While I'm Away

Enjoy a picture of my picturesque surroundings... Evergreen, CO is GORGEOUS place to get married!

Until next time,
~ Buzzard ~

He Loves Me So Much..

He married me TWICE!

Last night, I posted this picture to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter:

"Pretty low-key Monday night. Just getting remarried...no big deal. #newlyweds"

And my feeds blew up with hilarious comments about not really being married for the first two years, the absence of a marriage license, cake, readers and the comment that inspired this title from Celeste Harned "Poor Frobose, how many times is he gonna hear 'I'm so awesome you married me twice.' Lol." Way to go Celeste, I did literally laugh out loud at that one.

This story is so ridiculous I have to share it - I swear I couldn't make this [insert word for manure] up.

Starting from the beginning...

We got married in January 2011 and moved to Australia a mere three weeks later. Because my passport and travel visa were in Buzzard, and three weeks isn't enough time to change them, I stayed Brandi Buzzard for the entirety of our trip.

Upon returning to the U.S. I embarked upon the crappy path of name change. Fellas, you ought to buy your wives two dozen roses and an old bottle of wine for taking on your name, especially when it's not near as cool as her own. Name change just doesn't happen with the exchanging of vows and rings. There are forms [gasp] and waiting in line [double gasp] and it actually isn't cheap by the time she purchases new checks, a new passport, changes the title of her vehicles, new driver's license (we'll get to that), etc. It's also extremely time consuming  and a massive headache. No wonder so many women decide not to change their names - if I hadn't promised him a long time ago that I would change it, I totally would stay Buzzard instead of becoming Mrs. Ninja.

Anyhow, I've legally been Brandi Lynn Buzzard Mrs. Ninja [Buzzard is my middle name. You didn't think I'd get rid of it completely did you? tsk tsk] for about a year. Social security card, bank accounts, employment records, insurance, credit cards - all of that has been changed. The last thing I needed to do was change my driver's license so I took my new social security card and the 18 forms of ID that the DMV requires into the County Treasurer's Office and waited impatiently for 1.5 hours until it was my turn. 

I was so proud. And so dumb. Proud of myself for having all the proper forms of ID, utility bills, blood sample, tattoo and everything else that is required for a new plastic ID card. And so dumb because I actually believed this was going to be a smooth process. #Idiot. How many times have you gone to the DMV and left with your new card on the first try? NEVER.

The fella starts processing my form and although I can't remember the actual conversation, [this event took place last fall(ish)], he asked why the box on the bottom of my form didn't have a legal name in it. ruh-roh.

*Sidenote: While we were in Australia, the DMV or some higher power, decided that marriage licenses needed a box at the bottom denoting what the legal names of the married individuals will be after the cake is gone and the emotional roller coaster is over. OUR marriage license had no such box. I know this because I had the original and there definitely was no option for that.

I informed the oh-so-delightful employee that my license didn't have that and if he would just process my forms and snap my picture I'd be on my way. Nope - not happening. He told me that I had to have that box filled in since I was not dropping Buzzard and was instead adding it as a middle name. This seems unfathomably stupid to me but I don't make the rules, I just whine about them. He also told me that I could legally change my name by filing a civil court case and making an ad in the paper letting folks know I was changing my name and it would only cost approximately $200. Then I would bring that form back and proceed as planned. 

I felt the need to repeat to him several times that my legal name ALREADY had been changed and that my driver's license is not the Holy Grail of legality in the U.S. How do we keep track of children under the age of 14 without driver's licenses? Holy cow - they must not exist without a driver's license! He wasn't buying it.

I bid him bad good-day and then drug my semi-lifeless body to the County Clerk's office to schedule my pointless court date and began mentally preparing myself for the anguish of telling The Ninja about the whole process. As I stood glumly in the clerk's office, I was met with some good news from the clerk ladies who told me that I could just get remarried and file a new marriage license which would be far cheaper and much less time consuming. HUZZAH!

So, after double-checking several times that this was actually legal, The Ninja and I tied the knot [again] last night and went out for celebratory drinks.

I've had several people ask why they weren't invited and if we did something wrong. We even got an offer for a toaster [yes, please]. There were only 5 of us there - The Ninja, me, our two witnesses ([hanks swine graduate students] and the Judge. We didn't fill the judge in on the background, at this point I just wanted to get it over with and done.

So now I can finish out changing my name - as you may have noticed/read, I've legally been Mrs. Ninja for quite some time and had changed all my social media outlets etc a long time ago. But I can now finish the last few steps that require a driver's license. Halle-freakin'-lujah.

Summary: we have actually been married the entire time. We now have two marriage licenses, two wedding dates and one anniversary [I'm not celebrating this headache]. I am a little disappointed though, The Ninja didn't get me a gift, a flower or whisk me away on another surprise honeymoon to Fiji. Bummer. But at least we're still married and I do love him so there's always that!

