Wedding, White stuff, and HalloWWWeen!

Hello, I’m Amanda and I’ve been a bad blogger!

Last weekend, I participated in Ashley and Jesse’s wedding. The wedding was in Hazen and the reception was in Beulah. She put so much time and planning into her wedding and it turned out so well. But my favorite part is that I was there the night that they first met…and I pulled Jesse aside and asked him if he was giving her the run-around because if he wasn’t interested in her, then he should just take a hike! He looked at me with all seriousness and said that he was interested and he wasn’t leading her on. I did have to thank him at the wedding for keeping his promise. And to top it off, I have to admit that it was one of the best bridesmaid’s dresses I’ve worn. It fit well and didn’t need to be constantly adjusted, that’s impressive!

We got snow this week…..ugh. I’m not ready for winter….not at all. In fact, I through a fit about the whole thing. I’m not ready for snow blowers, shovels, coats, mittens, snow, and wet. Let’s hope that this year Janice may be right about Dickinson and snow.

I didn’t do anything for Halloween this year…well I did take Dudley to the office trick-or-treating. He hates getting dressed up in shirts and sweatshirts; however, when he is a dragon he hates it even more! However, it makes me (and the cats) laugh!

Field Days and Fun Days

Well, the nights are getting colder and the days are shorter. I’m not ready for my third winter in Dickinson. I will admit I’m better equipped, I know what shovel to use, have my snow blower, got my car starter and block heater….but that doesn’t mean that I’m ready for the cold and the snow and the ice….yuck.

The second Community Field Day is over! We had just under 60 people present and a phenomenal speaker serve as the keynote. Kim Huston, author of “Small Town Sexy: The Allure of Living in Small Town America” came from Bardstown, Kentucky to present. We had a women’s social the night before Community Field Day. We had a great turn out with 31 women, 3 states, and 13 communities present. The next day, we had 10 communities and 4 states present. We had some great feedback from the event and even had representation from the Bush Foundation present. Kim also did a great job and signed my copy of her book.
Work has been picking up as we are finishing up Community Field Day activities, but also starting Ladies Night Out. This is a rediscover downtown Dickinson shopping celebration. Last year we had hoped for 100 shoppers and 20 stores…what we got was 300 shoppers and almost 30 stores! This year there is already an additional buzz about the event. I’m hoping that we get 300-350 shoppers and have at least 25 stores confirmed and committed.

Last weekend I had Ashley’s bachelorette party. It seems like yesterday that we were living across the hall from each other and TonyDanza was running across the hall to play with her cat. We were both single and figuring out what we wanted. Next weekend is her wedding. I’m a bridesmaid and I know she’ll make a beautiful bride. My official date is Tiffany. I’m so excited to spend some quality time with her. She’s also so straight with me…I know I over-think things but she always reminds me to simplify and stay grounded.

I made it home and spent a day with the family. I got to look at Alaina’s senior pictures. They have so many to chose from…it will be interesting to see what they comes out when they make their final decision. The other show and tell that happened was Dad’s brand new combine. It’s like Christmas in October. Dad got a 9600 with more bells and whistles than I’ve seen…it even has a trap door and a special seat…the only thing it doesn’t have is a cd player! I don’t think either of us will miss the 2 little combines!

Paul and I decided to just be friends, it works better. Relationships aren’t easy and it’s work to find that one-in-a-million. I’ll just keep looking, I just know that it’s a harder feat right now sitting in the middle of the oil patch.

Another bit of work that I’ve been chiseling away at is the basement. Mel finally got all of her things in the basement and we have been covered in boxes and piles since she moved in, and that way May. A couple weekends ago, I had a break-through and this weekend we even saw a climax. We actually saw floor and could unroll some carpet squares. I would even call the basement livable! Ha! I’m proud of what we all accomplished.

100 posts and a golden birthday-It's all a learning process.

This is the 100th blog. A lot has happened since Jan 1, 2009 when I started this blog. A lot of things have changed, my age, my roommate, furniture, flooring, walls…the list goes on but the biggest change is my mindset. We all go through these waves of past, present, and future and trying to smash them all together can be hard and dangerous.

My golden birthday was this past week. I spent it with my mother, Aunt Janice, and 2 of the greatest friends a girl could have. These people have seen me at my best and accepted me at my worst. It was a great weekend filled with a ton of laughs. I also appreciate those that wished me well and thought of me. I am blessed to have a great support structure, my own personal army.

Things I have learned since I started the blog:

1. Things happen without you watching
2. It snows in Dickinson
3. Little things can make a big deal
4. You build the relationships you need then you build the ones you want
5. Sometimes the past should stay in the past
6. Living on the corner lot isn’t a walk in the park
7. Looking for passion isn’t easy and if you don’t try things, you won’t know
8. Live in the moment (I’m still working at application)
9. I’m a cat person
10. Leadership can be hard
11. The world is a huge place that I want to see a little bit at a time
12. You have the ability to raise people, if you want to by just giving a little more than expected.

I have three years before my thirtieth birthday. I plan on shaking some things up in my life. I’m not sure where and how right now but it will come together, one day at a time. I’ll work on crossing more of my wishhope list and working towards my happiness.

Happy Golden Birthday to Me. Thank you to those that have impacted me life.