Category Archives: Home

Farmers/Ranchers…the next endangered species?

by nebraskawheatie

I’ve been trying to keep up with the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/USFarmersandRanchers). However, every time I go see what’s being talked about, I just get mad!

The following is MY opinion and MY opinion, only!

Why does it make me mad? Because there are a few people and a few anti-ag groups who speak up and, in turn, quiet the voices who SHOULD be talking – the farmer and the rancher. The farmer/rancher’s responses to the questions about food and animal production are oftentimes met with criticism and name calling. Once in a while, there will be enough positive ag comments from the farmer/rancher group the confidence level reveals  the truth.

So, this is what scares me. These food activists and anti-Ag groups will be the ones that will be heard by our congressional leaders. In turn, the governmental agencies who are there to “protect” us will make rules and regulations from behind their desks which will affect all agricultural businesses. We’re already seeing it with the EPA, the USDA and even the DOT. The American producer and supportive businesses simply will not be able to continue to abide by all of the ridiculous rules created by people who lack common sense.

The food activists will yell and scream that farmers are growing and selling unsafe food products, raising their animals in cruel ways, creating more dust than should be breathed, receiving more subsidies than they are entitled to, etc., etc. Do these people not realize that by generalizing all farmers/ranchers into one mold and making unfair accusations they are slowly digging a hole that really shouldn’t be dug? When the backbone of this country is forced from the farm and the ranch, we will be forced to look for our food elsewhere. We will be forced to import more of our food, leaving the safety issues behind. Will we really know how our food has been grown, fertilized, or harvested? We will be at the mercy of an unknown link in our food supply that could be dangerous to our country! When it reaches that point, those anti-Ag people will have created a monster too large to be stopped – the farmer/rancher will no longer be there to put the food on our tables.

What farmer/rancher really wants to grow unsafe food? damage the land that’s been in their family for five generations? abuse animals? The farmers/ranchers I know are in love with the land and their animals. Why would they do anything that would jeopardize their way of life and the lifestyle they love? The farmers/ranchers I know take care of what they have and do it in a way that most Americans don’t understand. How many other businesses do you know put in 12-15 hours (or longer) per day, seven days a week? Get up every two hours to check for new baby calves and bring them in the house if they need warmed? Suffer from drought, lose everything and continue the process all over again in HOPE of a good crop next year? The average American would NOT put their lives on the roulette table and risk everything like the farmer does.

I wish these food activists and anti-Ag groups would make an effort to visit more farms and ranches before they make such untrue and ridiculous accusations! I wish they would think about how their food gets to the grocery store shelves and eventually their tables before it’s too late. There are quite a few agricultural groups supporting the farmer/rancher who are trying to educate the American public. Unfortunately, I think they’re preaching to the choir! We’ve all got a story to tell and I challenge you to start telling that story! Don’t be afraid of the ones criticizing agriculture – speak up now and make them aware of the truth before it’s too late!

Here are a few links that are interesting to me:

http://nebraskafarmer.com/story.aspx?s=54218&c=9

http://usfraonline.org/

http://www.findourcommonground.com/

http://www.advocatesforag.com/

https://www.facebook.com/becomeafanofagriculture?ref=ts

http://www.agchat.org/

I get by with a little help from my friends…

by nebraskawheatie

Well, the party of the century is over and all the guests are home.

What a wonderful time we had! I had people here to help me pull this thing off and I’m so very appreciative of all of them! It took so many days to put this together and like so many events, it’s over before you know it! The evening was perfect! I can’t even think of one thing I would have changed – except to clone myself about 10 times. My brother, Matt, referred to me as a firefly. He’d see me in one spot and then look back and I’d be somewhere else. Just so many people and not enough time. I’m guessing there were at least 350 people throughout the night. Jamie and Curt should feel pretty good about the turn out. I believe it was after 2:00 a.m. before we left the building. The food was AWESOME, the band was amazing (and was local) and the crowd of people who came was unbelievable!