The Ninja told me last night that I should try to share this story so that other brides know what a big pain in the butt it is and I agree. It shouldn't be this difficult. If we can legally tie ourselves to someone after a three day wait and $85 and then expect half of their worldly goods if the marriage doesn't work, why is changing the name to reflect the promise so difficult?

I'm shooting to get on Ellen. She's hilarious and like I said, you can't make this stuff up.

Anyone else have any ridiculous post marriage frustration stories to share?

Until next time [with ag related info],

~ Buzzard ~

p.s. If you stop calling me Buzzard, we stop being friends. Capice?

The Mush Continues...

Don't fret - this is the last mushy post of the year (probably). But I just have to share the details on our 2nd anniversary.

THE NINJA KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK.

I woke up on Tuesday morning and was getting dressed and curling my hair and he said, "Make sure you bring something to wear to watch the game" and I immediately thought he wanted to go to Aggieville to watch the Cats. So when I asked him where we were going to park our butts for the game, I was shocked for him to say "Section 1."  I flipped out, y'all. Did my happy dance around the bedroom, jumped on the bed - the whole caboodle. Day officially made. Nobody knows me better than the Ninja. This was the absolute perfect present - I wasn't sure how he was going to swing planning a great date AND working the game in but he totally scored major husband points for catering to sports fanatic Buzzard.

So it makes perfect sense for the rest of the day to drag ooooooooooooon. When 6 pm rolled around and I got these puppies in my hand, I had the biggest possible grin on my face. Cheesin'

 That's my boy - McGruuuuuuuuder

I make the Ninja smile for pictures on special days. He doesn't like it but he obliged when I held up my 2 Years sign for us to take a photo with in the Octagon of Doom. Many of you saw it on Instagram (follow me @brandibuzzard) Tuesday night but here it is again for your viewing pleasure. 

 The other side said "We Are K-State" and had McGruder's number on it which also happens to be the same day as our anniversary. Coincidence?

And just for good measure, here's the one from last year:

Look at that hand-crafted beauty of a sign.

 So the game didn't quite turn out like I had hoped but I was thrilled to see that we can easily hang with KU. McGruder had an off night and KU only had 7 fouls called against them in an entire game but it's over and I"m looking forward to the game this Saturday against Iowa State. 

And just because he is amazing, he got me a dozen roses to boot. I'm not the kind of girl that needs flowers, but I don't know a girl who doesn't appreciate them. And these are sure making my office look and smell very cheery!

Warning: here comes the mush. I've said time and again I'm a very passionate person and the Ninja will attest to that. I can go from passionately happy to passionately ticked in the same hour but I'm of the frame of mind that normality is over-rated. I am so unbelievably blessed to have married a man that appreciates and loves all of me, all of the time. He never reads this blog but maybe he'll see this. Who knows.

I am so grateful for the Ninja's ability to love a red-headed, loud-mouthed, stubborn, quick talking, passionate tomboy. I'm glad he sticks with me although I'm not entirely sure that if I were a horrible chef that he wouldn't leave me. So I guess I'll keep frying and baking to keep him around. Like I said, I don't believe in being average and I found a great old movie quote that pretty much sums up our life together:

"Unless it's mad, passionate, extraordinary love, it's a waste of time. There are too many mediocre things in life, & love should not be one of them."

Until next time (with waaay less mush),

~ Buzzard ~

Dos Anos

That's two years for the non- Spanish speaking.

Dos anos ago, this happened:

Ah, sweet wedded bliss.

So today this week, things are going to be a little more mushy on the blog. I can't help it. I love the Ninja. A lot.

Last year, I shared the details of how we spent our first wedding anniversary and I'll be doing the same this year. I always (does two years count as always?) put the Ninja in charge of these things because he blows them out of the water. Seriously, so thoughtful. But until then, here are some of my favorite photos from the big day and the festivities afterwards. And these aren't your normal cliche, picturesque photos (well a smidgen of them might be) but are the outtakes and hilarious candids from a day of love and laughter; family and friends. I even narrate - enjoy!

 We did this exact same thing at her wedding a few weeks ago - can't

 keep a straight face around that gal!

 The Ninja missed the 'be serious' memo

 What's not to love about this picture? They were in unison for a good 10 seconds. epic.

 Two reasons I like this photo: 1) I love having a picture of the Ninja and I praying together 2) My dad and the groomsmen decided to pull a little prank. Check out his shoes!

We stood in the door for a few minutes because we were supposed to wait for the music to change and it was awkward.

 Photo fail by the Ninja. I must have said something hilarious, as usual.

