I am back (again)

Wow. I just figured out that there is an app for blogger, which I use for this blog. I might finally get a little regular with this blogging.

Thanksgiving is Over.

Well, Thanksgiving is over. I am so blessed to have spent Wednesday with Mom's family and Thursday with Dad's. We ate lots of amazing food. I went Black Friday shopping with Mom, Aunt Kathy and Aunt Phyllis. For the first time, we went to Searcy instead of Batesville. I finally bought a Wii. I got the blue one for $99. I went to school today to work on my classroom. I was going to decorate, but I am not sure if the tree I found was mine or someone else's, so I am going to wait. I did put up some "glass" balls, which equaled lots of glitter all over the place. Not cool. 3 weeks of school until Christmas break. This year is going fast, not that I am complaining. I love my kids and my colleagues. Well, until next time.

Thanksgiving is getting close!

Last week was tough. I didn't get to work on Tuesday and Wednesday; because, I was sick. I tried to go back on Thursday, but I didn't feel too great. On Friday, I woke up coughing up blood. I knew I had to go to the doctor, so I started calling as soon as I got to work. I finally got a call to be there asap at 9:00, so I left work and went there. (My aide is the best and took care of everything while I was gone.)
Since I was a work in, I had to wait a long time before they could get to me. When they got to me, the doctor didn't like what he heard in my lungs, so he did some blood work and x-rays. The results came in and.... Bronchitis. I have been on meds, and I am starting to feel better. I am still coughing some. The worst part is that the entire top half of my body hurts from coughing. Not fun.

I have decided something. If I had lots of money, I would be in trouble. I love buying cows. It is fun to look for a good deal and then see how the good deal works out. I have actually sold a couple cows lately. I had over-ran the place I have rented, so I am getting down to just 5 or 6 cows and my bull. If I keep taking care of the place, it can handle that many okay. I have one heifer that should calve pretty soon. She is a black, Longhorn cross heifer bred to the Saler bull I used to run. I gave that bull back to Doc and bought a registered, Black Angus bull. I am also moving away from the spotted Longhorn cows and trying to cater more towards the solid, black, beefy calves to sale. They are what the buyers are looking for.

I am so ready for Thanksgiving. Mom's family is getting together on Wednesday, and Dad's family is getting together on Thursday. Mom, Aunt Kathy and I are going shopping on Friday. That should be fun and interesting. It will definitely be fun.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
God bless.

I am (kinda) back

Wow! I haven't been on here in a while. I have started my 2nd year of teaching at Newport Junior High School. I am classified as a Literacy teacher, but I also teach one class each of 7th and 8th grade Social Studies, Drama and Creative Writing. I miss teaching Pre-A/P English, but I feel like I am learning more about teaching this year. I am already looking forward to whatever next year brings.
I have built my cattle herd up a little bit. I have 6 mature cows, 1 bred heifer and 1 heifer getting close to being breeding age. I also have 5 calves that will be ready to wean soon. I bought my first registered bull this fall. He is a weanling Black Angus bull, and I am looking forward to seeing how he crosses with my cows.
I still have several horses. I have 2 broodmares, 2 weanling fillies, 1 gelding, 1 riding mare, and a gaited filly. I traded for the gaited filly, or I definitely wouldn't own her. I was lucky to find a girl in the area that is riding horses. I actually rodeoed with her when she was just a little girl. She is doing a great job. She is training my riding mare, and I hope that I will be able to start riding her soon. She is doing a good job with her, and I am very proud.
Until next time, See ya!

Christmas Break

Today is the 2nd day of my 1st Christmas Break as a teacher, and I am loving it.
I have stayed up late and slept in.
I have a list of things to do that is a mile long, but I want to enjoy this first week of break.
I love being a teacher at Newport Junior High School.
My students are wonderful, and I have become very attached to them.

I am also staying very busy with my cows.
I now have 6 cows and 2 heifers expecting calves.
I also have one heifer that will get put in with the bull in the Spring.

We lost our Paint stud, Olena Winters, this fall.
He is the horse that Joey calf roped and pole bended on.
I also enjoyed riding him.
I bred two of my mares to him, and I am glad that I didn't wait until 2011 to get them bred.
I have a 2 year old Paing gelding out of our stud that I need to start working with.
I have not worked with him since he was a weanling, so it may be interesting.
I had not planned on ever working with colts again, but I want to at least get this horse started before I send him to a trainer.
I want to buy an older roping horse.
I would like to trail ride and start barrel racing.
I love riding the trails, but I also love the speed of barrel racing.

I have started looking at trucks.
I went to test drive a 2006 Ford F-150, but it wouldn't start, so I took it as a sign that it was not the vehicle for me.
I am going to go look at a 2005 Toyota Tundra sometime on break.
I need something that I can drive around the farm and pull a trailer with if I need to,
but I will probably drive it back and forth to Newport to school.

I hope everyone is doing well.
Have a Merry Christmas.
God Bless.
-Jonathan

Day 28

I am a college graduate!!!

I have a job.

It is not a teaching job, but it is a job for the summer

I am working at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville.

They have a Community Education program.

I am working with the director/coordinator.

I have spent this week inputting data into the computer.

I am so ready to know where/what I will be teaching next year.

I have talked to a principal at an elementary school,

but he has not called me back to set up an interview.

I know that God has a plan for my life.

I have always struggled with letting God work,

but I am learning that He will direct my path if I allow Him to.

God bless.

Day 27

I can't believe that I will be graduating from college in 11 days.

It has been a long 4 years.

I haven't found a teaching job yet, but I know that God has a place for me.

All I can do is pray for His guidance and will.

I am finishing my last week of student teaching this week,

and I hate that I have to leave this place.

My students have been so wonderful this year.

I am going to miss them, but I really believe that they are prepared for the future.

I am ready for the future.

I am ready to have a classroom that is mine,

but I have to admit that I am going to miss Mrs. Sandy.

She has been wonderful to me this year.

I just keep reminding myself that God is in control.