We have been busy, busy, busy lately. Let's see our give a quick preview of the last couple of weeks.
Cow Business
We had been anxiously awaiting the birth of our first Lowline calf and we got a call early one morning that she was in labor. I got a call from Dan later that morning that the calf was breach and died during the birthing, I felt so bad for the calf and her momma and my husband was not someone that you wanted to be around that day - he had large dollar signs in his head, especially since it was a female. (I won't tell you what the calf was worth, but it was quite a bit). So we will wait a couple of months and try to breed her again with our own bull. Wish us luck.
Visitors
Pam and Courtney flew in to visit, my other cousin Natalie had volleyball tournaments in Denver, so they came a day early and stayed at our house. It was a great visit, I took a half a day off the next day and took them to their hotel in Denver and did some shopping and went out for supper. My dad, his farm hand, Joe (highschooler) and Landon also drove out for a visit the same day the Pam and Courtney arrived, so the first night we had a full house. Courtney and I took some beverages and sat in the hot tub for an hour. It was a great visit. The first night we just ordered pizza and did some visiting, everyone was pretty tired from travelling. The next day was the trip to Denver. Friday I had to work, so my dad drove back to Denver and picked up Courtney and then took all the kids to Estes Park and they did some great sight seeing and played a round of golf. Everyone was very impressed with Courtney's golf game. They came back to the house and we hung out for the night. Late to bed and early to rise. The next day was Saturday, Dan took Landon with him and went to work to bid on an Air Conditioner, yes, people out here already want to make sure they have for the summer, you wouldn't believe how many calls we have gotten already. The rest of the crew piled in the car and we went back to Denver and dropped Courtney back off at the hotel so she could watch her sister play in the tourney - I don't drive to Denver often and never without exact directions, just get stressed, well I forgot that Saturday was St. Patty's day and the huge Denver parade, so needless to say I had to scrap the mapquest directions to the hotel and wing it, we did get Courtney back safely. Next we were off to our first trip (and Katelynn's) to the Denver Zoo, Dan and Landon met us 15 minutes later. We had a good time, it was pretty neat, the animals were all African animals. Katelynn liked the Monkeys, Giraffe's, and the Elephants. A lot of the animals were sleeping or laying down when we were there - at times I felt guilty for being there to see them in a cage and then sometimes not - oh well. We will probably go again. Sunday we went out for breakfast and the last of that company left.
I had one day off to get my house in order and get a meal together for Dan's aunt and uncle that were driving through Colorado on Tuesday and were coming over for supper. Whew, when you don't get a little time in between visitors it can start to wear on you! But I pulled it off, house was clean, supper was wine, salads, a chicken meal, biscuits and dessert. We also had a good night entertaining them and they were very happy to meet Katelynn for the first time.
The Television
So today the TV repair guy finally came over and put a replacement part in our big screen TV and it seems to be working - thank the Lord. The TV broke on Dec. 29th and got fixed today on March 28th - 3 months. I warn people, be aware of the companies and products you buy, they don't care about you after you purchase the product and they get your money in the bank!
Katelynn Update.
Katelynn is now 18 months old and had her dr.'s appt. today. She weighs 27 lbs. and is really tall for her age. Her doctor predicted that she will be 5.9 in height - can't go wrong with that! She is doing extremely well verbally - today on the way to the appt. she was in the back seat singing "No more monkey's jumping on the Bed" - I've never heard her sing this before, it was pretty exciting. She can now count up to 13 (although she eliminates the number 7 every time, but we're working on it). So she is good and a good hearted little girl. She is bringing more and more joy to our lives everyday.
Take Care,
Taryn.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Chapter 5 - The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands
Chapter 5 - "Huh? Honey, What did you Say? What did that mean?"
Marital communication would go much better if women would accept without rancor that men simply have a different way of communication styles and imperatives.
