Happy Halloween

Hello all,

I hope you are ready for a frightening night! Ali and Zac will be out and about ready to scare you all!!!

I'll post pictures later tonight.

-Andy

Homework

Hello all,

After meeting with Rev. Waller last week, I was given a homework assignment to write down my feelings. Since this is my way to talk to you, I have chosen this as my forum. Here I go.

Fall is my favorite time of year on the farm. I loved to see the corn turn from lush green to gold. When that happened it meant Dad was going to be home soon. I knew when the equipment was at our house Dad and Cliff would be working at our house for at least a week. It was my opportunity to ride with dad as he brought the corn and soybeans in from the field.

Every afternoon as the school bus would crest the hill before our house I would scan the hillside to see the John Deere combine crawling across the fields. If I was lucky, I would see that wonderful sight. I would get inside and change clothes as fast as I could and head out to find Dad. I know it sounds weird, but riding on a fender of a 706 or 766 international was a lot of fun. It was time with my Dad and I loved it.

As I grew older, I was able to help Dad in the field by helping hold the wagon tongue and accelerate the process of bringing the wagons in to be emptied. I know I didn't speed the process up a lot, but I did help.

My favorite time of harvest is the last load. The sound of the combine shutting down meant that it was over. The sprint was almost done. All that was left to do was bring the last few wagons in from the field and emptied. If it was a good year, smiles and laughs were shared by everyone at the auger. Dad would look at the grain bins and know that it was worth it for another year. Another good crop meant that the farm would continue. If the family was lucky we would go to Glenwood to eat at Pizza Hut.

The year was not done though. There was still terraces to be plowed and fields to be chisel disk'd before winter set in. But for one night under the glow of the Pizza Hut sign, we could all rest and enjoy time as a family. Like any runner after a long race, Dad enjoyed just being able to sit down and rest and reflect on the year. I didn't realize it at that time, but those outings with my family were some of my favorite memories from my childhood.

I love you Dad.

-Andy

Missing you Dad

Dad,

Missing you is the hardest challenge I cope with every day. You were my best friend. You were always there for me to call when I needed a break from work. I loved to hear about your golf game and how it was "finally" coming around. You always had a way of making me feel like things would be alright if I just gave it a little more time. When I was scared about being a dad, you helped to calm my fears. Your words of encouragement turned my fears into confidence. You always knew I could accomplish anything I committed myself to.

I need a pep talk Dad. You see, these last few months have been very hard on me. I was alright during the summer. I was distracted by moving out of the old house and into the new one. There were always places to go and people to meet in the neighborhood. As the fall leaves start to fall, so do I. I do not have the distractions I once enjoyed. All I have left to do is sit and think about what is missing -- you. One author I read states losing a father is like waking up one morning and having a mountain disappear from your view. You were a constant in my life for 31 years and now I am trying to recover from having you ripped from my life. The wound is still fresh. It stings more some days than others, but the ache is persistent.

I know that you would not want me to feel sorry for myself. You would want me to go on and enjoy my family as you enjoyed spending time with mom, Danna, Nic and I. I know that is why you told me to watch over the family that day. It was you telling me that life has to go on. I may hate it, but life has to go on.

I know that you can read this from Heaven, so I thought I would let you know that we all are coping the best we can. I know you drop by from time to time. Ali and Zac tell me so. After playing upstairs, they will run downstairs and rush to tell Jennifer and I that they had so much fun playing with Grandpa just then. I smile at my kids and give them a hug and let them know that their Grandpa loves them very much. Thanks for dropping by Dad. It is nice to know that you are watching over the family.

Well, I've been crying long enough now. I'll let you get back to doing whatever you do in Heaven.

I love you Dad!

Your son,
-Andy

Happy Anniversary Jennifer

Hello all,

Seven years ago today I married the most beautiful woman in the world, Jennifer Lynn. You are still the love of my wife Jennifer. Thank you for seven wonderful years. I am looking forward to a lifetime of memories together.

I love you!

