Picking beans! My first combine experience.

 

     About a month ago I was able to go with Brooke and Todd Tanner on a ride-along while they were harvesting beans.  I've always seen the combines in the fields, but never thought I'd have the opportunity to ride in one!  Todd picked me up along a side road in his tractor and grain wagon and took me out to the combine.  I climbed up into the cab where Brooke showed me the basics of this amazing machine.  I'm still a rookie, but I learned a lot about soybeans and the harvesting process.

 

     So interesting for someone who's only lived in cities!  

 

     I rode with Brooke for about an hour and found the process to be relaxing and strangely satisfying to see the rows and rows of beans being harvested and poured into the grain wagon. 

 

     I am loving my new city and all of these experiences!  Check out the photos!

Unique Salon and Spa-Manicure

When you're new in town, you need to consult the internet for services in your new town.  I found Unique Salon and Spa online and decided to try them out to have my nails done.   I had Chantel Scheffler give me a great shellac manicure and had a nice conversation while getting it done!  Chantel is also newer to Atlantic, having grown up in Exira and going to school in Omaha.

The Salon is decorated beautifully and the rest of the staff seemed friendly and professional.  I'll definitely be going back. :)  Unique Salon and Spa is located in downtown Atlantic at 512 Chestnut Street.  Phone 712-243-6626.

Nebraska Cornhusker Football Games

     Yes, I live in Iowa now, but I will always be a Nebraska Husker fan!  Mark is an alumni from UNL too, so he's a big fan.  So we tailgate every home game!
     We take the RV down to Lincoln on Friday nights before the game and usually go out to dinner or meet up with other tailgaters for awhile.  Saturday mornings we wake up and Mark sets up the tables, TV, speakers, chairs, etc. outside while I get the food ready to go inside.  This past weekend we had pulled pork BBQ sandwiches, corn casserole and of course, Rotel cheese dip and chips.  Plus cookies and other easy snacks. You won't go hungry!  Sometimes we go into the game, sometimes we don't.  I think I actually prefer to stay at the tailgate and watch the game on the TV while talking with all of the friends that stop by to say "hi." 
     This past weekend we met up with several Michigan State fans who were there for the weekend, and we ended up hanging with them most of the afternoon and wound up dancing into the wee hours of the night at The Red 9...a night club just a block away from our tailgate spot.  They told us how much they liked Nebraska fans...very polite and just down to earth and nice.  That's always good to hear!
     Here are a few photos.  Mark wears his red and white striped overalls and white patent leather shoes to every game.  This time, the Michigan fans found a true connection with Mark!  :)

Cutie Pie Boutique-downtown Atlantic, IA

     This morning the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors met at Cutie Pie Boutique in downtown Atlantic.  What a great shop!  They have specialty gifts, jewelry, custom embroidery items, children's accessories, gently used consignment kids clothing items, and new seasonal holiday items as well.  I will definitely do some Christmas shopping there this year!  

     The owner is Alisha Carpenter (pictured here).  She's talented...creating custom bows, and adding embroidery/applique' designs on just about anything right there in the shop!  Cutie Pie Boutique is located at 412 Chestnut Street, Atlantic, IA.  Phone is 712-243-7710.

     Oh...and I met several new people who are also Chamber members and I look forward to getting to know them better at future events!

Cutting Firewood

     In preparation for the cold winter days ahead, I went with Mark to cut down trees for firewood on Sunday.  So...ok, I'm from the city.  I grew up in Denver and have lived in Sacramento, Fort Worth, Rapid City and Shreveport.  When we wanted firewood we called a 'guy' and had him deliver some to our house, already cut up and had him stack it for us.  Or we'd stop by the local Kwik Stop and buy a bundle or two.  So going out, chopping down old, dead (big) trees, cutting them into sections and then splitting them seems like a lot of work to me! 

     We went to a local acreage just west of Atlantic where there is a hilly, forested area overlooking freshly harvested fields...a friend's farm.  Mark got to work with his chainsaw, and I helped out by stacking the pieces I could lift or roll into a pile.  We worked together in the sunshine for a few hours, taking down three big trees and making manageable piles to come back and split with a log splitter at a later date this week.  And you know what?   I had a great day.  It was sunny, not windy, about 55 degrees outside.  A gorgeous day to get your blood pumping and spend time outside together!

Here are a couple of photos..    

Pitch Tournament

Played cards last night!  My first Pitch tournament was held at the Atlantic Golf and Country Club.  It was my 2nd time to play this game and I made a couple of mistakes that my partner, Mark Smith, pointed out to me over and over again.  ;)  But in the end, Mark and I made it to the championship game and although we tried our hardest, we couldn't win the last hand.  I think 2nd place is pretty good for someone who has only played two times!!  I had a blast, met some really great people and will definitely do that again!

Fall Colors!

I love the fall colors this year!  This is a picture I took from our driveway.  I used to live in a newer subdivision in Omaha and didn't have all of these big trees. Is it like this every year?  Beautiful!

Atlantic, Iowa Chamber of Commerce

I stopped by the Chamber of Commerce yesterday to find out what they offer as far as networking opportunities and social events that will enable me to meet the people and learn about the businesses in this town.  They are an active group it seems, so I've taken an application and will be joining soon.  I also met two really nice people who work there, Megan Roberts and Erica Govig.  Thank you for welcoming me to the community! 

Building a website

I thought it would be simple, but it's not.  I've been working on a page of a GoDaddy website builder site now for about 2 hours and I'm frustrated and confused.  Thinking those website designers are pretty awesome at this point...and may be totally worth the money they want to get a site up and running.

One more hour then I'm throwing in the towel and hiring someone.  Grrr...
Julie