In the Moment

I often think about things I’d love to blog about, a project I am doing, a good recipe share, cool projects my boy is working on, my life enthralling thought of the day…yet it often never materializes.  Life is busy and although I find this space to be therapeutic it is just not one of those life sustaining tasks I must complete, kinda like folding socks.  Not happening as of lately!


A couple weeks back I was sipping some of Maine Man’s homemade brew with a friend and she said, “I know what your can blog about, do a post on some of the struggles you’ve had lately, how life isn’t always grand, about being stuck in the sandwich generation.”


After she left I thought she is right, it is a post so many could relate to.  She too has her struggles while raising four young children in addition to  managing the care of her two ailing parents.






MM & I have been care- taking to some degree now for well over 4 years.  Started with some neighbors and now we are managing the care of a few close relatives in addition to raising our children, working, and tending this  small farm with the never ending to-do list.


It is no place you even envision yourself especially when you are young.  I alway pictured us raising our children then helping our parents as they advance in their age.  NOT!  If there is one thing I have learned in life is that LIFE will never go as you have planned!   But some how you have to learn to roll with it and have faith that everything will work out eventually despite the hardships and struggles you go through along the way.

Now more then ever I find myself more present in the moment.  Not in everything I do but most noticeably when doing chores.  I was just telling my Dad last night that I use to despise housework for a good many years, in particular dishes and laundry.   Now I find it therapeutic.  Weird, but true!  Just something about the rhythmic, repetitive nature of it.  The zone time to think and process all that life has in store for you.





I have no doubt that someday I will look back at it all and have no regrets for the sacrifices we have made to help others but regardless there are a good many days I struggle to keep my sanity.  Life is not without challenges and in these trying times is when we do our most significant personal reflection and spiritual growth.

The Little Things in Life are the Big Things

I know......I've been a BAD blogger, nearly 2 weeks from my last post. It is nice to feel missed as evidence by an e-mail I received last night from my cousin.

One of our Muscovies hatched out 10 ducklings a couple days ago. Aren't they just the cutest animal EVER? CB's incubator is full of duck eggs so we have more on the way.
Life has been busy but.....I will be posting again real soon.

GOOD DAY EVERYONE!

Moose Hunt

CB has been fortunate this fall having more hunting experiences as a first year hunter then most do in many years of hunting.

He has been hunting birds for the past month, even shot a rabbit. He also had the chance to go on a moose hunt with his father and his grandfather (my dad). Which is a unique experience, MM has been in the drawing for 20+ years and he has only been drawn once to go on a moose hunt. Next is Youth Deer day which is this coming Saturday.

Let me just tell you that I LOVE that this boy is SO passionate about hunting. NEVER thought I'd say that! The initial thought of him carrying a gun in the woods made me feel ill. But after watching MM prep him I have faith that with the continued guidance from his dad he will be safe. I think this is an important life skill and find comfort that he will someday be able to provide healthy food for his family just as his Daddy has throughout the years.

Celebrating 15 years of Marriage

I am grateful for the life I share with Maine Man!

A quote I like.....

"I don't pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you." -Author Unknown

LOVE YOU MAINE MAN~THANKS FOR JUST BEING YOU!!

Here is to 50 more good years!

Fair Preparations

Tonight I am putting together a display for our local fair. Last year we entered some vegetables and photos. This year with our farm exhibit we need to display at least 20 items that we produce on our farm. It also has to be educational and will be judged on appearance. Can't wait to see how it comes out! Hoping to win a prize ;) Pictures to follow. Wish me luck :)
P.S. Amy you are right! I do work best under pressure....

Special Visitor

A couple posts back I mentioned that we were getting a visitor from inner city New York. We were united through the Fresh Air Fund. We were fortunate to get such a LOVELY young lady! She was a PERFECT fit with our family!

She helped in the gardens even cooked us breakfast two mornings in a row.

Obsessively picked eggs ;)

She even got to drive the tractor.

Play with Jesse

Catch her FIRST fish and MANY more thereafter.

Have the time of her life tubing

Swim for hours

Go out in the boat

Eat lobster

Join us in a very special event

in search of seashells & crabs

Our hope is to stay in touch and have her back again next year !

Embracing Nature

Today the weather was absolutely GORGEOUS!

What started out as me heading out on the back forty for a work-out turned into a family affair.

This patch of pines is one of my favorite spots in the trail.

We scouted out many paw prints: rabbit, squirrel, partridge, and deer....not sure what the above is. I thought a bear but Maine Man suspected it may be a coyote. What do you think?

Almost forgot to mention (not)...I bought a new camera. Wooo Hooo, I have been talking about it for a year now. Ha, I had to prep MM for the purchase ;) It is a Canon Rebel XS. I love it but figured out quickly that I need a telephoto lens sooner than later. That may send MM over the edge. He's REALLY frugal, not a bad thing. I'll just tell him after I order it like I did with the camera. Prep him, Order it, then Tell him. Sneaky... Still each others best friend although they'd never admit it.

Later in the day MM did some experimental planting in the greenhouse. It had to be at least 70 degrees in there. He planted a few potatoes we had sprouting in the cellar and a couple garlic cloves. Now as I type he and his girl are in the kitchen starting tomatoes, onions, and green peppers.

