A New Chapter

A new chapter in our lives will officially begin on Dec 12th 2008. We have decided to have a farm machinery auction and Greg will officially retire from farming this year. His hope always was to retire by the time he was 55 - that will happen in 2009, but the death of his brother Brian earlier this year really set things into motion alot faster. Brian was our help on the farm and with him gone, the prospect of finding someone to help Greg on the farm was daunting. We relied on Andrew, Russ and Dad to get the harvest and field work done this year, (and its not done yet!) and we appreciated that so much - but that is certinaly not a long term solution. We are excited and nervous at the same time as to the changes it will bring, but know this is the right decision at the right time. Greg has rented the land to two young farmers from Hillsboro, and is really excited to do so. Since Andrew didn't want to farm - it is nice to know that we can help to get some younger guys started and at the same time get out of the stressful business of farming. Greg says it hasn't been "fun" for quite a few years with the stress of the marketing side of farming, and dealing with unpredictable mother nature. I have struggled for years with the weather related side - wondering how he could put so much time and energy into planning, planting, huge money outlay, and then sit back and let the weather take over. Something of which we have no control over. Not to mention the marketing side of it - also of which we have no control. It is crazy to me. But - Any way it's been a great life - a great way to raise kids - and we are just so fortunate now to be able to look forward to something new. Our dream to retire at the lake is a few years off as selling the farmstead is not in the picture yet - and I will be working full time for a while longer. I am hoping the next job I get will be in the DL area when we move there full time. For now I will hang out at HSB as long as I can stand it. Greg has a few ideas on how to stay busy - he had offers from everyone he contacted to rent the land to work for them - so that is an option - but he also has other ideas. He knows he is to young to just sit back and rest. So - that is our big news for now. We have lots of work to do between now and Dec 12th, getting everything all polished up and shiny -AND we would like to invite everyone we know to a big "Shop Party" after the sale - there will be some celebrating to do!!

Random Thoughts

Hi Everyone! I'm sitting at home today after a "procedure" I had done this morning. I'm 50 - you take a guess on what it was. But I have to report it was no big deal. Everyone was telling me horror stories, but it was a piece of cake and I am seriously feeling very "cleaned out" today. I feel so good I may do that clean out about once a month!! And it's a beautiful day to be home enjoying the weather and baking cookies for the harvesters! It's fall - the leaves are turning, nites colder, and Greg is harvesting beans finally. He found one field that the beans are ready and the ground is not "to soft". He's only had to go around a few holes but he said there are no beans there anyway.
This field is running about 30 bu so not to bad for all the rain we had this season. They are forecasting rain for Sunday and Monday, so not good news. It would be really nice if this harvest went as smoothly as the wheat harvest did, but so far, not so. Andrew is here helping and Russ is dumping trucks in-between working, so as you can tell the "help" problem has not been solved. We are so thankful for these two offering to fill in, but it is really not a solution. We can't keep taking them away from their jobs, and Greg tried to get someone to work, but it's almost an impossibilty! If you advertise in the Forum all you get is the guys who want to use you on their list for unemployment - they really don't want the job. And just putting the word out amoung other farmers has resulted in some calls but nothing worked out. This is quite a problem, so everyone pray for good weather, so we can get this crop off, ok?

Fall also brings our nephew, Elliott's soccer games. He starts for Fargo North and is the quickest player on the team. Now I don't know alot about soccer yet - in fact sometimes it drives me crazy cause they get so close to a goal and it just veers off, or someone steals the ball - oof - crazy game. Anyway, I think his speed is being wasted cause he plays mostly defense, but I am told, his speed is needed back there and he is great on defense. He is almost certain to be all conference or whatever kind of awards they give out now days. He's really fun to watch, and I bet all the HS girls agree with me too!!

You can also see that our Aunt Beverly was home for a visit last week. She came mostly to see her sister Gloria who is in Bethany Homes now, but we got her for one night for supper out at Russ and Janets and it was really great to see her! She is so much like Caroline, it feels like for just a while that Caroline is back with us, but also makes us realize how much we miss her. They both had and have a great love of life and we always laugh so much when Beverly is around - we just love her! Hopefully soon, we will have more time for travel and we can go see her and Jim in Washington - it sounds like they have a wonderful place and also have their motor home at a beautiful campground at a lake. She showed us some pics and it looked like a great place! Can't wait!

Things are going better at work. We are finally used to the new building and everyone has things figured out now - so my days are not so long anymore. Thank goodness. We have our grand opening next week so that should be fun. We are not just bank tellers lately - we are also tour guides. Everyone wants to see it which results in alot of extra traffic and and we have picked up a substantial number of new accounts. Things are going well. We are also answering alot of phone calls about this "banking crisis" we are all involved in. People really aren't all that worried around here they just have some questions. I think since almost everyone seems to think the crazy wanna-be vice president Ms Palin is the next best thing since sliced bread, I am going to start talking, winking, and acting like her. "Darn right Harwood State Bank is just fine - you betcha your FDIC insured money is safe - also you don't have to worry about a darn thing because also we are doin all we can to safeguard your money and also we didn't get involved the sub-prime mortgage thing. And you can be assured that even though Tom the President is a maverick, he will continue to make sure you can also trust your money is safe with us!! How's that sound - Think it will work?!?!? What a joke - that women is a disgrace to all women. Come on - how long will cute last?? God - hopefully everyone will come to their senses by Nov 4th!

It is Bison homecoming this Sat and since Greg is combining I get to take Dad as my date! Tonite before supper with Bil, Mark, and Mallory, I am going to Scheels to get him a new sweatshirt to wear. He has had the same Bison sweatshirt (hanging next to his Sioux sweatshirt) for quite a few years now and it is time for a new one for sure! It will be a fun game, and after having to keep my voice down at the bar for the last game (remember the old people giving us dirty looks) I can't wait to get there and scream my voice horse! I hope its a great game!! Go BISON!! Take care everyone - Becky