Creating Your Own Happiness

This past year was a year of personal revelations for me. I am creeping up on 40 you see.  Last July I found myself soul searching deeper then I’ve ever dug before.   I asked myself, ” what makes me happy” and “what makes me not”.  I formulated a mental list and well I must admit I was a little verbal too.  And damn I’ve been sticking to it and for that I am in a peaceful space!


  

Overall I would consider myself a pretty happy person, although I have my moments…usually hormonally driven.  But I would find myself in situations that did make me a tad bit miserable.  For instance, I HATE shoveling load after load of mulch hay to the compost pile.   Maine Man not so much, he views it as a work out that he actually accomplishes something other then the work out.  I would much prefer to go to the gym and get my butt whipped by a coach.  I LOVE goats, they are a lot of fun but they are also a TON of work and if you have enough of them they can be very costly.  I loved milking, the process of it and the availability of fresh, raw milk .   But it was time consuming and tied me down big time.  I decided to get rid of the goats, I now spend five to eight dollars a week for a gallon of fresh, organic, raw Jersey milk.  Much freakin easier and a heck of a lot less money then all those stinkin’ goats were consuming.





When we first started this journey on the farm my thoughts were to be as self-sufficient as possible.  I slowly realized how much work that was.  Really, it is a full-time job plus.  I am now in a place that I don’t feel we need to do all.  There are other off-farm adventures in life I want to and will experience. Looking back I spent enough money taking beekeeping classes and getting set up to tend bees that I probably could have supplied us with local honey for the next 5 years.  Crazy, huh?  My plan is to offer up our land to an experienced bee keeper to put his or her hives here and I will follow them around and learn as I go before jumping on that bandwagon again.  Therefore we will get all the benefits of the bees, hands on training, and maybe a little honey too.  I would also recommend to anyone getting into bees to join a bee club….a mistake I made.  They are complex little buggers, more so then most can imagine.  It is nice to have experienced people to guide you through your beekeeping experience.


.


I do like honey especially on homemade toast with a bit of peanut butter but maple syrup is my preferred natural sweetener of choice.  Fortunately, despite the wacky winter we had we still managed to put up approximately 4 gallons of syrup for pancakes, waffles, and I use it in my coffee. Maine Man is also in the process of making some maple wine.  Can’t wait to sample that.




In addition to weeding out the things that create misery in daily farm life I also made a stance on a personal level.  Instead of constantly doing for others I plan in time for taking care of me on a regular basis.  My kids are older now and very independent.  I am a much happier momma/wife for that.  I will end this rant with a saying that pretty much sums it up…..

• Eat like you love yourself.
• Move like you love yourself.
• Speak like you love yourself.
• Act like you love yourself.

 

Making Your Own Path

 

 

I get tons of questions regarding homeschooling on a regular basis.  Sometimes because people are genuinely interested and other times because people are skeptical.  Whatever….either way, it is the path we have chosen for our family.  Our children being involved in the decision.  If they choose to return to public school tomorrow we would be ok with that.  On days that I am frustrated and fatigued honestly that is my biggest threat.  Not necessarily the right thing but I’m just keeping it real.  Heck, I try to be a good Momma but I certainly would never place for mother of the year.  Maine Man’s paternal grandmother actually was honored with that title and she had 12 children I believe.  Imagine that?

 

Homeschooling is not the ideal situation for many but I am fortunate enough to have a partner that believes in it as much as I do.  Sometimes when I question my own sanity he reminds me that we are doing the right thing. I respect MM’s opinion so I know when he says that, he is right.  We are also fortunate to work in positions that accommodate  flexible scheduling allowing us to work opposite so one of us is always home with the kids.

 

My best advice to give someone who is interested in homeschooling is to choose two or three homeschool families in your area and visit with them.  Pick their brains, ask them what they think the pros and cons are, curriculum questions and such.  Homeschool families often take different approaches.  That is the beauty of it, you can do what works best for your family.

 

 

 

There are many perks to homeschooling but their is also a great deal of sacrifice.  One of the greatest things is that you get to spend a great deal of time with your family.

 

However, that can also be one of the most challenging parts of homeschooling.  I am thankful for my job, the gym, and friends and family that the kids spend time with allowing for time apart.  Separation brings a sense of appreciation to all.