This is Curt & Jamie’s home. The colors have not been edited or enhanced by any means! Beautiful, gorgeous, awesome, amazing picture taken by Taylor.

Well, we did it. We broke down and turned on the furnace earlier this past week. All at once, summer turned its steamy head and walked away! I wouldn’t be too upset, though, if it decided to come back for a little while. I was thinking about a day this summer that I thought was almost the hottest day I could remember. I remember this day in particular because we were cutting barley and I was trying to keep the barley chaff from filling the cab of the truck – so I had the windows rolled shut when both combines came to dump. It seemed like Ed’s green combine would unload the bin faster than Jim’s (maybe he had his idled down some). Anyways…by the time Ed was done emptying his bin, the sweat was rolling from head to toe. By the time Jim finished, I literally wondered if I was going to die in the cab of that truck! When Jim FINALLY finished, I jumped out of the truck to tarp the box. When the breeze hit me – I thought I was going to freeze to death! I remember goosebumps forming before my body realized it was over 100 degrees!

This past week sort of came and went in a blur. I will give you a low down of the happenings and TRY to keep it as short as I can.

Monday, October 1

No school for the girls – a three day weekend! The reason for no school was Parent Teacher conferences…ALREADY! It was also the very last day of Harvest 2012 for Zeorian Harvesting. Who woulda thunk it!? We were done before we’re even getting a good start on a “normal” year.  I’m pretty sure Jim is enjoying the down time but maybe also a little lost.

Tuesday, October 2

Jim had made a phone call to a farmer near McCook, NE that had some beans that needed cut. We were given the ok the night before by the farmer to come out, look at the job and visit with him. So, Jim and I made a quick trip to see if it would work out for us to add a few more acres to our season. This was the first time Jim had seen the changing colors of the leaves. They were beautiful! If I could have, I would have been taking way more pictures at a stand still rather than 70 mph. As it worked out, we did not get the job. Sometimes, you just have to believe things happen for a reason.

Wednesday, October 3, 4 & 5

These three days were spent doing something I have never had the opportunity of doing before. I received calls from both the Jr/Sr High and the elementary school asking if I would be willing to substitute for a couple of teacher’s aides and also sit at the front desk to answer phones. I had nothing pressing so I thought, what the heck? It turned out to be some of my better days of unintended work. On Wednesday and Friday I subbed for aides who work in special education. LOVED IT! Jordan used to be in Callie’s class so I knew him and we had a good day. On Friday, I had the honor of working with Ben. Ben is a preschooler with Down’s Syndrome. What a heart warming afternoon I had! I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t a bit nervous. I had no idea what to expect. What I found out is this little boy is amazing! He is a very smart little boy and viewed by his peers as one of them – nothing different about him in their eyes whatsoever.  By the end of the day, I think we were good friends and he taught me that I should NEVER assume anything about anyone. Ever have a hug from someone who nearly knocks you over? Ben could do it! I hope I get called to help in the preschool again. I would be honored to have Ben teach me a thing or two!

Friday, October 5

This was the  last regular season home football game. I know it makes Taylor sad to think about.  After this game, she won’t be able to sit in the student section of the bleachers again – unless we get to host a playoff game. On my way to the game, I HAD to stop and take a picture of the sunset. Grandma Hancock (harvest grandma) used to say, “I’ve been all over and I still think the sunsets in Nebraska are the best”. I would almost have to agree with her.

Saturday, October 6

Harvest of Harmony! I posted about this last year and will do it again this year for a couple of reasons:

1. Taylor’s last one.

2. Callie’s first one.

3. Jim went for the first time…EVER! He’s always been in the field any other year. I’ve been going since Jamie was a freshman in high school (2000).

The E-M marching band did an excellent job! Since I didn’t have to drive bus this year, I was able to go to the parade. We headed to the train viaduct which they march under. The sound of the drums and the band ricocheting off the walls of that “tunnel” gave me goosebumps. I know, I know – once a “bandie” always a “bandie”!

It was COLD this year. The kids thought their fingers were all going to freeze off before they finished the parade route. The band finished with a 3rd place ranking  – beating their 4th place received last year. Congratulations to Mr. Hanson and to our E-M marching band! I’m hoping Dawn (3 Quarters Today) posts some of her pictures because I know they will be really good! Dawn and I had to share a few tears while waiting for the group picture. It will be the last time we’ll be together for a Harvest of Harmony parade. It’s sad! Previous experience (with the older girls’ graduations) will tell you you don’t see people again after graduation. I have shared these special moments with these moms for the past 13 years.  Soon we will be moving on to new life adventures and I will miss them!

To view the band, go to the NTV webpage and click on the 2012 Parade Video titled Elmwood Murdock Public School. Taylor is the first flag twirler on the left side of the screen. I couldn’t find Callie. She was on the opposite side of the band playing her french horn.

Tradition and extra space has the band stopping at a rest stop outside of Grand Island to change into their uniforms. I had Jim stop so I could get a picture of the girls before the parade.

I think Jim must have been feeling a little sorry for Callie – he was surely giving her words of encouragement! Love the smiles on both of their faces.

Me: What’d you think of your first Harvest of Harmony, Callie?  Callie: It was long!