Category: Life

Keepin’ it real, the struggles and the joys.

DIY, Life

DIY Life

veronica
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My 1950 Chevy pickup getting a little love. This DIY has been handed down to more capable hands…my son’s! I did not inherit the mechanical or woodworking skills that my siblings did :/

Ok, so I am by nature a crafty sort of gal.  I was confused when I would throw together some random art project and people would stare and ask “How did you do that?” To me it was simple.  You just get creative and stuff happens.  It took me a while to see that I actually had a gift.

As it happens this sort of thing is not really in demand for too many basic jobs.  So I have a unique skill set that I have not yet marketed.  I may never market it. That’s not really the point anyway.

I have found that over the years being creative has made my life more enjoyable and exciting.  I have been able to bless others along the way.  I have been able to stretch my small means further than anyone thought they could go.

It’s funny when I google money saving tips and I see things that I have been able to make for less than half of the cheapest purchase price.  I feel good about that.  I don’t want to take it for granted.

I am blessed to have had parents who lived a DIY life out of necessity and taught me how to work with my hands.  My mother painted and arranged flowers and created an inviting home with very little money.  My dad built and welded and was forever knee deep in projects.  Both are extremely creative thinkers.

The things I remember most about my growing years were that we were allowed to be kids and to learn by error.  We climbed trees and built our own tree forts.  We used that dilapidated band saw to make wood projects.  We used the wood lathe to create gifts for friends and family.  We gathered flowers and branches from gardens, woods, fields to make elaborate arrangements for gatherings and holidays.  We planted, we grew, we were given the right of way.

My amazing sister blew everyone away when she built- from the ground up- a tiny house complete with wiring and insulation.  Mind you, this was WAY before tiny houses were cool.  She was sixteen. I did not get that much talent *sigh*.

If DIY isn’t your thing there are so many tutorials online to guide you through.  I encourage you to try it.  You might find yourself with a better product that cost you less to make than it does to buy.  Word of caution *it can be addictive*.

Farm, Health, Kids, Life, The Begining

Authentically me- How I happened upon blogging and farming

veronica

I began blogging in an effort to ease myself out of my introverted tendencies.  I don’t hibernate and I’m not a hermit but I do keep to myself.  Pent up ideas, emotions, thoughts, energy and opinions that never get out can eat you up if you aren’t careful.  I treasure the quiet times and the peaceful moments just as much as I do the happy gatherings and visiting friends but I was never truly myself.  As time wore on and life continued it’s demands I found myself pushing back what I really wanted to say and do in favor of what I thought I should say and do.  This is what I want to break.

I want to be authentically me. My thoughts, opinions and views.  My hopes and dreams and goals.  I  know God has a plan for each of us and I want to reach my full potential.  I wasn’t doing that.  I was waiting for some little fairy to come and tap that wand on my shoulder. Sprinkle a little pixie dust maybe.

Isn’t it amazing how we are told that we can be anything we want to be but so few of us know what it is that we really want?  Life has come full circle for me at this point.  The ideals I held in my mind were really just mirages in the distance.  They don’t ring true anymore. The true me was there underneath it all the whole time.

Truth is- I don’t want a career. I want to be a farmer.  I want to dig the cold damp earth of spring and to pull weeds under the hot sun.  I want to cultivate things of the earth so it can in turn feed my body and spirit.  I want the open air and the seasons hot/cool/mild/freezing.  I want to feel alive and grounded and to know that the animals around me are serving their purpose.  I want to appreciate the bounty that is around me and thank the God above me for not only providing it but for allowing my body to be fully active in the work.  This is the real me that I never knew.

I probably wouldn’t have discovered this fact if my kids had not become involved in 4H.  The daily work with my son’s first goat set something stirring in me. I became almost more attached to that animal than he did.  We both grieved on sale day.  We will grieve every sale day.

I know that our farm is small and we are very inexperienced.  We have a couple strikes against us there.  There are even more in our favor.  Strength and our family and the blessing of God upon our home. I am so thankful for the opportunity given to us!

Life, Love, Marriage, Things I find funny

The hubs

veronica
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The man who stole my heart and who now brings me chocolate

I thought was only fair that I include a post on the man of my dreams after talking about my kiddos. Ok, so this guy was really-kinda NOT going to be the man I married.  I was pretty intent on that. Yup, I was positive.  No small town boy for me!  I was going to find the cultured and well read man that would tell witty jokes and take me to the opera and art galleries.

And then the internet happened.  We ended up chatting online and the next thing I knew we had a face to face.  Mind you, this was when instant messaging was BRAND NEW.  I actually didn’t know how to use it and my friend was giving me my first tutorial when I met the man pictured above.  Ironic, isn’t it? I’ll just agree with myself right here and say yes, it surely is.