I can’t thank my helpers enough and won’t even attempt to thank them by name because I’d surely leave someone out. What would I do without the friends I have in my life? How could anyone get through life without them? We had people come as far away as Jordan and Billings, MT to spend the evening with us – over 1,000 miles they travelled. I honestly believe the number of friends we have is a measure of our blessings – we are truly blessed!

I will share with you the pictures I took but I’m hoping that someone else got more and got better pictures than I did. The stress of the past several weeks certainly paid off!

The meat began its tastey journey in this black bag. It was hand rubbed and marinated over night before it was placed on the smoker.

Mark & his helper, Brook.

Mark’s preparing his world-famous beans.

Brook took this picture of the guest book table.

Thanks, Matt, for helping Mark while I took off to do something else!

And the party begins…

My childhood next-door-neighbor and best buddy, Robin!! It was sooo good to see you!

Manley neighbors and great friends! We were missing one.

The wedding party, minus one. We missed you, Bekah!

We tried gathering our out-of-town guests the next morning for a farewell breakfast before they had to take off. Jamie & Curt also opened their gifts.

Linda telling one of her many funny stories – of harvest, I’m sure!

Her audience is loving it!

And the clean up begins…

I think we wore Rich out! Sorry, Rich!

Jenna looks like she’s having way more fun than she should have been 🙂

After the building was cleaned up and the naps were taken, Mark & Candi had us all over for supper at their house.

This is the only picture I have to show you the cakes that took me so long to put together. This was one of three flavors built.

After returning home from Mark’s we hung out in the kitchen way too late!! I don’t think anyone wanted the weekend to come to an end.

Collette apparently thought the kitchen sink was fun to sit in. 🙂

It’s been an eventful week!

by nebraskawheatie

It began just a week ago today. Callie celebrated her 14th birthday. We were hoping for a little bit of rain for the day so we could ALL celebrate. If it didn’t rain, that would mean Jim would have to be in the field. It also happened to be Elmwood/Murdock’s Homecoming dance and Taylor would be going to that later that afternoon. So, we went to Plan B. Plan B was taking Callie’s favorite meal (roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn casserole and homemade rolls) to the field. Jamie and Jenna offered to make the mashed potatoes, corn casserole and the birthday cake. I think I had the better part of that deal!

Jim called before noon and said we could eat in Russell’s (the farmer) garage because the wind was blowing so hard. They were cutting very close to the house and we decided to take them up on that idea! We were able to set up a buffet, eat and open presents without the wind trying to carry everything to the next county. The only “whoops” for the event was Jamie forgot the special birthday cake at home. What made it special? The two of them put some extra special love and time into that cake! It wasn’t just a cake, it was a very colorful cake. One that took some time and effort to create. They mixed food coloring with the white cake mix and blended the colors so that when it was cut, it was like opening up a rainbow.

I think by the look on her face, it was a successful party!

Taylor took off before the party was over so she could go get ready for the dance. She was so excited and had been planning this evening for at least a month. She had created her perfect outfit and was excited to spend the evening with her friends. We happened to get home before she left to go take pictures with her friends. So, we were able to get a few pictures of her and with her.

Jamie helped her with her flower and as Jamie usually does, she had to see if it smelled good.

The sisters.

She even let me get a picture with her.

The following week was spent finishing the cakes that I had spent most of the previous week baking. I had schedules and goals set in my mind and it seemed like there was something constantly trying to set me back. This week, the one of the bus drivers fell and hurt his throttle leg. They needed a substitute driver nearly every day. So…you begin to fall back on that faith that everything will be worked together and will be ok. Which it was! I even had enough spare time one morning to can 11 quarts of tomatoes. I would almost stop anything to can tomatoes! That’s a treat to have – especially if you don’t have a garden. Our friends from Montana and Wyoming were scheduled to be here Thursday night. Maybe I should say Friday morning – which they were. This brings us to today…the day of Curt and Jamie’s wedding party. We spent most of yesterday tying up loose ends and decorating the building. I think you’ll see by the following pictures that all the thinking and working paid off – so far.

The pile of gathered decorations.

157 miniature pumpkins for the tables.