He tilled in the ashes. We have burned wood exclusively this season except this past weekend as we were away. I had to order oil for the for the first time this winter, it was painful!

Hard to believe this coming fall he will be carrying around a real gun in the woods.

I am just thankful he has a Dad that will safely guide him through this phase of his life.

We ended the afternoon with a sled ride and a fire.

Now we are watching the Olympics.

Lovely day!

Life is good!

Confessions Don't Always Come Easy

This past week Flower Girl was "Star Student." Over the weekend she had the privilege of bringing home a "special" bag filled with goodies. One of the items was a stuffed frog. Upon awakening one morning we discovered that Mr. Frog was missing an eye most likely by one of our naughty dogs. The eye was no where's to be found. FG was devastated, big tears and all! I told her that I would buy a new one to replace it, she declined. I offered to make a fancy little eye patch, she was all set with that. Last minute Monday night Maine Man opted to do some repairs of his own.

(donor)

FG was to scared to tell her teacher what happened so this morning I wrote a letter to her teacher to ease the pain of FG's confession.

Dear Mrs .........,

This weekend when FG had the "star student" bag the frog sustained and injury loosing on of his eyes. (? the dogs) FG's dad found a donor and performed a transplant. The color doesn't quite match but he has nearly perfect vision. If the transplant fails we will be more than willing to replace the frog.

Respectfully, The ........

P.S. Sorry for the mishap

Now I am just hoping she has the courage enough to give it to her. She was scared she'd "get in trouble". Then I told her about a story when I was in first grade. I was at the chalkboard and I peed my pants. Sr. Rita asked who had done it and I didn't dare admit. She went around and felt every one's bum until she discovered I was the guilty one. I was humiliated in front of the entire class! Had I only admitted my fault initially. The kids were quite entertained by that story.

Face your fears baby! Can't wait to see how she did.

To a Child Love is spelled T-I-M-E

After dropping the kids of at school this morning I was suddenly overcome with emotion. There is just no love like the love you have for your children! Today I came across this brief video, within moments I was in tears. For those of you who like myself always strive to be a better parent please take a moment to watch, it is inspiring!

TO THE WORLD, YOU MAY JUST BE ONE PERSON.....BUT TO ONE PERSON YOU MIGHT JUST BE THE WORLD.

We Made it.....14 years and counting!

Just a real quick post in comparison to last year's anniversary post and a picture showing our true age. You'd have to click and see the picture from back in the beginning of time.

Maine Man most of all just a big thanks for just being the man you are. We appreciate all your hard work and dedication to our family. Here's to 50 more..........

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BABE! XO

Pig Roast ~ Picture Tribute for my Big Brother~

Steve, here they are! Better late then never. A couple weeks ago we had a pig roast to celebrate my OLDER only brother's birthday. It was one of the best parties we've ever hosted and the biggest (nearly 100 guests) one we have ever had here on the farm. It was so nice to get together with family and friends. I am thinking we should make this an annual event!

My niece (Steve's youngest)

Steve, Cousin Gary, and Uncle Everett

High school friend Travis and yours truly.

My brother and some of his friends.

Step-sister Sue & My Step Mom Carole

Cousin Denise & her daughter Colby

Steve and his oldest Meagan

My SWEET sister in- law and the babe!

My Maine Man and Neighbor Gary

Joni ~ Steve's significant other. She's a KEEPER!

My best bud Mary & her ex Leo who we still love dearly!

My AWESOME neighbors Dawn & Gary!

My Step Sister's Hubby Leo and Mary's Amazing Hubby Eric.

That water stain on his t-shirt is from doing lots of dishes and keeping my house in order as the party went on. Thanks so much Mary and Eric for all your help, you two Rock!

My friend Melissa's boy, Cam & Luke. The baby bunnies were a big hit!

Callie patiently waiting for a treat

Cousin Gary and his beautiful wife Denise.

Great friends Shawn & Marie

My girl Melissa

Uncle Norman

Cousin Ben's daughter

Joni's sister and her children

Everyone was amazed by the animals we have.

Mom (left) chatting with cousin Pat. God I love her spunk!

Cousin (crazy) Ricky and Diane

My Step Mom who is the one of the sweetest women I know. I was talking with her sister the other day and she said "She could write Hallmark cards". I couldn't have said it better! I called today to wish my Dad a happy birthday and 1 1/2 hours later I got off the phone with her.

Oh yes & Cousin Dave (Patsy's husband)

Chicken Tractor converted into a rabbit tractor. We are up to 26 baby meat babies and we just breed 2 of our does for a second time. Hope we like rabbit. Glad I am not part of the kill because I just can't stop kissing these cute little critters. We will see how this all works out.

My Cousin Rick's daughter Leah & Jillian

Our friend Jason

Don't ask!

We planned to eat at 5pm but the pig was a little delayed....3 Hours!!

Thankfully we had lots of food that people brought and I had cooked up 4 of our broilers. The pork was Delicious and well worth waiting for!

Thanks Maine Man for all your hard work!

Take note of this crew. They played a REAL interesting card game come midnight!

He even got 40 spanks.

It was a riot. I wish I would have put my camera on video mode!

Cousin Mike & Lisa

THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME & MADE IT HAPPEN.

LOVE YOU BROTHER!