BLUR.

Ode to bulldoggin

It has been a HUGE week in Lethbridge, from the city’s bid event for the Canada Winter Games (#Lethbridge2019) to Whoop Up Days, there has been plenty of excitement! Last night I had the privilege of attending the Whoop Up Days CPRA Rodeo in Lethbridge. I love the rodeo. When I first married my husband we had no idea that in a few short months I’d be spending countless weekends in every rural community in Alberta watching him bulldog. This became our ‘norm’ over the next few years and even our babies went from being discharged from the hospital to attending rodeos. It’s been many years since those days and yet my appreciation for rodeo hasn’t waned. Whether it represents the best competitors in “the business” at the Canadian Finals Rodeo and The Calgary Stampede, or the up-and-coming competitors of the Foothills Cowboys Association,  or the Canadian Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, 

I try to attend.  Despite the weather, I decided to take my ‘big’ camera but it became clear early in the evening that my settings were off. It was dark and rainy, making action shots a lot more challenging, but also, interesting. The rodeo was very entertaining, the contestants had a great sense of humour, ahem Jessie Heggie, it’s not every day that you see a steer wrestler make a mud angel! Kudos to the Exhibition Park team for making the best of less than ideal conditions.

There is nothing wrong with your screens, do not attempt to adjust the picture… 

What’s your favourite rodeo event? Do you have tips for shooting challenging action shots? Leave me a comment:)

Graciously Appointed Cream Puff

We once bought a house with this exact description, and yes, we giggled, but it turns out, it worked for us! Are you interested in relocating to a rural setting, yet still live close to major centres and all the amenities that they offer? Then we have the home for you.

Building Style: Bungalow
Built in: 2006
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 3
Main Floor Space: 1739 sq ft
Land Size: 9.52 acres
Baths: 2 – 4 piece; 1 – 3 piece
Garage: Triple, Heated, Insulated

A fully developed bungalow on 9.52 acres in Strathcona County with over 3000 square feet of developed living space. House features a fully finished walkout basement, huge kitchen and dining area and an open floor plan with laminate flooring and vaulted ceilings. 3 bedrooms up and 2 down. Lower level has in-floor heat and features a large family and recreation area, gas fireplace, bathroom, den and storage room. Large 3 piece ensuite with sit down shower. Main bath features jetted tub. Triple car garage features in-floor heat, floor drain, hot and cold running water and 220 wiring. The home has central air conditioning, exposed aggregate concrete outside and a large 16 X 29 deck. Property provides great privacy on the end of a cul-de-sac and has been recently set up for horses, including new corral, horse shelter with tack room and automatic waterer. It also includes a 30 X 60 shop.

Seriously interested? A full spec sheet with many photos available! email bobbicullum@gmail.com

Cream puff optional.

Ford C-MAX Hybrid Review

The C-MAX hybrid isn’t just a different vehicle, it’s a different way of driving.

First off…I want to say this post is late. No, beyond late. Heck, the NEXT post is late too. I can pinpoint specifically when writing became a chore however I think I am slowly making my way out of the uninspired place I have been dwelling of late and I thank you for your patience!

Secondly: I am glad this post is late! No, really! As I have mentioned previously, I am a truck girl. If I am honest I had written this vehicle off before I even drove it, it looks nothing like something I would want to drive. So imagine my shock when I realized: I WOULD LOVE TO OWN A C-MAX HYBRID. Every time I discuss this car, I get super animated describing the many advantages that come with owning a hybrid, such as the battery recharging when “utilizing regenerative braking and the powersplit hybrid architecture–which allows the gas engine to work with the electric motor to maximize efficiency”. – See more at: http://www.ford.ca/hybrids/cmax/features/#page=FeatureCategory1

What does that mean? Here I am living in the boondocks, 30 minutes from anywhere, chauffering my kids for 5 days using less than 3/4 of a tank of fuel. MIND BLOWN. How is this even possible!?! Using SmartGauge® with EcoGuide it measures the recharge as a result of breaking and it almost becomes a game to see how often I can get the 100% to pop up! It should be mentioned that the brakes in a C-MAX are uber sensitive. I pretty much gave my first passenger whiplash as I stopped on a dime at the sight of a kid on a skate board.