The room, prior to beginning anything.

So the story is this: the candelabra was bent a little. I thought, well, I’ll just bend it back and this is what happened. Guess I should have left well enough alone!

The helpers needed a supper break. Thanks, Matt, for agreeing to stop and purchase 15 pizzas for us!

Bug Juice…

The head table is beginning to take some sort of form!

Mark taking a couple of minutes to visit with old friends from Jordan, MT. Thanks for coming all this way to celebrate with us, Tom and Shelley!

Jim – either trying to figure out what it all cost or offering suggestions, I’m sure.

The last time Jim and Tom were together for a wedding party would have been 15 years ago. We celebrated Tom’s daughter’s wedding. At that time, the third Amigo was still alive and center of attention – Charlie. We’ll certainly be thinking about you tonight!

The girls were awesome help and wanted to do whatever Jamie asked them to do.

Couldn’t have done this without the help of Jake and Rich!

The “H” – can you see it? Made with love from two ropes brought all the way from Lusk, WY (thanks Johnny!!)

The head table – COMPLETE!

Now, we’re putting up the lights outlining the dance floor.

Decorating is nearly done and time to relax and visit!

Thank you, friends, for coming to my rescue today! We pulled it off!! So, today will be last minute detail gatherings and food preparation day. Mark’s got that handled, for the most part. It’s a beautiful day! Tonight will be as perfect as it can be. I’m looking so forward to seeing people I haven’t seen in quite a while. The day will go fast and I’ll be wishing I could relive it all over again soon. It’s one of those days that I’ll be wishing I could have stored in my time travel bank!

 

 

Time for a recipe (minus pictures)

by nebraskawheatie

I’ve just about got the cakes done! The layers have been put together and all I need to do is add the pretty “stuff” to the top. I think I’ll do that tomorrow. 11 cakes complete! When they’re all on the table looking beautiful, I’ll share a picture of them with you. This will happen on Saturday. I found one of my favorite Peach Pie recipes and wanted to share it with you. We’re slightly out of fresh peach season so print it off and save it for next summer 🙂

3/4 c. sugar

3 Tbsp flour

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

dash salt

dash nutmeg

Combine all the above ingredients and add to 5 cups sliced peaches. Pour peaches  into pie crust and dot with 2 Tbsp of butter/margarine. As I said in a previous pie recipe post, I use the cheap store brand pie shells which are pre-made, rolled and in a box.  Add the top crust, cut slits to allow the steam to escape. Bake 400 degrees for 40-45 mins. You may want to put aluminum foil around the edge of the pie to prevent the crust from burning.

The week is going to go by fast and I can’t wait to see everyone who’s coming to Jamie and Curt’s wedding reception. Pictures coming soon…

The walls of this old house

by nebraskawheatie

I’ve spent the past week gathering details for the upcoming wedding reception for Jamie and Curt and baking cakes. Jamie had asked me if I’d make the layered cakes that I’ve made for graduations and birthdays for her party. At the time, I thought, “aw, what’s 10 cakes?” I had forgotten that each cake needs four layers, or 2/9 x 13’s. It’s been a challenge to get them all baked, cut and in the freezer but I did it. Starting Monday, I will start my creations with the goal of being done with them on Thursday. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…

This past week has also been a time to reflect on the past 26 years of living in this house. I woke up one night and stood at the kitchen sink with only the street light providing the glow I needed to see what I was doing. I stood there looking out the window, as I have done so many times, thinking if only these walls could talk. I thought of all the times they’ve seen the quietness of a night interrupted. Interrupted by me while pregnant having to get up and go to the bathroom, with the cry of hungry babies needing fed, with screams from nightmares that needed comforted, with kids needing to crawl into bed with mom and dad, with coughs that needed attention and now with us older folks needing to get up for a random drink of water or use of the bathroom.  It’s always been that street light and its warm glow coming through the window that has helped guide the ones getting up to tend to the interruptions of the night.

