Oh my goodness! Why oh why do I put something off until it becomes a chore? I have no idea why it’s been so difficult for me to sit down and write. Maybe it’s some sort of writer’s block? I went through my pictures yesterday and decided today was the day to make it happen. Have you ever put something off so long you just wished it would go away – only it doesn’t? Today I have decided there was more than one way to skin a cat. What in the world am I talking about? I hope you know I would never really try to skin a cat. I know a couple of people (who are world-famous trappers) who DO KNOW what it’s like to skin a cat. Okay…now, I’m getting off subject.

Another reason I’ve sort of backed away from writing (I think) is the overwhelming amount of information that comes through social media about how I SHOULD be writing a blog. And how it’s SUPPOSED to be done. And how I’m doing it all WRONG. I admit, I began reading some of the information, hoping to learn more, only to end up even more overwhelmed. After feeling like a complete loser, I decided I was doing it just as it was INTENDED it when started. I wasn’t out to win the #1 spot on the Google search engine. I’m not making bazillions of dollars – not even one – so I shouldn’t feel the need to compete in any way with anyone. I don’t need to have a post go viral (although it would be fun to think I wrote well enough others liked it that much). I just want to write. To share my story and my journey through this crazy thing called life. If it helps someone somewhere along the way, perfect! No more worries about doing it wrong!

So, the last update I wrote about (a harvester’s widow), I was spending my days doing whatever I could while getting used to being home…by myself. How long ago was that? I just looked – it was October 28. A lot of things have occurred since that day. And because of recent events that have made me more aware of how important pictures and memories are, I have decided I have just got to do this. Staring at the closed computer every day wasn’t going to make anything just go away.

While going through my pictures and videos on my phone yesterday, I realized that it may take more than just one post to get caught up again. I mean, I guess I could make it so long you would never want to return again, but I don’t want that to happen. So, maybe I should just take it month by month. So, let’s head back to October…

Before we left Colorado, I entered a contest. The winner would receive four tickets to one of several different pumpkin patches. Well, my name was the lucky draw! “Congratulations! You are the winner of the Nebraska Family Magazine Great Pumpkin Patch Give Away!” Woo Hoo!!!!! We chose to go to JK’s Pumpkin Patch near Lincoln and had the best darn time! We were the last ones out of the parking lot that evening.

Thank you to Kristine Jacobson with the Nebraska Family Magazine and to JK’s Pumpkin Patch for providing the reason we got to hang out together, play together and pick pumpkins together. We had the BEST time!

This was Eli’s favorite spot. (I understand)

The sun was in the wrong position…hard to keep their eyes open.

Riding in the wagon…heading to the pumpkin patch.

So excited to pick out their pumpkins.

The lucky pumpkins that got to go home with us.

Experiencing the corn pile.

 

On our way home, we stopped to get something to eat at Runza. These masks were in their kid’s meal. 

Carrying on the tradition of carving pumpkins in the kitchen. 

The Fall Festival held at the elementary school. 

Ben and Grandma Sandy.

Part 1 of ??? Thanks for sticking with me!