-Andy

GO CHIEFS

Hello all,

Today Jennifer and I went to the Chiefs game with her father Larry. Thank you very much for the tickets Larry. We really enjoyed seeing the game with you as well as tailgating with you before and after the game.


-Andy

Not a bad day of golf

Hello all,

Well I wouldn't say it was my best round of golf I have ever played, but it was still better than normal. I played at Hodge today and shot a 94. It would have been a lot better if I had been able to putt. Maybe it will be better next time.

-Andy

Last day of work

Hello all,

I am really looking forward to a four day weekend! I am off the rest of the week to celebrate my anniversary to the most wonderful woman in the world: Jennifer Scott.

-Andy

Catching a cold

Hello all,

I was home yesterday with the flu and I'm still not 100% today. I hate it when the weather changes.

-Andy

FLU

Hello all,

I had the flu yesterday. Nothing is worse than the flu. I am feeling a little bit better today.

-Andy

Getting colder

Hello all,

Here is a quick observation. Why is it that the Summer and Winter seem so long but Spring and Fall seem to be only one day? Can't I get a break from running my air conditioner for a month before I have to turn my furnace on?

-Andy

Pumpkin patch

Hello all,

Today Jen, Diane and I took Ali and Zac up to Westen to pick out a pumpkin for Halloween. It was very exciting to go ride on a hay rack out to the pumpkin fields and pick our very own pumpkin from the vine. Ali picked out the one she wanted while Zac slept on my shoulder. The bumpy hayride rocked my son to sleep.

On our way back home, we stopped at an apple orchard and picked up some apple butter. Mom -- if you have a recipe for apple butter, I would love to have it. I found out that Jennifer likes apple butter too! I never would have believed it.

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend.

-Andy

Golf tournament

Hello all,

Lets just say I didn't golf my best today. Our neighborhood has a friendly golf outing every year at Hodge Park. It was a beautiful day for golf. The air was crisp. The greens were fast, but my game was terrible.

I didn't help myself much off of the tee. I only hit three fairways. I only made two puts and my short game only gave us one green in regulation. Where did all of my confidence go? I don't know, but if you find it, please return it to me.

-Andy

Spa tonight

Hello all,

I am really tired, but I wanted to let you know that our spa went well tonight. I really think Jen's business is taking off.

-Andy

Getting lost in the house

Hello all,

Jennifer keeps losing me in the house... Never before have I been able to slip away and play hide and seek, but I can now...

All kidding aside, there is one drawback to our new home. Jennifer and I lose track of one another from time to time. It starts out simple enough. Jennifer will start a conversation with me from the other room while I am working in the kitchen. We will continue this conversation for a period of time and then the conversation stream will close. It is at this time I may leave the kitchen to run upstairs to check on something. In my absence, Jennifer will reopen the conversation without knowing that I have temporarily stepped away. When I return to the kitchen I am normally asked the question: "Where did you go? We were in the middle of a conversation."

I think we need an intercom.

Good night,

-Andy

Not much going on

Hello all,

I don't have a lot to report on tonight. We were suppose to go to our small group meeting for the church, but we had to drop out of that due to scheduling conflicts. Jennifer had a meeting with the church Sunday school teachers tonight. From what she has told me, the meeting went well. That is about it.

-Andy

Getting settled in...

Hello all,

I have been in my new office for a while and I'm starting to become familiar with my surroundings again. The worst part of moving is having to retrain the brain where stuff is again. Hopefully this time will be permanent.

-Andy

Yard work, part II

Hello all,

All is ready for the rain. For the first time in a long time, I feel like the farmer I could have become. I know it is only a yard of grass, but it is my yard and I'm sure that Dad would have been proud to see the freshly tilled soil and straight lines. This one is for you dad.

Love you dad,

-Andy

Yard work

Hello all,

Today I spent the day outside working in the yard. Each year my neighborhood rents a verticutter and core aerator machine for members to use. Today was the day and I took full advantage of this opportunity. By the end of the day I had pulled the thatch from the top of the soil and raked it the the curb. Tomorrow I'll seed it and get one more pass with the verticutter to make sure the seed is set in the damp soil. I can't wait to see my yard next Spring.


-Andy