 Again, miscommunication between the photogs. I thought we were supposed to look gangsta, while Becca obviously went the more photogenic route. We did this at her wedding too.

 Andy, the best man, talked about how he warned the Ninja that I 'was a handful.' A handful of awesome! (notice the empty Crown Royal bottle so early in the night)

 I love all of these guys (well, most of them - right, Rooney?)

 Papaw and I

I love what a great big-brother my husband is - he's going to be a fantastic father!

 Not our first dance but I love that the Ninja has some great dance moves now. He didn't have any when we met - mega points to me for having rhythm and being able to teach him how to two-step and swing dance.

 The power of prayer with my best ladies

 Cheap shot, Ninja. Thank goodness for cousins to wipe cake off my face. Thanks, Court.

No wedding in Manhattan is complete without swing dancing at Longhorn's. in your wedding dress. to this song.

 See? I told you I taught him how to dance.

All photos by Grant Watkins (except the bar photos)

What are some of your favorite photos from weddings you've attended or your own wedding?

Until next time,

~ Buzzard~

101 in 1001 Update

Ok, it's been quite a while since I last gave an update on my 101 in 1001 so I thought I'd do some blog filling and catch you up.

Since my last update, the goals I have completed are:

5. Go to bed before midnight every weeknight for two weeks -
  This was really hard because I'm a night owl but I managed to pull it off by scheduling it the same time as Ninja's project when I was getting up at 5-6 every morning to weigh, sort or slaughter pigs.
38. Consolidate/forward all email accounts down to 2
24. Refrain from purchasing any item of clothing, accessory or footwear for 1 month - today is one month since I purchased anything and I am in Perth currently and likely won't buy anything while I'm gone soooo... success!
51. Muster the courage to play blackjack in a casino - preferably win - Only won about $20 total and then lost it all back but still, yay me. This was in Calgary when I attended the ILC 2011.
59. Find the perfect cocktail dress - color insignificant I may have gone overboard - I now have two. A grey one and a black one. Here is the black one:

At my bff Rebecca Tokach's wedding (rehearsal dinner) with two great guys. This picture doesn't do the dress justice but you'll have to trust me on this one.

57. Scuba dive somewhere exotic - Great Barrier Reef 7/2011

This is me and the hubsy after diving the Great Barrier Reef. To read more about that trip, click here.

69. Watch the sunrise and sunset in the SAME DAY - Lamington National Park - 6/2011

I'm not an early bird, so this was difficult but it happened on our roadtrip with Andy, Mandy and Kristen to Queensland. Read more about that trip here and here. This was in Lamington National Park - I didn't get a sunset picture but take my word for it that I was awake for that occasion.

70. Attend an opera, symphony or musical - Love Never Dies 9/2011

Ninja took me to see this opera the day I got back from the states. Read more here.

25. Eat 5 exotic/uncommon foods (Thai seafood 4/12/2011, Tofu Steak 5/2011, Kangaroo 6/2011, Crocodile 7/2011, Octopus 7/2011)  -- Crocodile is chewy but good. Octopus is mediocre, at best. KANGAROO IS FREAKING AWESOME - as good or better than venison.

and these are the goals that are currently in progress:
9. Celebrate one of life's little achievements once/month for 12 months (1/12)
12. Watch 5 movies that Ninja loves that don't interest me (Apocalypse Now, Papillon)
27. Call /visit my grandparents once/month for 12 months (3/12)
29. Attend 6 of Kristy’s sporting events/school events/4-H stuff - (Bourbon Co. hog show, Bourbon Co. beef show - these were on separate days so they are separate events)
49. Pay off my small credit cards - Maurices, Victoria's Secret
55. Face 3 fears (claustrophobia 7/2011, heights 8/2011)
58. Create a wardrobe I love. (This is defined as a closet full of clothes I am equally happy to wear).  This will be complete when my closet is full - it's currently about 1/2 full ;)
68. Purge and donate old clothes from closets at least three times (1- 7/2011)
72. Learn how to make Grandma’s fried chicken, chicken n’ noodles and divinity candy  -- Grandma taught me how to make fried chicken and I practice the art when I got back to Aus. The Ninja loved it and I must say it was purty tasty.

77. Volunteer once/month at a breadbasket, food pantry or other comm. service 6 times (5/2011 - Red Shield Appeal;)
79. Donate 25,000 grains of free rice through Freerice.com (4010)85. Say 'I love you' EVERY day for entirety of 1001 days
88. Attend church once/month for 12 months (6/12)90. Read the books from this list98. Post every day for 1 month on From Oz to Aus - I've posted 22 days in a row - another 8 days and this one is done!
In summary:
Goals completed- 14  (it seemed like a lot more than that)
Days until end of 1001 - 824

Father's Day

Father's Day isn't celebrated in Australia until September, but being as how I'm a red-blooded American, I'll be 'celebrating' today. Obviously, I can't be there to spend time with Podge, but I sent him a card and hopefully he's received it.

