Just a Quickie: Horse Slaughter & Stamps

As I was sitting down eating supper tonight, Paul (who knows my stance on the subject), asked if I had heard the rumor of the horse slaughter ban being lifted. I hadn't, but I also hadn't had any time lately to read any of my Ag news or blogs.
Once finished, I jumped on the PC and searched. According to multiple newspapers & ABC news, they stated that in November, Obama quietly signed a bill that would reverse the 2006 decision. The slaughterhouses may be up & running within 90 days if they are able. Note: this doesn't mean I will be heading to my nearest diner for a horse steak anytime soon. I would love to talk more about it, but I am tired at the moment (just wanted to post a quickie) AND more importantly, I am one who believes in doing their research before running their mouth... SO I would like to find out more before I say too much.
Here's just a couple of the sites I read:
 - Progressive Cattleman
 - ABC news
 - PETA  (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) - yes, they even had an article about the ban lift. They agreed it didn't work, then went on about the transportation issues & how they would like to see a ban on slaughter & exportation of live animals in order for it to work. If you read this article, remember that this group will say anything & dramatize everything to get you to believe the livestock, horse racing, rodeo, & any other animal industry is evil. Personally, I'm for 'People Eating Tasty Animals'  :)

....which brings me to another point.
         When mailing your Christmas cards out this year, please support agriculture & use the holiday stamps! There's a new stamp in town, ones with a different vegetarian (past & present) on them. Read more on my friend Kelsey Pope's agriculture blog, Ag on the Forefront.

My 1st Michigan Trip!

This past weekend Paul & I racked up a whopping 1800 miles on Blue. We drove him through Missouri, up into Illinois & Indiana. Then we by-passed Chicago, & up to a little hole in the trees to peek at Lake Michigan! I fell in LOVE! It was gorgeous.

After I played in the chilly water for a while we headed 3 hours into the High Five state to Ann Arbor, where we met up with some of Paul's buddies. We had some beers at Ann Arbor Brew Pub, which were delish. Food was on the mind though & their line was too long, so we headed over to The Blue Tractor. More beers & dinner were in order. I had an amazing BLT made with a fried green tomato! YUM! The boys caught up with shots while the fiance's talked of weddings.



in Ann Arbor



Paul & I in Ann Arbor... of coarse I had to represent K-State @ least one night!!!



The next day, Michigan took on Nebraska! We missed tailgating but viewed the game at another one of Paul's groomsman's houses. Which of coarse followed with some get-to-know-ya-catch-up beer pong/flip cup.



Some of Paul's good friends!

Finally, on Sunday we were able to catch up on some sleep only to wake up to meet Paul's aunts, uncles, grandparents, & cousins. The meal was great & the people were very welcoming & nice. It was also my first experience with a grandparent with dementia. Different, but just something you have to cope with. After supper I had a dejavoux. We were sitting around the table & his other grandpa was telling stories, only the way he talked sounded exactly like my grandpa that passed away back in 2000. It was hard to hide my emotions. That night we met up with another groomsmen & his sister that actually live in Colorado but are from Michigan.

Monday morning, Bob Evans called us for breakfast with his family. Then we were off on our 13 1/2 hour drive back to Topeka, KS. This time we dropped down through Indiana, the corner of Illinois, & through St. Louis into KC. It misted on us the whole way back which made for a good photo in St.Louis (if only it was lighter).

 

the SWEET tote Paul's mom made me for my birthday!



The view of St. Louis Monday night from in the truck on the bridge

 I met some great new friends, new 'soon-to-be' family & saw some great places!
I can't wait to get back & see more of the state, maybe even cross the pond, Canada!!!

Weekend Mania

This past weekend, I took Big Blue (Paul's truck) down to Wichita Friday night for the American Agri-Women conference. I was unable to make the first few days, but I arrived just in time to help put together some awesome decorations... KUDOS to the Bammerlin ladies for working their tails off... along with the rest of the decoration committee! This was my first conference & I am excited to hit up next years in Colorado! After a night of 'taste testing' wines & getting my sleeping arrangements re-located at 3am (I think) I was ready to go home Sunday for a little bit of rest.
Now, I'm taking a break while getting ready to head to the 'The Big High Five' state... Michigan... with Paul. This will be another little test, a 13 hour drive, which I'm confident we'll pass. Saturday, I'm going to get my Blue & Maize on tailgating for the Michigan vs. Nebraska game. Sunday, Paul just informed me they're having a family dinner, including lots of family it sounds like *yikes*- I always get nervous meeting the 'in-laws even though I'm sure it'll be fine. I told Paul I just want to see a lighthouse, as I have never seen one before, let alone been anywhere up in that Northern area. I'm excited!!
I better get back to packing :p

P.S. on an engagement update: I did make a dress trying on appointment this week for when my mom & sister come to town in December :)

Candlelight & Quiz Time :)

I'M ENGAGED!!!

