SureFire Ag

Three friends had a vision to start a business in their hometown - their favorite place to live and raise their families.  The business, SureFire Ag, is now four years old - and thriving.  They recently built a parts warehouse, and have expanded product options.

The business is SureFire Ag, and their role is to provide custom application equipment for farmers all over the United States.  The business has helped potato farmers, blueberry farmers, and of course corn, soybeans and wheat.  The photo highlights a product developed by the SureFire team.  Great job revitalizing and growing Atwood, Kansas!  Thank you Matt Wolters for the hospitable tour of your community and business!

Currier Drug

The heart of many communities is the drug store.  Customers visit for that needed item, gifts and of course, prescriptions.  Rural communities desperately need a local pharmacy to survive, as many elderly would have to travel great distances without a local store.

Currier Drug is owned by a couple originally from Montana.  They specifically came to Atwood, to run the local pharmacy.  The store would have closed its doors at the end of the calendar year - 11 years ago - if this couple did not have the vision to keep the store an option.

The pharmacy today provides prescriptions, necessity items, orthopedic foot care and musical therapy.  Lots of viable options are now available for residents of Atwood, Kansas.

Feed Mill

Ever been to Atwood, Kansas?  This little community is located in the northwest corner of Kansas - and the community is determined to thrive.  Many small, rural communities are shrinking, but Atwood experienced a slight growth in their last census.  So, what is going on in Atwood -- well, lots!

This photo is of the feed mill.  The mill processes feed for all types of animals.  They still bag feed, and will even deliver.  The mill has become in such demand, that they are planning an expansion.  You can see a concrete slab in this photo - this is where the new office operations will be located.

In a small town, a business must many times do more than one service.  The feed mill also stocks coveralls, gloves and other outdoor wear.  Plus, they will embroider your name/logo on the outside!

Kid Time

My best holiday memories, as a kid, where playing with my cousins.  I liked to do this better than most anything else, including eating and presents.  You see, I had nearly 25 cousins on my Dad's side and about 20 on my Mom's.  So, needless to say, holidays were full of great playful memories!

I wonder if the cousins of my sisters and I will have some of the same memorable times?  The cousins range in age from 11 to two months.  We have an even girl and boy split at the moment - and my nieces are certain to let everyone know the ratio.  They are a little concerned that they will be outnumbered!

This pic is a snap of seven out of eight - Baby "K" was napping on Thanksgiving.  So, here is to cousins - may you all have some fun memories too this holiday season!

And the Winner Is . . .

Fall is the time of year when award celebrations are held, for well, about everything.  There is the music awards, the movie awards and scads of other award shows.  Well, fall is also the time of year when we recognize 4-H professionals.  Our conference last month did just that.  I really can't think of a more deserving winner than my good friend BH.  She has been a 4-H professional for about 20 years, and her talent is evident throughout the state.  I was so excited to be a part of her special award day, as was her supervisor, pictured here.  Congrats on a career well done!

Froggy Fun

I think it is super cool when art turns into actual usable fun stuff.  Check out this example: a frog bench!  The tongue is the bench part, and kids can climb up the back of the head.  I think it looks like a fun play piece.  My friend, BH and I, discovered this park treasure in downtown Omaha.  There was lots of kid friendly play pieces to explore!

Concrete Creation

On a recent trip to Omaha, Nebraska, I happened upon this fun city park.  A friend and I were on a walk towards a lunch destination, and thought we might cut through.  The park not only featured nice seating areas, walking trails and beautiful foliage - but it also featured fun playground pieces!  This slide looked awesome, and an identical twin was featured to the left.  There were some kids playing, so I decided that I probably should not test it out.  Doesn't it look like tremendous fun though?  I definitely think it is worth a return trip =)

Nine Months

Nine months ago this little guy became a part of our lives - and we can't imagine what life would be like without him!  This past month was full of more growing adventures, more learning and more daycare fun too.  Life certainly is not boring, and each day is new opportunity - especially in food exploration =)

This month Baby "K" learned:
*To stand while holding onto objects.
*To say "ma-ma" and "na-na."
*That spitting while eating causes great reactions from Dad!
*To stand in bed.
*To chew on the coffee table.

Each day brings more mobility confidence, and more pronounced independence.  Baby "K" is getting braver with letting go, and just might surprise us by walking someday soon!  Thank you EM for this perfect, easy-to-move-in outfit!

Plant Hang Out

My plants are happy hanging out in the sun by the south picture window.  They get to overlook the pond, and a lovely brome grass pasture.  What could be more beautiful?  Mr. Fixit designed two plant shelves, one on either side of the window.  The plants give their new digs two (green) thumbs up!

Kitchen Complete

The transformation of my kitchen/dining area has been almost magical!  I had made a request to use wainscoating, and Mr. Fixit definitely fulfilled my vision.  The wainscoating was painted a country blue, which pairs quite nicely with the very light gray walls.  The trim was made from 1 X 4's, and follows the top of the wainscoating.

Mr. Fixit also crafted some plant ledges and shelves.  The dining area looks fantastic, and the plants frame the south picture window quite nicely.  The plant shelves were my Christmas present request - so I have received Christmas early this year!

Window Shelf

Mr. Fixit is pretty creative, and his brain for construction can definitely turn circles around mine!  Mr. Fixit is working on some house projects, and this one, I think, is a terrific fix for an unusable space.  The indentation in the wall was once a window.  Now it is a crafty built in multi-shelf unit!

The window was removed because that wall was where the old part of the house was tied into the new part of the house.  The window space was covered for the longest time, until Mr. Fixit came up with this plan.  I think it turned out marvelous!  Mr. Fixit now has a place for some knick knacks and toys that some day will belong to Baby "K."

Coal Fire Cooler

Holcomb is home to a large coal fire plant.  The plant produces electricity by processing coal.  As a result of burning the coal, water vapor is discharged.  This photo shows the large cooling system associated with the plant.  You can see the water vapor escaping into the cold, fall air.  The whole process was quite amazing.

Curly Girls

Curly hair - these two words pretty much sums up my hair.  Those of you out there with curly hair know that our hair IS different.  People that have straight hair, really can not understand.  Therefore, it is very important, that a stylist know and understand that life with curly hair is just simply not the same.  So, I am picky about who cuts my hair.

Two of my friends also have curly hair.  They understand what life is like with crazy curls.  This picture shows two hair options: long or short.  My long-haired friend is the style of hair that I currently have.  My short-haired friend is the style I aspire to get.  Will it work with my thick curly hair?  I took several more photos, and hope to find out soon!