Have you ever wished you could go back in time? I don’t know if it’s my age, or the changing season, or too much time on my hands. I’ve thought about how wonderful it would be if when we were born, we were given at least a week of random days that we could go back and hold those babies again, or visit grandparents, or go to a favorite place or smell a comforting smell. Would a week be long enough?

The leaves are falling and a new season is upon us – one that I don’t like so very well. I don’t like the winter and its bleakness and most of all the cold. The only good thing about winter is its necessary to appreciate the spring – the season of new life and hope. I think our lives are a little like seasons. I’m seeing a new season just around the corner. One that I’m not so sure that I’m going to like so very well. That winterish season will show its colors when the last of our four girls graduate and leave the house. The walls will not see the usual activity and chaos that has been here and a part of most of my life. The winter is necessary to appreciate the spring – the colors, the smells, the beauty and the new life. I think it’s the realization that my kids are growing up and moving on that has started these thoughts. I get so caught up with the activities of life and what must happen that I sometimes wonder if I’m enjoying and appreciating each and every day to its fullest. Today will one day be one that I’ll wish I could go back to. Today I feel so much older but one day in the future I’ll think about this day and realize just how young I was. Does this make any sense? I think I probably should get busy and stop thinking about things so hard!

One week from today, friends and family will be starting to come to celebrate and rejoice in Curt and Jamie’s marriage – the beginning of their new life together. A new season is about to come in full view for the two of them – one that they’ll look back on one day and wish they could revisit. Life happens in the blink of an eye and I can only hope that theirs is lived to the fullest! The walls in their house have so much to look forward to!

P.S. the camera caught the typical Jamie I-don’t-know-why-she’s-crying facial expression. Jamie was always whooping on her little sister. But, Jenna took it well and now they’re the best of buddies!

When can I breathe?

by nebraskawheatie

We’ve been home from Montana just a little more than three weeks. Wow…seriously? Seems like it’s been three months!

Every single day has been a day full of something to do or somewhere to go. I feel like I’ve been running a race going about 100 mph with not a lot of time to stop and rest. It started with the cleaning of the dead bugs and spiders from the house, to unloading the trailer house, to cleaning the yard of ginormous weeds, back to the trailer house and completely unloading and cleaning it (because it was moving to Oklahoma with a new family), to more cleaning of the gardens, and now to reception planning and doing (as well as volleyball games and driving bus for activities and routes).

Some days, I seriously don’t hardly have enough time to stop and take a breath before the next thing on my daily schedule starts. Oh, how I miss the kick-back-way-of-life summer wheat harvest has to offer! This busy schedule that I’m trying to stay on top of is beginning to wear me down and I feel like I’m not accomplishing anything. One week from tonight, I will have baked 20 cakes (which will eventually be turned into 10 layered cakes), food prepared and my house ready to welcome guests. Want to make any bets on whether or not I get it done? I continually try to work it all together in my head reassuring myself it’ll all get done. There will be late nights and early mornings but it’ll get done.

Once the reception is over,  it will be back to the field with my truck trying to keep the household and the kids’ schedules running as smoothly as they can with my limited amount of time. It’s times like this that I really have to remember “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” Philippians 4:13.   There is absolutely NO WAY I could do all that needs to get done if I didn’t have my faith and my God to look to. I sometimes have to just throw my hands up in the air and scream out, “I can’t do this on my own anymore!” Once I do that, I can feel the wheel being taken from my hands and watch it move on its own. Things begin to fall into place and I begin to meet my schedules and goals a whole lot easier when I step back and remember I don’t control ANYTHING. I’d like to think I have it all in control but I can guarantee you that I don’t.  Everything that’s on my plate attempts to bring me down; however, once I remember, “when God brings you to it, He’ll bring you through it” it all starts to fall into place. And…if my house isn’t clean, so be it! I think my friends will understand.

One of these days, I will stop and catch my breath – when the snow flies!

Saying goodbye to a “friend”

by nebraskawheatie

My goodness – it’s been a LONG time since I posted on here. The days have just flown by due to the busyness of this time of year. This is EXACTLY the reason I hate fall harvest! Too many irons in the fire and not enough day to get it all accomplished. Unlike wheat harvest and there’s ONE thing we have to focus on.