So, one date lead to another and soon I was sporting a diamond on my left hand.  I remember my college ceramics class discussing the horrors of online dating.  I innocently went about my work. Then I very quietly chimed in…”That’s actually how I met my boyfriend”.  They all stared at me with terrified/repulsed/indignant/ I don’t know what all stares.  Awkward.  Finally one asked, “So… how’s that going for you?” I held up my 1/3 carat round cut diamond for them to see.  “Um, pretty good actually!” *crickets*

That was our humble beginning and just a year and two weeks later we were married. It has been a ride people.  We have stuck it out for sixteen years now and I think I can safely  say we are gonna make it!

Anyway, back to the man at hand.  I think it is so funny that the idea of  perfection I had in my mind was the complete opposite of the man I married. What I got instead was way better.  Kind, humble, generous, gentle, long suffering, patient, hard working, loving… I could toss around adjectives all day and never cover them all.

What I thought I wanted was really just who I thought I should be attracted to.  Who I really am is a simple country girl.  God knew the man for me would match those things and that I would complement him.  I am proud to be a working man’s wife.  I am thankful for the food and shelter that he provides for us.

At the end of the day I may not have much in the bank account but I can call myself rich.  I may never get a dozen long stemmed roses delivered to my door but I can count on a chocolate bar finding it’s way onto my bedside table every now and then.

Being Mama, Home, Life

Keep it together…

veronica

I have a few little helpers that I like to have at my fingertips.  I am not sure how many of you need to plan your life but I sure need the structure if I am going to keep things working properly and get things done in a timely manner. And not forget stuff, that’s a biggie.

I keep a day planner.  I have a beautiful rose gold planner that I love.  When I ran out of inserts I was going to buy more the same size (A5) but I found a bitty school planner that fit neatly inside.  This was better because I could chose to take the whole shebang or just the calendar.  I like options 🙂

It is essential to me that they are pretty and somewhat matching.  No, it doesn’t matter.   But, if I like it, I’ll use it.  I’m a simple girl. My planner is a Prima planner and the pocket planner is PlanAhead.  The pen is pilot. I change it up every year so brands don’t really matter to me (no, I don’t get endorsements)

I keep these bad boys hoppin’.  Monday is my stay at home day.  I clean, plan the weeks menu, shop if needed, prep meals for the week, do errands and any other tid bit that got missed during the week.  I also plan out tasks and events for the week ahead.

Saturdays I do a family meeting- usually just me and hubs.  We discuss the most needful projects and the items most worthy to receive attention on pay day.  This gets us caught up and lessens chances for disagreements later.  I can then write said items down on the white board for all to see. That way, we all know what the priorities are.  An added bonus is that if an unmentioned party *ahem* decides to change their mind we have a list to keep dollars and attention veering from the task at hand.

I have swapped my to do list out for a context based list.  You can find this concept at http://www.powerofmoms.com

It isn’t a new idea but it has helped streamline the amount running around I do.  i just made my own print outs. This can keep you moving forward with your day and those little to dos that often get neglected can start getting ticked off the list with minimal effort.

I hope to do a whole house edit in the future.  There is nothing like a good purge and declutter fest!  Happy adulting!

Health, Kids, Life, Marriage

Investing in myself

veronica

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Today is Monday.  Most of the working world treats this day as one big UGH.  I happen to have Mondays off so I’m in errand mode most of the day. I have to start off with a little pampering first though.

I decided a while back to do some investing in myself.  This was long overdue.  LOOOONG overdue!  Let me tell you a little story…

My baby brother (ok, he’s 30) just graduated from the lineman program.  BIG DEAL!! Like, REALLY big deal.  This guy struggled through school and it was touch and go that final year of high school.  To celebrate the accomplishment there was a shindig- Yay! My dear sweet hubs decided that there was no room in the budget for this big sis to attend 😦 So I sold the boat.  He actually sold it but i convinced him as we:

A) NEVER use it

B)it needed repairs and

C) I was NOT going to miss the shindig!

Off I went on my merry way.  Hubs suggested I take the kiddos. (he had to stay home and tend the animals)  I suggested they would be more help on the farm than screaming in a car for 7 hours only to return in a day for another 7 hours….so they stayed.

Upon my return I called a friend and as my family walked in the door I was chatting away to a girl having a rough time.  I was in the middle of the convo and waved hello.  The fam was not happy.  In fact, they were all completely mad at me.  I had got their goat without even knowing it.  I had dared to return and not bring them presents or give them every ounce of my attention.

I.WAS.FLOORED.  Clearly, we needed a change here.  When did I change from an individual to the chief gopher girl?  It was astonishing how upset everyone was.  I simply had a call.  It happens.  Apparently not to mothers and wives though.  Somewhere there is an unwritten rule that we are not allowed.  I missed that.

