PJ had arranged for us to have brunch 'on the ocean' in Laguna Beach. The restaurant is the former home a Hollywood star. It was excellent food, service - and even better company. We were able to have a 'window seat' and look out directly onto the ocean.

Our anniversary mouse

Family as Friends: PJ, Larry, me, Dan - what a view!

After brunch, we walked along the ocean (not on the sand, but along a 2-mile sidewalk above the 'beach'/rocks). It was beautiful.

Can't pass up a photo op with some unique art! I tried to get Dan to pose like the whale, but I think he took offense to the suggestion. I wasn't trying to insinuate that he's like the whale....

9/11 Memorial - beams from each of the Towers

Fun fact: though near the ocean, southern California is still a desert/arid climate. Thanks to the Hoover Dam and the canal system, California has lush, rich vegetation and farm fields due to water from the Colorado River. Just think, Arizona could have gotten that water.... 

We found a beach wedding!

So, I had to take several pictures. Dan thought I was totally weird for doing this; I think it must have been the nostalgia.

DOLPHINS!  We saw several dolphins swimming out in the ocean.

After vising the beach and walking along the ocean, we went wine tasting. It was glorious and fun.
After wine tasting at two places, we took naps. Then ate delicious tri-tip, soaked up the sunshine, laughed, and watched the Disney fireworks - all from Larry & PJ's backyard.

Honeyversary, Day 1 - Disneyland!

"Honeyversary? What's that, Jessica?"

Oh, you know, that time when you combine a honeymoon into your first anniversary celebration.

For our "honeyversary" - aka first anniversary wedding weekend - we headed west to sunny, cooler, (more) humid southern California! Living in Tucson, we'd already had days in the triple digits, so it was SUCH a relief to spend 3 days with weather in the 60s-70s. I loved being able to break out the jeans for a few days. We left Tucson mid-afternoon on Thursday, and took I-10 (or "the 10" to Califonians) to Irvine. We were welcomed with open arms into Larry and PJ Colando's home (cousins to Dan's mom).

On Friday morning, we slept in and then enjoyed breakfast with Larry and PJ before heading to the happiest place on earth: Disneyland! Dan and I have both been to Disneyworld, but never to Disneyland - so we figured it was a must. The two are fairly similar; the one ride that is different, the Matterhorn, was closed for repairs. Whomp-whomp.

We had a great day. Favorite ride: Space Mountain (Jessica); Pirates of the Caribbean (Dan). I got to see my first Disney parade! Dan got to conquer his fear of Snow White and her scary adventures. AND we came to the mutual agreement that we will only take our children to Disneyland/world when they are old enough to walk without whining. The strollers take over the park! [That rule, by the way, comes courtesy of my parents who made that rule for our family regarding when we could go to the Iowa State Fair...which meant no Fair for me until I was 9.]

The adventure begins.
BTW - like my glasses? Totally went shopping in the school's lost and found for these babies. Oh. YES.

Prepare for the amazement of watching Michael Jackson from 1986 in a Star Wars-esque 3D adventure.

You know, it really IS a small world.

Visiting ToonTown revealed that Dan has not seen Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Add that to the "must-see" movies!

Mickey kicks off the parade! He was actually playing those drums, too.

Belle and Cinderella

AHHHHHHHHHsylvania.......

Lots of awesomeness happening here.

It's a jolly holiday with Mary!

Sleeping Beauty's castle

This was my amazing dessert. We ate in the "French Quarter" of Frontierland. We played it smart during the day and had snacked on some popcorn and brought our own giant water bottle (several water fountains in the park). Then, we splurged on one big meal. That cake was all worth it; it was much more like a mouse and ah-mazing.

I can't pass up a carousel - and now I have roped Dan into it!

That's right! We got to meet THE couple of the hour! It was a total fluke. We were waiting for the fireworks to start (which ended being canceled due to wind) and headed over to catch 'Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.' Tucked away in this corner near the theater with Lincoln, there was a line of about 10-15 people. We looked and there were Mickey and Minnie! I told Dan that we had to get our pictue taken with them. We walked to the theater anyway. After inside for about 2 minutes, Dan said, "You want to go get our picture taken?" YES.  How often do you get to meet the power couple of the century? ;-)

Tucson Tuesday

Since it has *almost* been one year since arriving in Tucson (June 3!), I thought I would share some of the differences between Tucson and Iowa.

Tucson Taco:



Iowa Taco:


Don't get me wrong, the Ortega-seasoned ground beef with cheese, lettuce, and a few tomatoes nestled inside a crispy Ortega shell are delicious. They are also very Iowa/midwestern.

At the end of April, Dan and a few of my co-workers went to the Tucson Taco Fest. ALL of the tacos were served in small little soft corn or flour shells. None had ground beef. None had shreded cheddar cheese. None had lettuce. ALL were delicious.


Tucson Summers:



Iowa Summers:


Yes, it's a dry heat. So is an oven. It still sucks the life out of you to walk around in it.
Sure, it's not in the triple digits for an entire month. There is still 70% humidity which leaves your clothes sticking to you. The dry heat slowly sucks the water out of you; the humidity suffocates you.


Tucson Weather for the next 7 days:

Included should be the last two days with high temps of 105 and 104, respectively.
They call this "Blow Dryer Weather."

Iowa Weather for the next 7 days:


I really shouldn't have posted the comparisons. Now, I want to go home just for the summer weather.
I feel like in Tucson we jumped from 70s/80s to the upper 90s/100s.


What Tucsonans do for the summer:


What Iowans do for the summer:
 

That's right. It is SO hot in the summer, that we basically hibernate - like you do in the winter.



How Tucsonans use an umbrella:
 

How Iowans use an umbrella:


If you haven't deduced from the pictures, here in Arizona we use umbrellas to block out the sun. I know this seems like sacrilege to most Iowans. I mean, really! Block out the sun?! For shame!
However, after spending [nearly] a year in Arizona, I can say that Tucsonans feel the same way about blocking out the rain. The few times that it does rain, it rains in the summer - and it feels so good! Warm rain! It's such a long-lost friend that our sun-parched selves just drink it in, literally.

There you have it, folks. A few of the differences between Iowa and Tucson. Now, you can see how it really was culture-shock moving so far away. :)