The difference between men and women starts in the womb and a study was done to show the difference between boys and girls before their first birthdays. A barrier was placed between the child and his or her mother. The boys, wanting to get back to mommy, try to get around or over the barrier, or they try to knock it down. The male response is physical and it's aimed at solving the problem. The female children, on the hand, verbalized their distress, and their mommies came and picked them up. The female response is verbal.
As children grow up, parents notice that their daughters are unbelievably verbal and usually prone to high drama. These same parents notice that their sons are "men of few words" but lots of action.
The biggest mistake that wives make in communicating with their husbands is to imagine that their husbands are supposed to be their girlfriends.
So basically, this chapter is about how we wives communicate with our husbands. A couple of things that have been mentioned is how we may "unload" on them, example - hubby comes home from work and we start telling him everything and everything that happened that way and how we feel about it. Another is how we give too much detail when we do communicate, we tell every detail of our story and eventually hubby may start to zone out and not truly be listening - an example that was given was, if hubby came to you after watching a football game and told you every play that happened in all 4 quarters, would you still be listening? Usually, men will tell you their team won the game and maybe one great play they saw - end of story. (I have to admit after reading this I know that Dan has told me a time or two - get to the point!)
Dr. Laura goes on to say that again, men are more physical in nature and communication to them is an embrace, a smile, a warm look across the kitchen table.
Here is an a piece from one guy who wrote in about communication:
"Woman need to realize that we are just going to do stupid stuff. That doesn't make it malicious or a personal attack on them. When we do these stupid things, we don't need retaliation. We are usually embarrassed enough on our own. We need forgiveness. We men usually walk away from conflict with our wives without hostile thoughts, but unforgiveness on the woman's part will just hold them captive and build into more resentment. Forgiveness is the key to any successful relationship, in marriage or out, sometimes you should give it if it is deserved or not.
Here are some complaints that men have listed to us wives about communication:
1 - Woman are very good at dropping subtle hints when they want something. If I don't figure out what is wanted, then I am insensitive, uncaring or oblivious. Please make simple requests.
2 - I don't know how to tell the difference between my wife wanting advice and just venting.
3 - A man needs to know what a woman wants and needs before little things build up in reality or in her mind. A man is not a mind reader; don't nag, but you must be blunt sometimes.
4 - Be Direct!
5 - If there is something you wish to talk to us husbands about, begin with the subject. Don't work your way towards it; tell us up front you want to talk about, for example, discipline for the children, spending habits, or something you're dissatisfied with. Don't drop hints that are hard to follow or unintelligible. We need to be alerted to whether this is about small talk or something serious.
6 - Men are not mind readers. Many a time there are situations where men have apparently done something wrong with no clue what it was or when it happened. I can't fix the problem if I don't know what it is.
So I really shortened this chapter up (maybe I'm lazy tonight or this one just didn't pull me in as much as others). These are good thoughts for us women to keep in mind when communicating probably with all men, but especially our husbands. Again, Dr. Laura always says, take a step back and look at how you are treating them - would you want to be with you?
Marital communication would go much better if women would accept without rancor that men simply have a different way of communication styles and imperatives.
The difference between men and women starts in the womb and a study was done to show the difference between boys and girls before their first birthdays. A barrier was placed between the child and his or her mother. The boys, wanting to get back to mommy, try to get around or over the barrier, or they try to knock it down. The male response is physical and it's aimed at solving the problem. The female children, on the hand, verbalized their distress, and their mommies came and picked them up. The female response is verbal.
As children grow up, parents notice that their daughters are unbelievably verbal and usually prone to high drama. These same parents notice that their sons are "men of few words" but lots of action.
The biggest mistake that wives make in communicating with their husbands is to imagine that their husbands are supposed to be their girlfriends.
