Farm Livin' Ain't the Life For Me

I've grown accustomed to this farm life. Okay, so technically we don't live on a farm. TECHNICALLY. However, because The Man works on a farm, he brings home the smell every day. My FIL was also a farmer for quite some time. The boys still tinker around with equipment including tractors weekly. My FIL has Beef Cows, so there is barn to clean and hay to bale. The Man is always helping out. And believe me a farmers life is never done. There is ALWAYS something to do. So even though we don't live on a real live farm, we're involved in the process quite a bit between the two farms.

My FIL got out of farming before I met my husband. Since then he has rented his land out to our neighbors. They're wonderful people with a thriving farm. That being said, their hired men are constantly up here (they live down the road), spreading manure and the like. You can hear the tractors whirl by early, most days around 7 am. I sure do love summer, but the smell of manure that wafts through the air is enough to annoy me. And lately, I've been less than thrilled about them driving by constantly. You think I'd be used to it by now, or maybe I'm in a funk, but I'd love to tell them that they should just quit for the day and spread the poop somewhere else. I have a new clothes line that I faithfully use, but don't want the smell on the clothes. Things like this irk me. Two summers ago, Fourth Of July weekend (it was on a weekend that year) they were out spreading manure during the day. I wanted to call them, because I was so mad. I realize they're paying to use this land (there sure is a lot of it to use), but for crying out loud. Don't they know people are having picnics during the 4th? They wouldn't want poop spread by their house before a party. Have some respect for others.



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This weekend we're celebrating a graduate. My Nattie will graduate from kindergarten and we're going to party. So here's to hoping there isn't poop smell in the air for my guests!

Livin The Simple Life

Let me say this...I am LIGHT-YEARS behind the rest of the world and I never realized it until lately.
It all started when I started my job a while back. The girls I work with all have IPhones and sit and play Words With Friends on their breaks (this doesn't happen often let me tell ya). Then there's the comments, "You don't have an IPhone?!"

How dare I not own the latest technology?

I had a Blackberry. I loved the heck out of the thing. Loved it so much it broke 3 times in the two years that I owned it. So, I would be without a phone for a week at a time, waiting for the lovely phone company to send me a new one. It was annoying. Do you know what it's like to live without your phone that you're so attatched to? Yeah. It hurt. Then came the monthly bill...With three people on our plan we payed out the nose for cell service. I hated that bill. Every stinkin month, paying more than $200 for a stupid cell phone. By the time my phone broke for the third time I said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I went to the cell store and picked myself up the cheapest phone that I could find. You know - the dreaded free one. The free cell phone with no apps, only texting. Yep. I cut the umblical cord. GASP. How dare she?! My husband uses a Rugby for good reason. The farmer and the dell. He breaks his phones constantly, but since he got the Rugby it's never broken. So he can have his little luxury. I'll use my cheap phone and be content.

You know what else?! Are you ready for this?!

We don't have a Wi, an Ipad, a Kindle, Wifi, laptops, or any other new technology that keeps popping up. WHY?! HOW DO YOU LIVE IN AMERICA WITHOUT THESE LUXURIES?

I'm not sure why we don't keep up on technology. We have cell phones. We have cable, telephone, and internet - and it's not dial up. But we don't have all that extra stuff creeping up around us begging to be played with. I love going to lawn sales and buying books for a quarter. I love that I can read them thirty times or once and have the book on my self forever. I have the internet on my computer in my living room. My house is small. I don't need to transport an IPad throughout my house to make myself feel important. I just don't.

We're busy people. We work crazy hours between the farm and the hospital. Between sports, and summer rec leagues, early bedtimes, and playing with our kids, we don't have time to be texting every second of the day, or reading constantly. I went to Bible Study one night and one of the girls had the Bible App on her phone, so she wouldn't have to cart around a Bible. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I cherish my Bible and all the scribbles and notes in the corners. I love the tatered worn leather cover and the crumpled pages. It means so much to me, because it was a gift and I cherish it. I can't imagine giving up my worn Bible for an app on my IPhone.

