Day 5- My Siblings

So let me tell you about my siblings. My oldest sister, Kimmer Kay, as she was called by my brother is only 23 months older than me. She was the "bossy" older sister and always got to be the teacher when we played school. We had a lot of sibling rivalry because it was always two against one. One of the clearest memories I have of her is when she threw an ink pen at me and it stuck in my arm. However, I have the greatest appreciation for her. She had the biggest heart. She is kind and generous. She loves her children and grandchildren with the greatest passion. Her life has not be the easiest but she is a fighter and is super resilient. Then there is Suz. She is only 1 year and three days older than me. We often get mistaken as twins, especially when we were growing up. We were always the same size. I was the tall one. We have a running joke about which one of us looks older. We fought like cats and dogs, especially after Kim left home. Suz was the shy quite one. So not a trouble maker in our family. She turned out the be the adventurous one. She is the globe trotter and always has unusual jobs in weird locations. Then there is the little brother. He is 4 1/2 years younger than I am. Spoiled rotten by everyone. He was a pain as a little kid but we all loved him. He has become an amazing man. Guided by his faith and love for his family, I could not be prouder to call him my brother. I'm sure if my parents knew some of the trouble we got into, their hair would be gray.

Finally, there is my 3rd sister. Techinally my sister-in-law but she hold the same spot in my hearts as my sisters do. I can't remember a time when she wasn't around. Miss is the best addition to a family that anyone could have.

I love my family and feel like the luckiest person in the world to have them in my life. I can only hope that they feel half the love for me as I feel for them.

Day 4- My Parents

I love my parents. It's that simple. Here's a pic of my dad holding his great granddaughter.

Below is me and my mom. (not sure what I was doing with my mouth)

My parents met in 1957 in the back of a car cruisin' main street in Chanute, KS. They were seniors in high school and a car load of girls jumped in with a car load of boys and they were history. My dad followed my mom around for the next 5 years until they were married in May 1962--almost 49 years ago. Mom was a city girl and dad was a farmer. They settled in rural southeast KS and made a family, a home and a life together ever since.

My parents taught us the value of a hard days work. They taught us that even if you are money poor you may be life rich. They taught us about the importance of sticking by family through thick and thin. They taught us about unconditional love and support.

Because we have had some health challenges with them in the past couple of months, it as brought a new awareness to each of us four children about the incredible job they have done of raising a family. I think we value them more now then ever before and the lessons that they have taught us. In a day and time when families don't get along, ours is stronger then ever thank to my mom and dad.

So here's to you Sharon and Marion-- I love you with all my heart!

Oops- I missed a day

Blogging Day 3 Challenge-First Love So I have somewhat of an excuse- yesterday was my 2nd anniversary so didn't think it was quite appropriate to blog about my first love. I didn't date much in high school and didn't really have a boyfriend in college. So I didn't have my first love until I finished college. I had just graduated and was living in the same town I went to college. I was working my first real job. When I met my first love , Jimmy Don Q.. I met him at a cowboy bar when I was out with my friends. All I remember was that he asked me to dance quite a bit that night and that he talked a lot. I saw him a couple of weeks later and we ended up dancing the night away. He was in the army, divorce and had a son--all the things that I said I did not want in a relationship. That night he wanted to take me out to for breakfast and then take me home. No go. (I had such good boundaries with him). We had a date that Monday and the rest was history. We saw each other almost daily from then on. He was fun, so nice and great to be around. He was scheduled to leave about 8 months after we met and I kept saying that I would say good-bye when the time came. In the end, I moved with him. I was so in love with him and believed that I would be married to him for the rest of my life. We were together for over a year and in the end, he was transferred to Korea, where he got married about 4 months after being there. He broke my heart. But in the end, I'm glad that I had met him and loved him. There are times that I wish I could see him one more time. There are times that I wonder what my life would have been like. I used to think about him often but over the past 21 years, that memory has faded and he's just a sweet thought that crosses my mind every now and again.

Day 2 of Blog Challenge

Day 2- Meaning behind your blog title. My boyfriend at the time (now my hubby) had really struggle with the thought of living in a big city. He has always lived in small town Kansas and more often than not, in the country on acreage. He moved to the city to be with me. My Cowboy is a real cowboy at heart. He wears his boots with shorts and his cowboy hat is most often on top of his head. I love that he is his own person and doesn't really care what others think of him and how he dresses. "Living with a Cowboy in the City" is really about how we are navigating our way in this world and it happens to be in the city for right now. I'm sure my next title will be "Living the Cowboy life in the Country".

30 days of Blogging

I am taking the challenge to do the 30 days of blogging as seen on my friends Caroline's blog.





Day One- Introduce, recent picture and 15 interesting facts.





So I have been blogging for about 3 years after Caroline convinced me to try it. I wanted to capture all the moments I had with my Cowboy so I could have a history and memory of our life. I'm a Clinical Director for a Substance Abuse Services in a community mental health agency. A job I've been at for almost 17 years and love but feel like I have no idea what I'm doing most days.





I grew up on a farm and am the only ones that lives more than an hour away from my parents in the city. I met my hubby 17 years ago but only married him 2 years ago. We were on and off during that time.



I love the neighborhood we live in with our two dogs. We are truly country folks that just happen to live in the city.

Here is Chloe and I about a week ago.

15 Interesting facts-

1) I love Survivor and have dreams of being on the show, I've sent in my video and application a couple of times.

2) Despite having two dogs, I don't consider myself a dog person and don't get real thrilled about other dogs.

3) I'm pretty crafty and love to scrapbook, sew and do any artsy craftsy thing that I think I can re-create.

4) I've only been in love with two people and they happened 20 years apart in my life.

5) Sadie was the first real pet I ever had.

6) I am a pro at chasing pigs, driving tractors, and doing general farm work.

7) I only started golfing 10 years ago, my attempt to meet men.

8) I love to play games--all kinds of games, so much so that my husband often has to tell me to get off my phone or computer.

9) Once I graduated college, I've only asked my parents for help one time, for a loan for a downpayment on my first house. Everything I have, I've paid for since.

10) I always end up being the "president" of the organizations that I belong to--HOA, alumni groups, work groups, etc.

11) I love to speak in public.

12) My dream job would be a "flipper", flipping houses in real estate.

13) I love folding laundry. (My second dream job would be to work for Tide "loads of hope" folding all the laundry...haha)

14) I love being in water, swimming, boating, sitting on the beach, if water is involved, I'm there.

15) I love to be snuggled at night- I'm not a good snuggler but I love to be held.

Chloe

Cowboy and I have been debating on whether or not to add to our family. I want a baby and he wanted a puppy. So we added a puppy. Meet Chloe. Chloe is a 7 week old weimaraner/German short hair mix. She is adorable. Her first night was long, lots of crying. But, knock on wood, no accidents in the house yet. Today has been much better. She is learning about us and has done better. Sadie is not thrilled that she is here but we are hoping that in a few weeks they will become fast friends.

I think we have bonded. She loves to be held and cuddled.

Daddy decided her name. Chloe was our favorite waitress at one of our favorite restaurants. Since he couldn't have the real Chloe, he got this one instead. haha