September, a wind storm, and other people's blogs

Just some pictures I took at home last week before the wind storm ripped through and did in my porch planter baskets and our artichokes (at least that is what I think the tall flowering plants are that are taking over the north end of our house....Nick's experiments gone wild as normal).

Hurricane Ike brought more winds to Ohio than any hurricane I can remember and lots of people in our township were out of power from Sunday until Friday! Yikes! But no flooding or anything so I'd say we were lucky.

This September is flying by. We lost one more pumpkin (probably would have been my 2nd largest of the year) but have 4 more and are looking forward to weighoffs in the next few weeks.

I have to miss the New Bremen weighoff for cross country and am sad because they are having a pumpkin derby; turning pumpkins into cars. Should be interesting for those who attend.

I always make the mistake of going online and linking to blogs of people who live in more adventurous places than I. I always say this, but as much as I want to live in Alaska / Montana / anywhere I love, I would miss my family way too much. I mean, COME ON, what can be more beautiful than an Ohio September evening seeing your grandma and husband with puffy clouds and blue skies, looking over the patch. I've had the honor to grow up next door to amazing grandparents who taught me so much about life and God and music and agriculture and and and......

And now that she is going through radiation for breast cancer, I am just happy I can see her as often as I want. Through her surgery and everything, I don't think she missed one Sunday from playing the organ at our church. She's been doing it since she was 16 and she is now 76. What an honor it is to play in her bell choir!!!!

I can see my mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle, great aunt, great uncle anytime anywhere because they all live within ONE MILE of here.

Where was I going with this? I think Ohio is beautiful. I appreciate it more and more as I get older. I admire / am jealous of people who 'get away' but am happy with how my life is right now.

I love where I live!!!!!

School Started!!

School started and so has the madness of my life. Cross country is in full swing and the fair was last week. It didn't help that my hubby was in Texas and left me at home to get the punkin down to the fair alone. And this week he's in New York! Must be nice. Oh yeah, bells started this week!! I am in two bell choirs; one at my church and one that is community based that I had to audition for. Next time I can see any freedom in my future: November. Here is my winning fair entry, 1046.5 lbs. yay.