This car feels solid; like a car of years past, which is important because this is also why I love driving a big truck. The C-MAX has a fantastic windowed roof that makes it feel larger than it is. We had more than enough space to haul anything a family of four could need on a regular basis. Combine the previous features with the technology that SYNC® for MyFordTouch® offers, and it makes for one happy family!

2013 FORD ESCAPE: Another Lifestyle Review!

I should just say up front that I am a truck girl. I’ve driven a Ford F-350 for the past 9 years and it’s been rather awesome.  When we were turkey farmers, a truck was a no brainer and we still have one to haul our horses. It has made me wonder if I am missing out, so when I was offered the chance to test drive the 2013 Ford Escape, I jumped at it.

Ok, so here I go being a total chick about it, but to be frank, the Ford Escape is pretty cute. I loved the color and the shape! We had a skiff of snow (one of the first of this winter) that week which generally throws most local drivers into a tailspin, but I liked the way the Escape handled slick roads. The 2.0 Liter EcoBoost felt powerful, but not bulky.

Why, Hello Friends!

 

 

As for the My Ford Touch blue tooth connectivity, it was not only complex to set up, but worked sporadically. However, the Sony audio system sounded great, with my playlists easily syncing and one of the best things about this particular test drive? Seeing that some of my favorite people had already tested it! 

My kids got a real “kick” out of watching me use the hands-free liftgate. Once I figured out how to work it without doing a dance, it was a very useful feature.

Overall I enjoyed my week with the 2013 Ford Escape and was more than a little sad to part with it.

For an excellent technical review of the 2013 Ford Escape, check out Tom’s blog post: http://wildsau.ca/2012/11/quick-take-2013-ford-escape/

Should it be THIS Fun? Because it is.

I volunteer a lot. No really, I mean….A LOT. It’s a fulltime gig some months!  So when my husband took on a new position at Northlands, signing the kids and I up to volunteer was a no-brainer.

Preparing flags for the Capital Ex Parade

Immediately I am impressed with the process…interviews, police checks…and assurance that my kids are in good hands while they volunteer.

Next: Orientation. You are not merely thrown into a venue and expected to help, you are introduced to and gain an understanding of the culture at Northlands.

At said orientation it becomes abundantly clear that while you have signed up to give to Northlands, they fully intend to give back…by means of food vouchers, free entrance to Capital EX, a volunteer gala…and more.  (insert me giving my kids a speech about doing something for someone without expectation of anything in return here)

For Capital EX Northlands has a variety of positions available.

Interested? Check out: http://www.northlands.com/volunteers/
Northlands Volunteer Services are continuing to accept volunteers until Wednesday July18th at 5:30pm, the volunteer office is open this Mon-Wed, 10:00am-6:00pm.

I Don’t Wanna.

Here’s the thing: lately, I have not wanted to blog. Every event I have been to, I feel like I must blog it, perhaps I even want to, but not within hours or even days of the event. I like to take in information and process it and then spew it out later.  Sexy, no?

Since I have come to the startling realization that I am my brand, what I really want to do is blog on a variety of topics. So henceforth…I shall blog what interests me.

Oh right…here is the point in my post where I ask a question to engage the reader…hmmm.

What motivates you to blog?

End tantrum.

2012 FORD F-SERIES SUPER DUTY: A Lifestyle Review

F250

It was with great anticipation that I drove the F250 off of the lot and in seven short hours it was with deep regret I failed to remember it was a long box, not giving ample room for the the back tire to clear a free standing sign, and the huge scratches that followed. Thus began my test drive.

Not my finest driving moment, by far.