So basically, this chapter is about how we wives communicate with our husbands. A couple of things that have been mentioned is how we may "unload" on them, example - hubby comes home from work and we start telling him everything and everything that happened that way and how we feel about it. Another is how we give too much detail when we do communicate, we tell every detail of our story and eventually hubby may start to zone out and not truly be listening - an example that was given was, if hubby came to you after watching a football game and told you every play that happened in all 4 quarters, would you still be listening? Usually, men will tell you their team won the game and maybe one great play they saw - end of story. (I have to admit after reading this I know that Dan has told me a time or two - get to the point!)
Dr. Laura goes on to say that again, men are more physical in nature and communication to them is an embrace, a smile, a warm look across the kitchen table.
Here is an a piece from one guy who wrote in about communication:
"Woman need to realize that we are just going to do stupid stuff. That doesn't make it malicious or a personal attack on them. When we do these stupid things, we don't need retaliation. We are usually embarrassed enough on our own. We need forgiveness. We men usually walk away from conflict with our wives without hostile thoughts, but unforgiveness on the woman's part will just hold them captive and build into more resentment. Forgiveness is the key to any successful relationship, in marriage or out, sometimes you should give it if it is deserved or not.
Here are some complaints that men have listed to us wives about communication:
1 - Woman are very good at dropping subtle hints when they want something. If I don't figure out what is wanted, then I am insensitive, uncaring or oblivious. Please make simple requests.
2 - I don't know how to tell the difference between my wife wanting advice and just venting.
3 - A man needs to know what a woman wants and needs before little things build up in reality or in her mind. A man is not a mind reader; don't nag, but you must be blunt sometimes.
4 - Be Direct!
5 - If there is something you wish to talk to us husbands about, begin with the subject. Don't work your way towards it; tell us up front you want to talk about, for example, discipline for the children, spending habits, or something you're dissatisfied with. Don't drop hints that are hard to follow or unintelligible. We need to be alerted to whether this is about small talk or something serious.
6 - Men are not mind readers. Many a time there are situations where men have apparently done something wrong with no clue what it was or when it happened. I can't fix the problem if I don't know what it is.
So I really shortened this chapter up (maybe I'm lazy tonight or this one just didn't pull me in as much as others). These are good thoughts for us women to keep in mind when communicating probably with all men, but especially our husbands. Again, Dr. Laura always says, take a step back and look at how you are treating them - would you want to be with you?
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Dog, Cat Food Recalled After Pet Deaths
WASHINGTON - A major manufacturer of pet foods sold throughout North America under dozens of store names is recalling millions of containers of its products while working to determine what caused kidney failure and some deaths of cats and dogs.
Menu Foods said Saturday it is recalling dog food sold under 46 brands and cat food sold under 37 brands and distributed throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The pet foods were sold by major retailers, including Wal-Mart, Kroger and Safeway.
A complete list of the recalled products along with product codes, descriptions and production dates is available from the Menu Foods website, http://www.menufoods.com/recall. Consumers with questions can also call (866) 895-2708.
"At this juncture, we're not 100 percent sure what's happened," said Paul Henderson, the company's president and chief executive officer. However, the recalled products were made using wheat gluten purchased from a new supplier, since dropped for another source, spokeswoman Sarah Tuite said. Wheat gluten is a source of protein.
An unknown number of cats and dogs suffered kidney failure and about 10 died after eating the affected pet food, Menu Foods said in announcing the North American recall. Product testing has not revealed a link explaining the reported cases of illness and death, the company said.
The recall covers the company's "cuts and gravy" style food, which consists of chunks of meat in gravy, sold in cans and small foil pouches between Dec. 3 and March 6.
The pet food was sold by stores operated by the Kroger Co., Safeway Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and PetSmart Inc., among others, Henderson said.
The company said it makes pet food for 17 of the top 20 North American retailers. It is also a contract manufacturer for the top branded pet food companies, including Procter & Gamble Co.
P&G announced Friday the recall of specific 3 oz., 5.5 oz., 6 oz. and 13.2 oz. canned and 3 oz. and 5.3 oz. foil pouch cat and dog wet food products made by Menu Foods but sold under the Iams and Eukanuba brands. The recalled products bear the code dates of 6339 through 7073 followed by the plant code 4197, P&G said.
