The past couple weeks have been filled with Labor Day Weekend fun: including having Paul do some home repairs for me, sitting in a combine—separating grain and hay, spent a day in Bismarck—where I got to fill up on Olive Garden (*sigh) and we searched for the perfect toolbelt for Paul!
I spent a few hours in Dad's combines. It will be the last time I
drive them as he's upgrading. He's had these two machines, or at least one of them, since I can remember. It felt good to finish up the oats. I just hate that I have to come home and show him up and finish things for him! Ha ...I know I can write as he probably doesn't read the blog! OR ...I just gave him incentive to!The past week has been crazy busy at work. We have so many projects started right now Community Field Day, Women’s Community Development Social, Ladies Night Out Downtown Shopping Celebration, Leadership Dickinson, Young Professionals Network, and other community work. Julie and I have been feeling like we are knee deep in 14 different projects but not sure where we are going. We have also taken a consulting role with the Bush Foundation to have listening groups in SW ND….I’m looking forward to accomplishing some of these big projects!
We actually had our first experience with Leadership Dickinson Students last Wednesday. The class has 10 students and we anticipate it to be a good year. We took the group to the Medora High Ropes Course and then I gave a presentation on the platinum rules personality styles. Next month, the theme is agriculture. We are having Uncle Wade come speak about his time with Stockmen’s Association, tying all the ag day all together, and how to become a leader in your field.
We also had the second annual Dickinson Young Professionals Banquet this past weekend. We
met my goal of 35 people and had Nicole Morrison-Mathern speak about PEARL (Passion-Education-Awesomeness-Resilience-Love). It felt great to give the president’s report and emceed the event. It feels good to finish the year out. I feel like we’ve accomplished a lot in a year and I know I owe a great deal to a great team that has been able to commit their time and talent to the network. We’ve put together a newsletter, a p&p manual, a strategic plan, an executive exchange, a great showing at the Great Plains Young Professionals Summit, creating a Wisdom Team, and holding multiple successful events.This coming weekend I’ll make a trip make to Minot. I haven’t been there in a long time. I feel like I’ve come a long way since my college days! We’ll see how it goes to meet with some old friends and see the community.
I’m also looking forward to the end of September. For my birthday, Sheri, Mel, my mother, and I are going to Fargo, where Aunt Janice will join us for a little birthday fun and giggling! I’m excited. What a great crowd…I know it will be an awesome time. We are already building our list of trip to do’s! Watch for future photo’s including a pile of can’s, a highline bridge, a winery, and maybe a pool picture!
Mel and I are also planning a getaway to Vegas. We want to leave in December and maybe catch a show, walk the strip. Mel has never been to Vegas and I’d like to try to support Tif as she will be vying for Miss Rodeo America. Mom will also be down there, just like last year, so it will be great to spend time with the 2 of them! I am excited that it worked out so well.
As summer closes, I hate to say goodbye to the feeling, the memories, and the sun. The days are getting shorter and the nights colder. It’s hard to believe that I’m approaching my third winter in Dickinson. Fingers crossed that the snow doesn’t cover me up!