So, I decided that I am going to have to  work a little less around the house -DELEGATE! I will make a point to take care of important things first and to make sure my name is at the top of that list. I vow to not let myself down.  I want more out of life.  My kids will thank me later.  My husband will too.  He will have a happier wife for it.

At this very moment I have my head wrapped turban style as I soak in a DIY hair mask. I figured I toss on a face mask while I was at it.  Yes, its a small thing but it’s a start.  I think I’ll book a massage and check out the schedule for the local fitness group.

Oh, and my amazon packages should be arriving today….

Farm, Home, Kids, Life

We made it

veronica

Well, it’s Friday morning.  The first week of school is nearly complete.  The school year has begun and with it all the routines and schedules revived.  Gone are the lovely, lazy summer mornings or the impromptu fun days.  Gone are the long, hot chores days and the county fair prep days.

We had our first fire in the stove last night as our temps dove down.  It’ is always so thrilling.  My son and I especially take a prideful glee in that first blaze.  We were fortunate enough to have gotten some wood as a result of a tree removal in town.  We were double fortunate in that a friend let us borrow a wood splitter for those terrifically large rounds.

Ah, the farm life.  It’s is both laborious and rewarding in each act.  Caring for 50 day old chicks was a BIG task, but now that I get to gather eggs- Reward!

The garden was a monumental feat for us.  It has more than paid us back with it’s delicious and healthy offerings.

So here’s to making it- I’ll raise my coffee cup to that!

Life, Love, Marriage

I’m going with NO today

veronica

Home sick today… not sure what’s up. Sore tummy, dizzy, yuck! Anyway, got the hubs to take kids to school so I could get dressed and sit in quiet for a minute to decide if I really had enough oomph for school today.  Um, no.  That didn’t happen.

I get a call from hubs about an hour after he drops kids off. Do I want to watch a 2 year old for a few hours? For his co-worker?

Um, let me think about it….. at home feeling crummy, pawned my own kids off so I could reserve a bit of sanity, skipped work so I could recoup….that’s gonna be a no!

I love my husband…

I love my husband…

I love my husband???

Oh, yes, I love my husband…

UGH!

Life

Wisdom for the day

veronica

Hey there, just having a wondering type of morning over here.  I’m on the fence about a possibly very important decision.  One that I have had a couple of months to ponder and still have not come to any  conclusive answer.

I did a pro/con list for both DOING THE THING and NOT DOING THE THING.  That always seems to help identify where the real issues lie.  Anyhow, as I ponder I pray.

King Solomon was said to be the wisest man alive.  I wonder if he could stand in this digital age?  Would he know what to do and what advice to give in this time of information overload?

God, give me wisdom.  Wisdom for today

Life

The Me-ness of Me

veronica

This is the struggle: to live truer to myself.  I know there a lot of cliches out there.  I am not out on a soul search to find myself.  I simply want to stop worrying about how I will be viewed and make the choices/say the things/do the stuff that I would do if I wasn’t constantly putting the “should dos” of life in forefront.

I am getting older.  I am NOT OLD!  But I am not going to gain any extra days or years in this lifetime.  I want them to count.  I want to matter.  I want people to miss me when I’m gone.  Most importantly- I want to live so that I leave part of me behind.

I am at this very moment. being a wife, mom, teacher, Sunday school bus worker and a farmer.  Each of these roles requires a lot of work and attention.  I cannot do them all well all the time.  I have learned some by heart and so the routine often gets me through.  Do I love these jobs? YES! Do I want to keep doing them? YES! But what do you do when you find yourself being swirled in circles by the carousel of life?  Life on repeat- around, and around again.

I am in the midst of one of those times.  Dear reader, I need to break free.  This life is a one time shot.  Do or die, baby! Actually, it’s do and die – we all face that day when our time is up.

I have challenged myself to be the me-est me I can be.  Say all the stuff!  Do all the things! Make choices and if they don’t work make more!

Well, I am feeling better already

Let’s go carpe that diem!

Kids, Life

Tuesday tumble

veronica
The blue sky and my boy

It’s Tuesday- the first day of school for us.  I should be doing the mom thing…taking the pics. Posting on FB- Look at my gorgeous, amazing, talented offspring!  They are completely superior because they are going into — grade! Except- it kinda feels weird to me.  I love my children.  I am soooo proud of them.  Just not because they happen to be bumped up the stair step of life.  I am proud of them for so many things.  Mostly, they way they make me laugh and the fact that they are just really fabulous human beings.  So to all you school selfie takers- snap on! Just don’t be surprised if I post my kid with a misshapen pancake on their head and a goofy grin instead of a school pic.