For those of you who know me, this won’t come as a surprise to you when I try to explain my feelings regarding this subject. For those of you who don’t know me, this may help you understand me a little better. I’m a little weird with getting rid of or doing something different from what I’m used to or comfortable with. Yesterday, I watched my trailer house leave the yard behind someone else’s pickup and I felt sad. I truly felt like I was saying goodbye to a friend – one that I had gotten comfortable with and had become a part of the family.

You may remember in a previous posting while we were in Montana that I said I had put the trailer up for sale online – last year. The only people I heard from were other selling sites wanting me to advertise with them because their site was the one that would take it off my hands. When I answered the phone late last week, and the voice on the other end asked if the trailer was still for sale, I answered with my cautious question of, “is this a private individual or someone wanting me to advertise on your site”? When the woman’s voice answered that it was a private buyer, I sort of had mixed feelings – excitement that someone was interested and also deep down hoping that it wasn’t what she was looking for. Well, the longer we chatted, the more excited she became because she had a young family and was anxious to move into something that would fit their growing family and their way-of-life. Their job required them to live in a trailer year round.

I had sold a trailer through this website before only it didn’t happen nearly as fast as this one did. Before I knew it, on Thursday I was told this lovely family was coming to Manley to look at the trailer with intentions of buying. They’d be here Saturday (today). The trailer was full of our “stuff”. This meant I was going to have to box everything up and Taylor was going to have to get her belongings out. (Taylor’s in the process of painting her room so everything she owned was being stored temporarily in the trailer house.)

I had been cleaning off the flower gardens but guessed I should change course and start emptying the trailer – just in case they liked it well enough to buy it. I had two full days to get the job done. My mom called Thursday morning and volunteered to come help me. Thank goodness she did! As we were emptying, I received a phone call that plans had changed and this lovely family was leaving southern Oklahoma yet that night and would be here Friday afternoon. My life has been at a full run since we got home so I thought I HAVE got to get this job done today (Thursday) because Friday was full. Mom and I emptied and started cleaning knowing that I was going to have to leave at 2:30 to drive the school bus for a sports activity. Yikes! I got home about 9:00 and immediately went out to the trailer and worked until 2:30 a.m. Needless to say, when I came in from the trailer I felt satisfied that it would be in good enough shape to send with them – should they decide to buy.

Yesterday (Friday) went on as it had to – with no breathing room to spare! The lovely family from southern Oklahoma showed up about 3:30 and decided at 5:30 they were going to take my little cottage on wheels home with them. It was so much fun to watch the two little girls go through it and whisper back and forth to each other about where their stuff was going to go. The oldest of the three was a boy of 13 and he was going to have a room of his own for the first time. They were all smiling from ear to ear. I knew my “friend” was going home with the RIGHT family! I honestly believe the circumstances that led up to them driving out of the driveway with it was a God thing! Had to be. Not only did it go home with the RIGHT family, I feel like I’ve got new friends that I will definitely stay in contact with! I’m still feeling the ache of missing it, though, when I look out the door and it’s gone. On the plus side…I get to look for a new friend!

Today (Saturday), started very early this a.m. I drove the bus to the school about 5:45 a.m. to pick up half of the band and head to Grand Island for the Harvest of Harmony parade. I learned today this is the 3rd largest parade in the nation featuring marching bands – the Macy’s parade and the Rose Bowl parade lead the way. It’s also  the largest parade  featuring marching bands in the state of Nebraska. This year marks their 70th year.Taylor is one of six girls on the flagline. Unfortunately when I’m bus driver, I don’t get to watch the parade or the band but I get to hang out with the kids. We bus drivers stay in or very close to the bus at all times until the band has been picked up at the end of the parade. Harvest of Harmony organizers have got this process down to a “T”! They are a well oiled machine when it comes to keeping over 100 bands and their busses in order! The band placed 4 out of 30 Class C bands. They were disappointed because last year they walked away with the top trophy. However, not many bands can say they have placed in the top 4 bands for the past six years. I’m proud of the Elmwood/Murdock marching band!! They are a great bunch of kids being led by a WONDERFUL band director!