I'm old fashioned. My mother is more technilogically advanced than I. She has a Nook, an Ipad, and an IPod. Weird. But I'll take laughter in my house, family dinners, closeness with my kiddos, and happy times over all that other junk that costs lots of money and eventually breaks. I love my sweet little life and I won't be exchanging it for technology any time soon!

Julie

A Hiatus...Yes. That's what I'll call my lack of blogging for a half a year...
A Vacation? Nope. That would not be what I would call it!

I'm back. After working nights for months and losing myself while I was doing it, while struggling with the first trimester of a pregnancy, all while trying to manage a house, kids, my husband, our life. Yuck. It was a mess.

Baby I'm back!

Summer is on its way and I cannot wait. The kids will be out of school in two weeks. We'll be going on Field Trips, going to bed early, and wearing summer clothes until then. But after that...It's staying up late, sleeping in, partying, eating popsicles, going swimming, playing outside all day so that at night the bath water turns brown from the crud. I.CANNOT.WAIT!

We live in NY. A state that believes in lllloooonnnnnggggg breaks and frequent days off during the calendar year. As a parent, it annoys me. Being a working mom, trying to figure out which day we're in school and when we're off and trying to schedule those days off can be a pain. I don't cherish it. I grew up in a state where we were in school by the end of August and out the 1st of June. We actually HAD a summer to enjoy. Not in NY. I wish they'd figure it out here, but in the mean time, I'll just enjoy the time we get together anyway.

So check back. I'll be back posting often (hopefully). We've got lots going on in our world!

<3

Julie

A Little R and R

First day of work down! What a change?! My word! I'm relaxing today...By relaxing I mean I did the least amount of "housework" possible. I did a few loads of laundry, I'm going to get around to doing the dishes soon. But the rest of the night I've got a date...

www.google.com

As I mentioned before, I'm in a Bible Study. It's Thursday nights with a wonderful group of christian women. I have learned a ton, and found a lot of new friends. I look forward to going. Anway - This fall they decided to have a Mens Thursday Night Study...Guess what it was on? Courageous. So the men all went to the local theater, watched the movie, then spent the next few months going over the book.

http://www.christianbook.com/courageous

I begged, begged, and begged my husband to take me to the movies to watch it. Did he? Nah. He doesn't like to go to the movies...Why? Because it costs too much. Thirty dollars later you could have done a lot more. So we tend to watch movies at home. Which is what I am doing tonight. Remote in hand, watching Courageous with some tissues! Watch it too. I'm sure we'll all learn something and love it!

http://www.shutterstock.com/blog/2010/03/free-popcorn-stock-photo/

Head on over to  http://www.courageousthemovie.com/ for more info!

Love,

Julie

A Skiing We Will Go

We live near a Ski Resort...I wouldn't exactly call it a resort. To me, because I worked there part time for four winters, it is anything but a "resort." However, it is really nice to have it so close by. My husband and I were married at this "resort." We've gone there countless times for dinners, weddings, parties, and just for fun. They offer a lot of cool things for familys!

My MIL works there still and has for a good many years. She pulled a few strings last year (she should be able to my word the woman works hard!), and Natalie was able to go skiiing for free with lessons in a little program. She learned some basics, got hooked, and now, I can see my future...every winter dropping her off to ski with God knows who...haha! Let's rein it in here...

Anywoo...Wasn't I going somewhere with this?

Oh, right. So this year Nat is in kindergarten. She's no longer eligible for a "free" pass, so my husband got her one. My MIL (another score here) got my husband a pass too, because anyone who skis knows, "it ain't cheap"! They geared up last night for the first night of skiing! Here's some photos of them getting ready...

Getting her boots on

 Showing off her new coat thanks to Grandma!

  Everyone say cheese!

Could we please take a decent picture here??

 

 TRAVIS! Stop it!

Okay, finally! Thank you!

Ready to Go!!!

And they had a blast! Up late, but enjoyed their time together...Maybe next time I'll bring the camera to take pictures of them actually skiing??