This is the first time in 10 years I haven't been with my dad on Father's Day and it's pretty rough. To tell you the truth, most holidays are rough down here without my parents, friends and family. Anyways, I wanted to post a few of my favorite pictures of my dad and I (he'll probably never read this post because I don't think he even knows about this blog), but since most of my pictures are stored away in SEK, this one from the FroBuzz wedding will have to suffice.

He and my mom gave Hyatt and I a dream wedding - we had a blast. 

How are you celebrating Father's Day? Grilling out? Going fishing?

Miss you, Podge!

Until next time,
~ Buzzard ~

What has FroBuzz been up to?

2 weeks -- that's how long we've been Mr. and Mrs. (although I am unable to change my name until after we return from AUS, if I decide to at all) and the question of the day is "How is married life?"  Allow me to expound on the  post wedding day happenings:

- We packed up the FroBuzz trailer to depart for SEK, then OH and we'll finally head to the honeymoon and AUS in about 10 days.
- We go about our daily activities - paying bills, cooking dinner, watching Family Guy - same ole same ole.
- We continue to argue about stupid things - whether or not 'broach' is an appropriate word, who has to make the bed (see? I told you they were stupid things)

Are you seeing the pattern yet? NOTHING HAS CHANGED -- MARRIED LIFE IS NO DIFFERENT.  Are we sad? Not at all - because we are the same people post wedding as we were pre wedding and that's who we fell in love with :)

The wedding was magical and the party was phenomenal.  Ask anyone who went, they'll probably tell you they had a blast.  Here are a few pictures of our awesome day.

Oh so formal

The ring got stuck

 Cutting our awesome cake (thanks @t_roon)!

Dancing the night away

and the kiss!



As I said, we leave for Australia (honeymoon on the way) on February 15. I'll probably be MIA on the blog until we arrive but *hopefully* I can crack out a few posts to release during that time. Don't hold me to it though.

Until next time,

~ Buzzard ~

post script - STILL don't know the destination of the honeymoon. Just in case you were wondering.

Mission: Angel Food Cake -- COMPLETE!

As I write this, I am sitting in a hotel room in Manhattan, KS with three of my best friends after a busy day of wedding decorating, rehearsal and drinks out with family. It's my last night as a full-fledged Buzzard, and I'm having difficulty dealing with the reality. Boom.

Anyway - the last time I posted, I had completed 15 of the required 30 cakes. I baked a few more cakes between then and last week.  At 2:30 a.m. this Friday morning, I finished the last of cakes.  Tonight, at our rehearsal dinner, I present 5 cheesecakes and 3 angel food cakes which catapulted me to the 30 mark!  I have no idea if I'm headed to Fiji in 3 weeks, but the mere fact that I completed the challenge against Hyatt's predictions makes me feel awesome!

Feast your eyes on the heavenly dessert bar!

Getting married tomorrow -- hello January 22, where did you come from?

Until next time,
~ Buzzard ~

A Glimpse into the House of FroBuzz

So I've been promising a post about the FroBuzz trailer for quite some time -- that time is now. 

***Disclaimer*** -- the trailer has been painted since these pictures were taken so it looks much nicer.

 Having a little BBQ at the FroBuzz casa

Our lovely yard decoration -- the only thing we put up for Christmas.

Our neighbors are really nice but they have some character flaws -- these were their yard decorations at Christmas.

I don't have any pictures of the inside of the FroBuzz trailer, but it's about the size of an office cubicle so you can use your imagination!

Planning for the FroBuzz wedding is in full force -- 10 more days!

Until next time,

~ Buzzard ~

p.s. -- Look for an exciting new blog update in the next couple weeks - I think you're gonna like it!

Doing Chores..... in a wedding dress!?!?

This post is prompted the fact that the FroBuzz wedding is exactly two months away - cripes.  This morning I was sitting in my future in-laws kitchen thinking about wedding plans and remembering what other friends had done at their weddings.  All of a sudden I remember waiting for my good friend Bailey to arrive at her reception for what I thought was a lengthy amount of time.  Wanna know why the guests had to wait for the bride and groom to make their long awaited appearance?  They had left the wedding and gone straight home so they could feed their cattle and horses..... while still wearing their dress and tux!!

Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of this event however, just imagine a bride and groom walking around in the mud feeding cattle and horses while their wedding reception and guests anxiously await them.  That's dedication and a pretty damn good example of how farmers and ranchers NEVER take a day off - not even on their wedding day. This week, please take time to thank a farmer for providing us with a safe and abundant food supply.

Until next time,
~Buzzard~