Two weeks from tonight, we will be celebrating Curt and Jamie’s marriage with a long-awaited wedding reception. They were married in Florida on April 1 and decided it would be best to wait until after the summer wheat harvest to celebrate. It’ll sure be good to see so many family and friends all together in one place! I know Jamie will be glad, once again, when the planning is complete and the party is a success. For those of you coming, I can’t wait to see you!

The band marching towards the bus – from my point of view.

Looks like they’re being told what to do next.

 The flagline. Taylor is on the far left.

Nice job, Tate!

The Elmwood/Murdock marching band. You’re ALL winners in my book!

Whew!

by nebraskawheatie

Wow, is it really only Wednesday?

This has been one crazy week and it’s only midway through. It feels like my world is on a roller coaster…maybe a Farris wheel? Hmm…maybe more like the Fun House! I sort of feel like I’m running and not exactly sure where I’m headed. I’d like to think all of this will come together soon and my life will be a little more of an unchaotic state.

You know. I’ve mentioned before how I really don’t like the coming home stage of harvest. Well, it seems to be working double time on me this year. Is it because I’m getting older and slower or is it because I try to do too much at one time? I just want to get my trailer house emptied, cleaned and be done with that job. Nope…just can’t happen. I think I’m doing pretty good to get about three laundry baskets of items removed and put away in the house. Then, it’s either a phone call that I need to take, a bus route that needs driven, or volleyball game to be watched.  Tonight, it was a trip to church to be with some really awesome kids!

I really didn’t want to go to church tonight because I just want to get something accomplished. However, tonight was JUST what I needed.  I was included in the kids’ “chat” about what was going on in their lives, their stresses and concerns. I certainly felt the touch of Jesus tonight and it felt awesome! It was the most relaxed I have been in a great while! I honestly didn’t want it to end. Funny how Satan almost kept me from enjoying it.  Those stressed out kids were just what I needed!

Speaking of kids, I need to tell you about the day I had this past Saturday. Callie had a volleyball tournament so had to be in Murdock at 7:00 a.m. (Probably one of the earliest mornings I’ve had in quite a while) Once I got her there, I turned around and came back to Manley and had a cup of coffee with my brother and then the two of us headed to town to watch Callie play. After being there for a little while, Mark and Candi brought Brooklyn and Jillian to the school for me to babysit as they were headed to a Nebraska football game. After watching Callie play her second game, we made a mad dash to the car and headed for Nebraska City to watch Taylor march in the Apple Jack parade.

Saturday was not a nice day to be standing outside. It was wet and cold. I had on my Carhart coat, gloves and a stocking hat and still felt the cold. Those two little girls didn’t have a clue it was cold. Maybe one reason was they were too concerned about catching the candy being thrown from the parade floats. We had a great afternoon watching the parade and FINALLY the band we came to watch made its way down the road. I think they were like second to last. Nice job, by the way, Elmwood/Murdock marching band! They took second place.

After the parade had marched its last band and floated its last float, we made our way down to the end of main street to view the Missouri River. All summer long I had been hearing about the flooding and wanted to see what it looked like for myself. It was still extremely high and over Highway 2 but it had dropped a good 10 – 12 feet lower than the highest point. I was impressed by what I saw and wished that I would have been able to see it at its peak height.

Matt and I decided to see what we could see at the Lewis and Clark overlook. It was such a drizzly day and so much fog, we just couldn’t see the flooded valley as I had hoped we would. We walked around the area for a little while and the girls decided they really would like to take a few pictures. I have to share these pictures with you simply because it’s fun to see what they feel is worthy of a picture.  From the Lewis and Clark overlook, I took the kids to an apple orchard for a caramel apple and some apples to take home.

You know, I sort of see a pattern here – spending time with kids is just what I needed this week! And it’s only Wednesday.

 These were all taken at the Lewis and Clark Overlook.