Love,

Julie

PS! My husband is an adorable human being. In the above photos he looks like a cave man. He doesn't always have the hideous beard. Infact, I do believe that he is keeping the ugly thing just to mess with me. Because that's what we do. Act like 5 year olds most of the time! So sorry you had to endure the "beard." Its sooo wrong!

Resolve to Resolve

Do you ever sit and plan things out? I'm a list maker myself...

I'll write a list every day that I'm not working, with the "hope" to get some of it done. If I don't make a list...I won't - repeat WON'T do a darn thing all day. So this year, after the New Year, I thought, "hmmm...I should write down some New Years Resolutions."

But, I didn't.

Instead, I kept the list in my head. I think every single year I make that list, check it twice, and by this time that year, I haven't kept up with my "resolutions." However, ahem, excuse the cough, but I'm proud of myself. I have managed to keep up with my "resolutions." They aren't anything exciting let me tell you! So here they are, my resolutions...

1. Read, Pray, and just spend some quiet time with God each morning.

If I'm working I tend to do this in my car. I'm involved in two bible studies, plus a weekly study at Sunday School. I don't know about you, but that is just over kill sometimes. I mean, isn't it nice just to sit and talk to God...not worrying about what page I have to hurry up and get done by Sunday morning. It helps that I got a new Devotional this year for Christmas!

**Don't click to open...It won't work. I'm challenged...Click the Link Below

http://www.amazon.com/Confident-Woman-Devotional-Daily-Inspirations/dp/0446568880

So I resolve to talk to God, worship him, and just be still. I'm enjoying it! I've also been keeping up with my prayer journal. Anyone have one of those???

My word, I love mine. You cannot know how cool it is to sit down and go back through yours to see what prayers have been answered. I prayed last year to be done with my current job just before Christmas. I didn't want to have to tolerate that place anymore. Well, God's timing is perfect, because guess who interviewed for a new job two days before Christmas? And who is in the process of finishing out my two weeks?! Yahoo. God is awesome!

2. Learn a new Bible verse WEEKLY.

This one I was pretty pumped about. People quote scripture so often on their facebook pages, blogs, etc. I am not kidding, I could memorize a verse and two months later, not really remember the whole thing. I'm 25, but my memory is Horrid...(ask my husband about it...Hense the lists). So, I started memorizing scripture.

Pasted right there on my bathroom mirror. So I can stare at it instead of myself haha! It has really helped to have it posted there. No lie. I cannot tell you how much time I find myself in my bathroom between the hair, makeup, shower, shaving...Oh Lord I could go on!

3. To Craft More!

Amen. Enough Said. I do not, repeat, do not, allow myself to craft enough! I started making hair bows for my daughter last month. It was a flop to say the least. Watching someone on YouTube show me how to fold a hair bow, when I completely bought the wrong ribbon was a d.i.s.a.s.t.e.r. However, I resolve to start one project (AND FINISH IT) each month. I'm behind...but picture...

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2011/09/ruby-pearl-and-opal-quilt.html#more

Lets all sigh...

Ah...

I will be making this quilt for my sweet daughter. Which I'm preparing myself WAY in advance that it'll take longer than one month, but atleast its something. I also got a Hobby Lobby gift card for Christmas. So, who wouldn't want to craft with that baby in your wallet?

4. PARTY MORE!

Okay, not the keg Red Solo Cup kind of a party. But party with my kiddies. Every single month has a theme. We all know that from elementary school. So what am I doing wasting my time not enjoying this fun time with my family?

January will be a Snowman party! Here's a little inspiration for my party...I started these bad boys yesterday. You'll see that all later!

5. Keep my house cleaner...

We live in a 14x80 foot space. It's bigger than an apartment in NYC, (well some of them haha) but we've outgrown "the love shack" as my mother calls it. We bought a trailer when we were first starting out. The plan was to build a house in a couple years. Flash forward 4 years later (MENTAL NOTE: is that really all? man it feels like we have been here F.O.R.E.V.E.R and not in a good way) ah...Anyway we're still here. Over croweded, stuffed in. And it' is hard to keep it clean with a two year old. But I'm proud to say, it has been pretty darn clean lately. I wouldn't lick my floors or anything...but Mom - you'd be proud!