Here's the scoop:

           Friday night after Paul & I spray tanned & ate dinner we came home, only I wasn't feeling very well so we laid in bed. I lit some candles so I didn't have to have the big overhead light shining in my eyes ... we'll just say they were Paul's idea :).  We were playing a quiz game... the kind like 'Newlyweds,' with questions like "What's my favorite color?" & "What's my favorite food?" I had just finished a spiel about how much I love cheese & it was his turn to ask a question, he leans over me & asks "Alicia, will you marry me?" I respond, "what?" he repeats, "will you marry me?" I respond, "Are you joking?" he comes back with, "this is the third & last time, will you marry me?" then of coarse I say yes!!!!

          While laying there giggling I reach for my phone to call the parents & announce it to the facebook world, Paul hastily stops me & says, "now don't go facebooking it just yet! I have to tell my parents first. My mom said she'd kill me if she ever found out through facebook." Well that deserved my comeback of "well, you better call them right now!" Note: it was 10pm our time, 11pm his parents time, & 9pm my parents time. First up, his mom... she was nice & congratulatory. His dad was out hunting & already in bed. Next, my parents, but before I hit the green button I bet Paul my mom would say, "what are you pregnant?" ... sadly, I have tricked her multiple times with the "mom I have something to tell you" line with pregnancy being the answer. That may come to bite me in the butt later when I really am prego. Any who, once she picks up I tell her I have some news... I won that bet! haha. After I tell her that we're engaged her response went something like, "well, bout fucking time!" in a loud, laughing, happy tone. My mom gets in curse crazy modes & I think she was in one that night :) If only we had a swear jar out, we could have paid for this shindig with all her swearing.... huh, I guess that's where I get it from too. my dad was laying next to her with his sleep apnea machine one, which makes him sound like the McDonald's drive through. He had already gone to sleep but kind of woke up &said something happy that I didn't understand. He later congratulated me on Sunday with out the machine. Saturday we got a hold of Paul's dad, he was really excited & happy too. He cried he was so happy for Paul.

        I don't have the ring just yet. It has to be paid off before Paul can take it home. We went & looked at rings a while back to give him an idea of what I likeed. He did tell me what it looks like, it's custom made which is neat that I'll have the only one like it! ... not to brag or anything ;) It's white gold, princess cut, .& around the band is engravings with little diamonds (kind of a vintagy look to it). It's out of Meierotto Midwest Jewelers in Kansas City. I can't wait to see it! Once I get it I will be quick to post pictures!

      Another romantic note to my weekend:

      When we were at Jaclyn's birthday party there was a DJ with karaoke & dancing. Well, Paul is like the karaoke king, especially when he's drinking. He is actually really good too! He sticks to Johnny Cash, Bob Seger, Toby Kieth, & mainly other country guys. A good couple hours into the party, Paul gets up there with the mic & announces, "this next song goes out to my new fiance, Alicia Gettel, I love you!"

The song is:

He also inserts my name into the chorus & finishes it off with an, "I love you Alicia Gettel" then kisses me on the dance floor... yep I teared up.

I love him & can't wait to begin planning this shindig of 2012!!! Stay tuned for more planning stories & I'm sure a web page thing :)

October Love

October is a FABULOUS month!!!

I love the colors.

I love the weather.

I love the candy, cookies, & treats.

I love the decorations.

I love the pumpkins.

I love the costumes!

Paul & I went to a pumpkin patch (a requirement in my book), enjoyed watching the kids, munched on some delicious cider doughnuts, picked our pumpkins, & sipped cider. It was a great day!!! Once home, we carved those puppies up... can you tell which one is mine?!? :) ... I actually got the idea for mine of Pinterest.

Of coarse we dressed up... well, it was my friends' themed birthday party but everyone considered it good for Halloween too! It was a Jersey Shore theme!!! :) Yep good ole Snooki, The Situation & GTL times.... My friend (who's birthday it was), Jaclyn, loves Jersey Shore & this year is her 30th so she wanted to go all out & thought of this idea back in July. Then when I came home from the hospital I thought I would check out this whole Jersey Shore thing. You know to get ideas.... well, I'll admit I got hooked. It's totally trashy & lame but for some reason I tune into it. One thing Paul & I have in common is when we dress up we believe if you're going to do it, you better do it right! I went as JWOWW & Paul went as Ronnie.

Me, Brooklyn, Jaclyn (the birthday girl!), & Misty

Paul actually shaved off his beard!!! I have only seen him with his beard & a goatee, so this was a first for me. It was quite humorous because we both got spray tans the night before, only he shaved right before the party so it was white where his beard was. When we walked in nobody recognized him! People's reactions were priceless. It was a fabulous a night of wigs, fake tans, & fist pumping.

Who knows what next years Halloween will bring?!?