And now, for your viewing pleasure, photos taken courtesy of Brooklyn and Jillian. Click on the picture to view them in a larger version:

Back home with Callie being silly (Brooklyn) and Jillian grinding coffee beans – one of her favorite things to do at our house!

And I wonder why it takes me so long to get back in the groove!

by nebraskawheatie

The week’s recap:

“Home, home” on Saturday night.

Spent the entire day on Sunday reclaiming my house from the spiders and vacuuming up dead bugs.

Monday a.m., I’m on the school bus picking up kids and taking them to school. The afternoon was spent washing the outside of the trailer house. It was FILTHY from the road grime that had collected all summer. Thank goodness it was early enough in the “getting home” process that I was able to talk Jim into helping me. I’ve done that job by myself way too many times and appreciate the help when he can give it! Later that afternoon, I was back in the bus delivering kids to their homes. And the rest of the day was finishing the chore of washing the trailer house.

Tuesday was spent getting book work completed and important issues taken care of. Geesh…it’s amazing how much time that takes! You should have seen the box of mail I had to go through. Most of it was garbage and it wasn’t able to clutter the kitchen table very long. Late Tuesday afternoon, I headed to Elmwood to watch Callie play volleyball. She’s a pretty doggone good little player and didn’t even get to participate in any of the summer “camps”. It’s really too bad the coaches put such an emphasis on the summer time participation! Our high school coach told me when Jenna was in high school that her playing time would depend on her summer time. “Well”, I said, “She’s not going to be able to participate because she’ll be with us NOT because she doesn’t want to be there”. He stuck to his statement. However, Jenna LOVED the sport and continued to work hard even though she didn’t get to play very often. She stuck with it her entire high school career. By the time she was a senior, though, the parents from the stands were yelling, “put Jenna in”. I was so proud of her for not quitting – I probably would have! I hope it’s not like that for Callie, but it probably will be. Do these coaches REALLY think every kid on their team is going to go on to college as recruits??? Let the kids play and have fun!

We got up bright and early on Wednesday morning and loaded in Mark’s truck. Everyone went except Candi (she got sick the night before), Taylor and Callie. We spent the entire day walking the Husker Harvest Days’ grounds and it literally takes ALL DAY! Saw some familiar faces and enjoyed being together. Actually, it seemed like we were on the phone most of the day trying to find Jim (he likes to talk). However, they did have to look for me once. I stopped to chat with someone, turned around and everyone was gone. Then, I went the wrong way looking for them and ended up getting farther away. If you haven’t been, you should go! There’s something for everyone. That evening, we were invited to a supper put on by New Holland. It happened to be in the same place our USCHI convention was last March and will be again next March. It was fun standing in the same place we had previously been in and remembering the good times. “Chances R” (York, NE restaurant) served the food and it was OUTSTANDING!! Thank you New Holland!

Thursday was spent doing more paperwork items in the morning and a few things did get put away. Then, it was back on the bus driving the cross country team to an event. I got home shortly after 9:00 last night.  Another wasted day!

Jim left early this a.m. to head from some town on the Iowa/Illinois border to pick up a corn head. Maybe I can get something started with the unpacking process today – or at least get our bed made in the house. It’s chilly today so I won’t have to worry about sweating too much 🙂

Pictures are from Husker Harvest Days:

Entering the grounds.

 

Showing off their New Holland clothing. Jamie had on a shirt like Jenna’s but was too cold to show it off.

Jenna meeting a couple of the guys she had interviews with this summer for The High Plains Journal.

I took this picture for Callie. The prior owner of this bus was Justin Bieber.

One more picture of the grounds before we left.

Before leaving Grand Island, Mark had to make a quick visit to the New Holland Support truck.

Jenna found a picture of our combine hanging up inside the truck.

One more day

by nebraskawheatie

I sort of got real busy with trying to clean the dead bugs and spiders out of my house here at “home, home” and I didn’t get my story put together yet. I will, though, just give me another day or so 🙂 In the meantime, I’m going to share Callie’s song one more night because my post last night didn’t get transferred to my Facebook page.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYc9HqzjUAI