So that is it my loves. Five things to do this year. And trust me. None of them are hard. I'm not prepping for a marathon or even to lose 100 pounds like Jennifer Hudson (You go Girl!). I'm just trying to be a better wife, Christian, and mother!


What were your resolutions?

 Love,
Julie

Two Weeks Notice

Yep, God answers prayer. He may be slower at it then we want him to be...But eventually...He'll show up. And always in a way we never expected. I love him!

I have worked at a small rural hospital since I graduated from nursing school in 2009. It seems that the trend for nurses was growing...just not in our area. I found a job 45 miles from home. Thank the Good Lord that I only work three days a week!! I have honed in on some nursing skills while there, got my confidence, and learned a few million things! I've made some good friends, laughed, cried, held dying patients hands, been peed on, puked on (I'll save that story for another day because it was good!), and lost some coworkers to cancer. It has been a whirlwind of two and half years...But...

I hated my drive. 45 miles. One hour. Twice a day for three days a week. I wouldn't see my kids for two whole days, because usually I worked back to back days. It's been torture. My prayer journal has "my job" written in it every.single.day that I have managed to write in it. No lie. Every. Single. Day! I hated going to work. Okay, I didn't hate it, but I hated the commute, the long days, the tired feet, and the emotional strain it has all taken on me. I'm sleep deprived by the time my day off comes, I won't do a darn thing at home all day long. It just isn't healthy. Not to mention how much I missed my husband and kids.

My prayer was to be done with work by Christmas. I had been praying for that for a while now. Christmas - no more long commute. Okay, that could happen right?

Right.

Well...You know when you're not really looking, when you stop caring then BAM. It smacks you in the face? I gave up on being done with my job by Christmas long about Thanksgiving. You see, I had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year. I just couldn't bear to miss all of that excitement two days in a row. I stopped praying to be done, because honestly, I didn't think it'd happen.

One Sunday night my mom calls me. Knowing I wanted to leave my little hospital, the drive, and the exhaustion, she always is on the look out for a job for me. She called me frantically. There's jobs posted for ***** (name left out, but another small, rural hospital ten minutes from my house.)

Me: "I'm out of printer ink. Can you send my resume tomorrow?"

Mom: "I'll do you one better, I'll fax it."

Yippee! Only, I didn't hang on to the hope of going there, because well, to be honest, I wasn't thrilled about the idea. I knew that I'd be giving up some things at my current job. I wasn't quite ready for that. We're union. Don't shoot! Our union works out well for us. I always defend it. I'm a law abiding, rule following citizen. But the union has saved my butt a few times. I liked it.

Anway!

Four days before Christmas ***** called. Asking for an interview on Thursday, which happened to be my day off. Of course I'd come in!

And I did. Interviewed. Left. Had lunch with my dad and drove home praying about what to do. I celebrated that weekend...actually I got Christmas off. We celebrated Monday too - just for fun! And by Tuesday the call came..."We'd like to offer you the position at this pay rate."

AHEM? What? That pay rate. I almost chocked. Five dollars less than what I'm making now. Five dollars adds up let me tell ya!

I called my husband. My mother. Prayed. And questioned myself and this decision. I knew. I so knew in my heart what to do. That my friends is my good friend Jesus.

Because wouldn't you know...after you figured the rate of insurance, union dues, and dental insurance that I pay per pay period, I will end up missing a whole $55. Yep, $55. That is it. So then I thought more (because I think waaayyy too much) and guess what? My husbands job reimburses us for our insurance. So guess who ends up on top? Yeah, that'd be us. And thats before the $250 plus spent on gas per month!

Praise God!

I will be saying my goodbyes this week. I'm honestly ready for a new start. A FRESH start. I'm ready...Plus, this is God working! Amen! It was all in his hands, I gave it up to him. And he released me!

Have you ever just given something to God and let him run with it?

Love,

Julie