There is plenty to love about this truck. Immediately noticeable is just how quiet it is and I had to stop and read the manual to be certain that it in fact ran on diesel fuel. Not only is the new 6.7-litre power stroke engine quiet, it seems more powerful than the 6.4-litre that we have in our F350. The truck has a lot of “snap” (to use my husband’s terminology) especially off the start. While my experience and preference has always been the 1 ton, I was pleasantly surprised by the 3/4 ton and what it had to offer! In fact the only negative that either my husband or I could come up with in this truck was the signal light, the way it popped back aggravated us, however this might be a control issue on our part.

GOOD TIMES!

One of the main purposes of the drive was to test the new hitch on the truck, although it wasn’t until I got it home that I realized that it came with a 5th wheel hitch while our horse trailer has a goose neck and requires a ball. What else was there to do but to put the 4X4 to the test? First up a logging road to Lussier Hot Springs near Canal Flats, BC. It handled the washboard road like a charm! While having a soak, the locals told us of Ram Creek Hot Springs, accessible only by an unserviced road near Skookumchuck, BC.  The next day we headed out, the F250 made it ALMOST all the way up to the Hot Springs when deep mountain snow proved to be too much. Could the truck have handled it? Probably. We were decidedly against spending a night up there in case it couldn’t.

The truck was plenty spacious for the four us, golf clubs, ski gear and luggage.  The navigation features, touch screen technology, backup camera and ipod input had great appeal to my tech savvy family.

CHANGE: BRING IT!

We have had quite a week…beautiful spring weather, and winter storm warnings. Spring Break, then back to school.
A wonderful send off for the Hubs from one career and a visit to HR to sign papers for the next…
Parenting on my own during spring break for 10 days, to dropping the kids off with Grandparents while the Hubs and I head off to Kimberley for 5 days for a little R&R.

Acreage change: Lake Front Property

It’s crazy, but change is relatively normal for us, and maybe our experience raising 10,000-20,000 turkeys at a time has prepared us to roll with it all a little better.  Life around here is rarely dull and this is what I love about change.

I do realize not all change is positive, and it’s for those moments I am so thankful for the rocks in my life: Faith, Family and Friends. Cliche? maybe…but for me, so true.

Here’s to the change headed your way…embrace the positive, and see the opportunities in the negative.

HAPPY EASTER to you and yours:)
~@RealTurkeyLady

Do you Know your Personal Brand?

Know your brand.

It has been said that in order to draw sponsors or monetize a blog, it is very important that you know your brand.

In case you came here for a little insight on actually knowing your brand, you have come to the wrong place!

Hello, my name is Bobbi and I don’t know my personal brand. “HELLO BOBBI!”

Hello: My Brand is....

Before you assume I haven’t done the research on this, let me assure you I have!

Every time I see a tweet or link on knowing your brand, I favorite it and read the post ASAP. Each time feeling super motivated and empowered, yet each time feeling lost and unsure. It’s like I am having a personal branding mid life crisis.

So here is what I have discovered to date: I am my personal brand. Me. Bobbi. Let’s review ME for a moment:

Woman
Wife
Mom to Tweens ( just to rule out future diaper sponsors)
Mom to football player/s
Ex-Turkey Farmer extrodinaire
Acreage dweller
Proud co-owner of 4 horses and a Ratdog
Supports local
Loyal
Happy
Social media junkie: With the exception of LinkedIn which bugs me to no end: one day…soon.
Information sharer
Outraged about any form of abuse, specifically against people, even MORE specifically against children.
Opinionated

well I could go on, but it’s about me and even I’ve lost interest…lol

At Blog West, personal branding was talked about in great detail, and I am still hearing great things about @kimpagegluckie ‘s presentation,  yet,  here I sit…unbranded.

By the way Dee Brun @CocktailDeeva threw down the gauntlet with this post: http://www.cocktaildeeva.com/who-the-hell-are-you/

How important do you think it is to know your brand? Have you taken the time to figure it out?