Menu Foods' three U.S. and one Canadian factory produce more than 1 billion containers of wet pet food a year. The recall covers pet food made at company plants in Emporia, Kan., and Pennsauken, N.J., Henderson said.
Henderson said the company received an undisclosed number of owner complaints of vomiting and kidney failure in dogs and cats after they had been fed its products. It has tested its products but not found a cause for the sickness.
"To date, the tests have not indicated any problems with the product," Henderson said.
The company alerted the Food and Drug Administration, which already has inspectors in one of the two plants, Henderson said.
Menu Foods is majority owned by the Menu Foods Income Fund, based in Ontario, Canada.
Henderson said the recall would cost the company the Canadian equivalent of $26 million to $34 million.
Menu Foods said Saturday it is recalling dog food sold under 46 brands and cat food sold under 37 brands and distributed throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The pet foods were sold by major retailers, including Wal-Mart, Kroger and Safeway.
A complete list of the recalled products along with product codes, descriptions and production dates is available from the Menu Foods website, http://www.menufoods.com/recall. Consumers with questions can also call (866) 895-2708.
"At this juncture, we're not 100 percent sure what's happened," said Paul Henderson, the company's president and chief executive officer. However, the recalled products were made using wheat gluten purchased from a new supplier, since dropped for another source, spokeswoman Sarah Tuite said. Wheat gluten is a source of protein.
An unknown number of cats and dogs suffered kidney failure and about 10 died after eating the affected pet food, Menu Foods said in announcing the North American recall. Product testing has not revealed a link explaining the reported cases of illness and death, the company said.
The recall covers the company's "cuts and gravy" style food, which consists of chunks of meat in gravy, sold in cans and small foil pouches between Dec. 3 and March 6.
The pet food was sold by stores operated by the Kroger Co., Safeway Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and PetSmart Inc., among others, Henderson said.
The company said it makes pet food for 17 of the top 20 North American retailers. It is also a contract manufacturer for the top branded pet food companies, including Procter & Gamble Co.
P&G announced Friday the recall of specific 3 oz., 5.5 oz., 6 oz. and 13.2 oz. canned and 3 oz. and 5.3 oz. foil pouch cat and dog wet food products made by Menu Foods but sold under the Iams and Eukanuba brands. The recalled products bear the code dates of 6339 through 7073 followed by the plant code 4197, P&G said.
Menu Foods' three U.S. and one Canadian factory produce more than 1 billion containers of wet pet food a year. The recall covers pet food made at company plants in Emporia, Kan., and Pennsauken, N.J., Henderson said.
Henderson said the company received an undisclosed number of owner complaints of vomiting and kidney failure in dogs and cats after they had been fed its products. It has tested its products but not found a cause for the sickness.
"To date, the tests have not indicated any problems with the product," Henderson said.
The company alerted the Food and Drug Administration, which already has inspectors in one of the two plants, Henderson said.
Menu Foods is majority owned by the Menu Foods Income Fund, based in Ontario, Canada.
Henderson said the recall would cost the company the Canadian equivalent of $26 million to $34 million.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Welcome Danielle to the Trautner Family
Congratulations Katie & Eric. Baby # 2.
Born: 03-09-2007
Birth Time: 8:58 pm @ St. Cloud Hospital
Weight: 7 lbs 5 oz Length: 19 in
Welcome to the world and to our family !
Born: 03-09-2007
Birth Time: 8:58 pm @ St. Cloud Hospital
Weight: 7 lbs 5 oz Length: 19 in
Welcome to the world and to our family !
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Daily Life
I am anxiously awaiting the start of my show tonight "LOST" and have a few minutes to burn, so I thought I'd give an update.
