City Slicker to Cow Tipper

This was actually one of the title options for this blog, but I didn't want to get called a "faker" considering I'm not technically from "the city." I am from Long Island, New York, about a 30-40 minute commute to Penn Station. Born and raised in suburbia until I moved out to Idaho. 

What am I doing in Idaho? This is the number 1 question I get when someone has asked where I am from--also New Yorkers are always looking for a way to make it known they are from New York into a new conversation. So here's the long answer: After High School, I came out to college and got my degree in Social Work (also the nickname Andi), I worked for a Child Advocacy Center for about 4 months before I met my handsome cowboy-- I should explain here that at the time I met him I didn't know Zeke was going to be a cowboy. He was going to school and I legitimately thought I was dating and then marrying a soon to be pharmacist but plans change and people grow and almost 7 years later we are living in the middle of no where on a ranch with some cows of our own. We also have a 2.5 year old who might love this ranch more than his dad, if that is possible, and keeps us pretty entertained. 

Why did I start this blog? Um I've heard it all once people hear I am A) a New Yorker and B) I live in isolation on a ranch:

 Green Acres

&

Pioneer Woman aka Ree Drummond

This first was a hysterical show I sometimes caught bits and pieces of on Nick at Night and didn't fully understand--but still sang the song really really loud when it came on and the second well she is just the best. DON'T argue and don't fight it... I cannot express how cool she is and if I was anything like her this blog would not need to exist. 

My blog is about me learning literally everything from scratch: 

~the LINGO (cow/ranch/farm/Idaho/toddler)

~the cooking (I knew how to cook before but this is different and you'll soon learn why)

~the shopping (10% fun, 90% intense essential to survive shopping)
~ the ranch work (Social Work prepared me to wear many 'hats'-- up here I can go for a hired hand at any given hour)

~living in a small town where everyone knows each other & likes each other for the most part
~the solitude (I sometimes feel like Superman in my fortress of Idaho winters)

~how to not lose my NY identity (I still have a NY # and you'll have to pry it from my dead fingers!!) 

~Et cetera

When I've shared experiences with family and friends all over the world I get laughs and interest in my life out here and what Zeke does, so I decided to share my learning experience online. I am not perfect, my life is a series of Pinterest/Pioneer Woman fails and constant introductions to Murphy's Law sprinkled with laughter, love, some questioning,and growth. 

I hope you enjoy, learn, and laugh about it with me!!!

PS- Now that I've been around my fair share of cows, I have absolutely no idea who can/wants to tip a cow...They are huge and the little ones run away and are also not little!! 

A view of the Ranch