We Are Smart! LOL!

Ok so originally I named this post "We are Fakers" because of my fake-out custom furniture. But really - it's not fake - it's smart! (Thanks Ana) So this is our Pottery Barn style desk for thrift store prices! :) Murray and I (really Murray - I just supervised) built our first DIY furniture! It was pretty easy and soooo much cheaper than going to Pottery Barn to buy a similar desk.... The similar desk at PB is around $700....give me a break people! That's crazy! We bought the materials to make TWO desks for about $160....and had enough left over to make two new nightstands for us big folks!

Anyway - here's a pic of Jordyn's purdy new desk! :) Once Darian cleans her room I'll put up a pic of hers...it has a pink top ($2.50 on the Oops Paint Shelf). Jordyn opted for the yellow top and I love it! :) She does have a flair for decor, I love how she had decorated her new desk...

Branding Time!

Murray and I were invited to go to our first branding this weekend! I have to say that it made me smile from the moment I arrived to the moment I left. It was an amazing time, I was so happy to see this part of Wyoming life.

I was not sure what to expect, but I had read up on some of the different aspects of branding. There would be the branding, of course. And some immunizations. And some testicle removal.

Yep, I said testicle removal. But my dear husband Murray was convinced that the latter would not be happening.

Me: I think they're going to remove their testicles.*

Murray: No, I think they band them. So, like, that takes care of it.

Me: Well...maybe SOME people do that. But I don't think that's gonna be the case here. I am just sayin'...there might be some testicle* removal. I'm a little wigged out.

Murray: Nope. I'm thinking not.

Me: (Mumbling) You're wrong.

Murray: Did you say something?

Me: I love you honey.

(*Note: I didn't use the word "testicles" - I used silly childish slang/pseudonyms. I'm new here. Don't judge me.)

So Murray left early to help with the branding and by the time I got there he was an old pro. He totally had the technique down. There is a technique. I don't know it because I just took pictures.

So within moments of arriving Murray got to show off his mad calf holding skills! Oh boy! Let me get my camera!!! So Murray and another guy have the calf pinned down and a third man comes to do the brand while a young lady administers a shot. When the smoke cleared they let the calf go. Hmmmm...it appears that they FORGOT about the testicle removal.

Me: So, um, they're not removing the testicles*?

Murray: Yes, they are.

Me: Well, why didn't you do it to that one?

Murray: Because that one was a girl.

I have a lot to learn about branding.

No matter. I stuck around and got to see about 100 more calves get branded and half of them got de-testicled, and I totally found a new appreciation for ranchers. The roping, the hard work, the comraderie and just the ruggedness - I had never seen anything like this up close - and it was real! Not like, John Wayne movie stuff, but real people. What an amazing group of hard working folks.

Afterward there was a great meal....complete with a sampling of deep fried testicles*. Yep, we tried it. Nope, won't eat a whole plate of it.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I LOVE Wyoming. God called us here and said "I want you ALL IN." Here we are Lord - grateful.