The cows made it home safely and we are still waiting for the calf to be born. However, Dan failed to mention until yesterday that we are the proud of owners of not only 2 Lowline cattle (with one on the way), but 3 Lowline cattle, he bought another one when he was home, Oh Joy (that is sarcasm, in case you didn't catch that)! Saturday is the big day that Katelynn & I are going to be introduced to the new members of our clan. I have been giving these cattle some thought and Dan's experience some thought after asking him numerous questions regarding the cow and the bull and the calf on the way and determined that I know more about cows than my husband does, I am stating this now - this is not going to be my "thing" or "hobby", this is Dan's expensive hobby. He already asked me if I would halter the cows on Saturday since they are haltered trained and we are going to have to work with them to get them ready for the stock show next year - What?! This is not a we situation here buddy. I will keep you posted on this subject matter.
Next subject - THE CELL PHONE BILL. I called Sprint the other day because our cell phone bill was incredibly high and it's always been the same every month. Dan went over his minutes last month - how in the heck do you do that when you have 1000 minutes a month and all of your incoming calls are free. Needless to say he got an ass chewing and it must have sank in because tonight he is making all of his phone calls on the land line (which has unlimited long distance, this was also explained to him yesterday).
Katelynn Update. What a joy she has been lately. She is learning everything so fast and is soaking up so much knowledge. She is very proud of herself as well. She will point at everything around the house and tell us what it is. She is using two and three word sentences already and is learning to count. The terrible two's attitude has peaked its ugly head through a few times and I can see that it will be a trying time, she definitely has my attitude "It's my way or the Highway People". Dan can't wait to see us butt heads. It was still nice out tonight when we got home so we actually got to spend a little time in the backyard, Katelynn was so happy to see her swing and just swing away while watching the cats run around the backyard and listen to me and Dan talking.
Hope everyone else is having a terrific week !
Taryn.
The cows made it home safely and we are still waiting for the calf to be born. However, Dan failed to mention until yesterday that we are the proud of owners of not only 2 Lowline cattle (with one on the way), but 3 Lowline cattle, he bought another one when he was home, Oh Joy (that is sarcasm, in case you didn't catch that)! Saturday is the big day that Katelynn & I are going to be introduced to the new members of our clan. I have been giving these cattle some thought and Dan's experience some thought after asking him numerous questions regarding the cow and the bull and the calf on the way and determined that I know more about cows than my husband does, I am stating this now - this is not going to be my "thing" or "hobby", this is Dan's expensive hobby. He already asked me if I would halter the cows on Saturday since they are haltered trained and we are going to have to work with them to get them ready for the stock show next year - What?! This is not a we situation here buddy. I will keep you posted on this subject matter.
Next subject - THE CELL PHONE BILL. I called Sprint the other day because our cell phone bill was incredibly high and it's always been the same every month. Dan went over his minutes last month - how in the heck do you do that when you have 1000 minutes a month and all of your incoming calls are free. Needless to say he got an ass chewing and it must have sank in because tonight he is making all of his phone calls on the land line (which has unlimited long distance, this was also explained to him yesterday).
Katelynn Update. What a joy she has been lately. She is learning everything so fast and is soaking up so much knowledge. She is very proud of herself as well. She will point at everything around the house and tell us what it is. She is using two and three word sentences already and is learning to count. The terrible two's attitude has peaked its ugly head through a few times and I can see that it will be a trying time, she definitely has my attitude "It's my way or the Highway People". Dan can't wait to see us butt heads. It was still nice out tonight when we got home so we actually got to spend a little time in the backyard, Katelynn was so happy to see her swing and just swing away while watching the cats run around the backyard and listen to me and Dan talking.
Hope everyone else is having a terrific week !
Taryn.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Monday, March 05, 2007
Playdate Pictures
Katelynn and I hosted the playdate for February. Here are some pictures that a friend of mine took that day.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Grandma & Grandpa Davids
Here are some pictures of Katelynn and Dan's parents. We had such a great time when they were visiting and Katelynn warmed up to them immediately.
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