Almost Gypsy Soul

While the energy industry is falling down around me, I realize how lucky I am to have the job that I do. For those of you who do not know, I work for the US Department of Agriculture - Farm Service Agency . I run the County Office for Farm Service Agency that serves around 11.5 million acres in southwest Wyoming, Sweetwater, Sublette and Uinta counties. Our office consists of myself, 2 full-time program technicians and a part-time program technician. Through work I have the opportunity to build relationships with ranchers and ultimately walk away with several that I can honestly call friend. I've sat in nursing homes , I've  said goodbye to old ranchers who were dying in their living rooms, I've watched trucks pull way with generations of range sheep herds on the way to their new owners, I've spent hours on horseback, in the side by side, walking fences, branding and searching for sheep lost on the desert,   I've laughed and cried with co-workers, I've

I'm grateful for my health, I'm grateful for being able to enjoy the world around me. And I'm grateful for friends to share it all with.

My second date with myself wasn't technically all by myself, but these two are just too cute and since they call me Aunt they can totally be included on a date with myself....you follow? Little Boy, Miller Baby and I ran the Frostbite 5K last year. We had so much fun that we decided to do it again this year! Little Boy had his tonsils out last week and wasn't quite up for 3.1 miles, so Miller Baby and I represented the Team this year. We did awesome! We ran the whole thing and besides for earning a banana and a hot chocolate mug, we also won a $25 gift certificate in the "predict your time" contest. I think my favorite quote of the race this year was (about halfway through) "Aunt Jen, I'm tired of running"......."Me too, girl, me too". To finish out the weekend (read truth: I just didn't want to stay home and do laundry and the next showing was still at the matinee price) I went to see How to Be Single.      Appropriate for

I've been in a funk at work, not really knowing what the problem was....then I realized.....ITS FEBRUARY AND I HAVEN'T BEEN TO A SINGLE SHEEP CAMP. doh, easy fix right there! So I spent my day off in coveralls on the desert and just like that I feel better! I love it, I love spending time with my ranchers, I love meeting the herders, I love the dogs, I love the sheep and I love being in the wide open spaces. Hours melt into minutes on the desert and I honestly can't think of much I'd rather be doing than helping move camps, deliver groceries and making sure everything is ok. Q: I know most of your dogs aren't aggressive towards people, but this one is extra friendly...what's his story? A: Usually we put the guard dog puppies in a corral with sheep so that they will bond with the sheep and not with humans. Fugo didn't spend as much time in the bonding pen as he should have ie, he was "adopted" by humans. Fugo is not only a guard dog, but

It’s Groundhog Month!! So, depending on how you look at things, you may be wanting that little rascal to see his shadow, or not. This month, I honor of the rodent and the great movie it brought us, I’m throwing it back, tune wise. The City Put the Country Back in Me, Neal McCoy Blame it on Texas, Mark Chesnutt I Can Still Make Cheyenne, George Strait Western Skies, Chris LeDoux You’re Gone, Diamond Rio  Enjoy!