Where did September go??

As you know, my intent with this blog was to have *regular* updates on what we do around here. So much for that. I completely lost September somehow, it seems. So here is a rundown of a few of the things that keep us busy:

Lou is running for a regional board position on the national Cenex-Harvest States board. This is a big deal with a very nice salary and full benefits for at least 3 years if he wins the election. He will need to be away from the farm for about 100 days/year but Ben is OK with that. There are now 4 guys running for the position, one of whom was on the board when this region had 2 seats, so he has experience and possible name recognition, but the local grain board Lou now serves on is really convinced he has a shot at it. And so we are campaigning. Phone calls, meetings to set up, and travel to visit with local co-ops who have the votes. So far Ontario and Mt. Angel, Oregon, Lewiston Idaho, and Ritzville & Fairfield, WA. The election is in early December.

Lou also attended the Lutheran CORE meeting in Fishers, Indiana last month. It was pegged as one of those "I was there" events and he was asked to go by the Augsburg Lutheran Churches to see what part we can play in this aftermath from August's churchwide assembly in the ELCA. If you don't know what any of that means, that probably is a good thing (unless you are an ELCA member!)

Church stuff always keeps us pretty busy. On Sept. 19th there was a national event called Wash for Life that our church decided to participate in. Youth groups and church groups across the country washed cars on this day to raise money for their local crisis pregnancy centers. About 15 people washed about 50 cars (but nobody counted so that's a guess) and raised over $500. I think most of that was in the first 2 hours. It was a nice fellowship event, the weather was a little overcast at first but not so hot that the soap dried on the cars. We think we'll try it again next year, maybe get other churches in town to do it at other locations as well.

While Lou was in Indiana I bought a new car. That sounds funny -- he did know about it. And I don't buy new, but rather "new to me" and "newer than what I had." Our vans have each have their quirky issues and we decided that we didn't trust either one, even though neither one has ever failed to start unless it was a battery issue. The white one was supposed to have been sold last winter but then it started to snow ... and then the battery was dead... and then I have this problem with inertia, but we got it going again last month. On Saturday I drove to Tacoma and traded it in on this:a 2006 Town & Country. I finally got the light blue color I've always wanted, too :o) Yes, another Chrysler van -- I just think you can't beat the price on these things, for what you get, as compared to other cars or SUVs. Now to sell the darker blue one...