Ahhh...country living.
This morning I was looking out my kitchen window, sipping my cup of coffee, and listening to the sound of my dishwasher running because I forgot to start it last night...because that's my life these days.
I see nothing but miles of fields and pastures, with cattle like tiny polka dots scattered all over them. I hear nothing but the sound of buffalo grunting, a rooster crowing, and my goat banging his head on the window. I look over and see him fighting his reflection and pooping in my landscaping - the magic of the morning is over.
How did I get here?
I grew up just over an hour from where I live now, but it's a whole different world. Pierre's not a city by any means, but I grew up 2 minutes from Walmart, within walking distance from my best friend's house, and within biking distance from school.
The only animal knowledge I had was our tiny dog, Gypsy, who lived inside with us and my hamster, Chip, that lived for maybe two months. I wasn't exactly prime "ranch wife" material...not sure how I pulled the wool over Alex's eyes.
In college, I studied to be an elementary teacher and dreamed of city lights. I loved the hustle of Bismarck - I LOVED being able to go shopping for anything, at any time, and just look at it because I had no money. I enjoyed eating out (which is partially why I had no money), going to local events and shows, and being able to grab a fancy coffee before student teaching every day. I couldn't imagine life any other way.
Then...love. That darn thing. Makes you realize what real happiness is and away you go.
The summer before I graduated, I did a traveling Bible camp (Totus Tuus). We traveled to towns around South Dakota and taught kids about Jesus, faith, and the Rosary.
My mom told me to prepare myself; small town people always try to get you to meet their nephew, son, grandson, etc. because they need wives. I was prepared. I was focused. I was taking a man-cation.
The first town we stopped at was Wessington Springs. A lady that brought us lunch had a blonde baby who I couldn't help but hold. I love babies and he was the best. He burped up on me every time, but I kept coming back for more. About two days in, she came up to me and asked if I was single.
Insert Jaws theme song music.
"I am." - Keep it short, Cassandra. Mom warned you about this.
"Well, I never do this, but my brother....insert sales pitch...."
"He sounds nice"
Lady number two, "Oh he's great! He...insert sales pitch..."
I smiled and went back to playing with the baby. I don't remember what exactly I said - I was getting burped up on again.
A day or so later, the loving sister brought it up again. She told me she had talked to him, and this was REALLY not something she'd ever done before but she just knew she needed to. He told her if she got my number, he'd call. Then, "Here's a framed picture of him and my other sister...she's in heels, he's not that short. I'll just put in on the counter for you to look at when you have time. No pressure."
Come to find out this was my loving brother-in-law's idea...he wanted to make sure I didn't think they were setting me up with a big, hairy cyclops.
A few ladies would throw out a comment here and there about how great of a guy he was. I started to think small town people were CRAAAAAZY.
The last day came...his sister walked up to me and gave me a post-it with his address and phone number on it, just in case I changed my mind. I laughed.
I had been praying about it all week - I didn't feel like I was being led away from her. I liked the sounds of the sales pitches I'd heard. His family seemed like great people.
That afternoon, we were about to head out, people were picking up their kids and I could feel his sister and brother's whole families watching me.
Oh...dear...here goes nothing.
I walked over and gave her my number. I figured if he was a weirdo, I'd just stop answering and that was that.
Dang...it was just starting to get good, but Sophia's starting to turn up the volume...and my coffee's cold...and the dryer buzzed awhile ago.
Back to 2019 I go!
Today's prayer request is for our family this week - especially on Monday.
This morning I was looking out my kitchen window, sipping my cup of coffee, and listening to the sound of my dishwasher running because I forgot to start it last night...because that's my life these days.
I see nothing but miles of fields and pastures, with cattle like tiny polka dots scattered all over them. I hear nothing but the sound of buffalo grunting, a rooster crowing, and my goat banging his head on the window. I look over and see him fighting his reflection and pooping in my landscaping - the magic of the morning is over.
 |
| "Hey lady! What're you eating in there? I want some!" |
How did I get here?
I grew up just over an hour from where I live now, but it's a whole different world. Pierre's not a city by any means, but I grew up 2 minutes from Walmart, within walking distance from my best friend's house, and within biking distance from school.
The only animal knowledge I had was our tiny dog, Gypsy, who lived inside with us and my hamster, Chip, that lived for maybe two months. I wasn't exactly prime "ranch wife" material...not sure how I pulled the wool over Alex's eyes.
In college, I studied to be an elementary teacher and dreamed of city lights. I loved the hustle of Bismarck - I LOVED being able to go shopping for anything, at any time, and just look at it because I had no money. I enjoyed eating out (which is partially why I had no money), going to local events and shows, and being able to grab a fancy coffee before student teaching every day. I couldn't imagine life any other way.
Then...love. That darn thing. Makes you realize what real happiness is and away you go.
The summer before I graduated, I did a traveling Bible camp (Totus Tuus). We traveled to towns around South Dakota and taught kids about Jesus, faith, and the Rosary.
My mom told me to prepare myself; small town people always try to get you to meet their nephew, son, grandson, etc. because they need wives. I was prepared. I was focused. I was taking a man-cation.
The first town we stopped at was Wessington Springs. A lady that brought us lunch had a blonde baby who I couldn't help but hold. I love babies and he was the best. He burped up on me every time, but I kept coming back for more. About two days in, she came up to me and asked if I was single.
Insert Jaws theme song music.
"I am." - Keep it short, Cassandra. Mom warned you about this.
"Well, I never do this, but my brother....insert sales pitch...."
"He sounds nice"
Lady number two, "Oh he's great! He...insert sales pitch..."
I smiled and went back to playing with the baby. I don't remember what exactly I said - I was getting burped up on again.
A day or so later, the loving sister brought it up again. She told me she had talked to him, and this was REALLY not something she'd ever done before but she just knew she needed to. He told her if she got my number, he'd call. Then, "Here's a framed picture of him and my other sister...she's in heels, he's not that short. I'll just put in on the counter for you to look at when you have time. No pressure."
Come to find out this was my loving brother-in-law's idea...he wanted to make sure I didn't think they were setting me up with a big, hairy cyclops.
A few ladies would throw out a comment here and there about how great of a guy he was. I started to think small town people were CRAAAAAZY.
The last day came...his sister walked up to me and gave me a post-it with his address and phone number on it, just in case I changed my mind. I laughed.
I had been praying about it all week - I didn't feel like I was being led away from her. I liked the sounds of the sales pitches I'd heard. His family seemed like great people.
That afternoon, we were about to head out, people were picking up their kids and I could feel his sister and brother's whole families watching me.
Oh...dear...here goes nothing.
I walked over and gave her my number. I figured if he was a weirdo, I'd just stop answering and that was that.
Dang...it was just starting to get good, but Sophia's starting to turn up the volume...and my coffee's cold...and the dryer buzzed awhile ago.
Back to 2019 I go!
Today's prayer request is for our family this week - especially on Monday.
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