So, What's Your Story?

Yes…yes, it was. The Creative Connection Event was indeed wonderful. I enjoyed absolutely everything about it. One of my favorite parts was getting to visit with MaryJane. Could I love her any more than I do? Nope, I don’t see how. She is everything you think she is, and more. And Meg is as precious as she seems. I was so happy to finally meet her. She’s a doll.

And you wouldn’t believe the creative talent and energy buzzing around the room. Such remarkable women. But, you know the thing I liked the most about attending?

Listening.

I sat back and listened intently to all the stories the women there shared with me. Treasures.

One of my favorite questions to ask someone I’ve just met is this: So, what’s YOUR story?

I’ve asked it in many employee interviews too. The things that someone says after you ask that oddball question are always interesting, never ever dull. Usually, their response gets to their heart: the bottom line: what really matters. They tell you the things they think is interesting about them. What sums them up.

So, let me ask you. What’s your story? What makes you YOU. What’s your individual, personal story line? How would you answer that question?

What? Mine?

Well, as you know, I tell my stories on “this here” channel every other week. You don’t have to ask me to share. I’m an open book. Probably too open for my own good.

But my “story”? I’m a mother, lawyer, Farmgirl. I like to garden, but when I do I’m probably wearing mascara. I like the woods, but am deathly afraid of snakes. The main part of my story is that I’m lucky.  Lucky, lucky, lucky. I feel like I’m living a charmed life. I’ve got this incredible man who loves me madly (for some reason.) And I love him like crazy and can tell you all the reasons! I’ve got a sweet, sweet daughter. I hit the jackpot when it comes to parents. And parents-in-law too. Just so lucky. And I’ve got this special, almost sacred place I call “The Farm.”

However, there is a part of my story that I’ve been keeping to myself. It’s the inside of my Farmhouse. I’ve gotten requests to give an interior tour, and I always skirt around the request. Sure, you’ve seen pictures of the outside of that sweet House, but I never show you inside. From the emails, I know that you think it is decorated to the hilt. That it is precious and tidy and picture-worthy.

Farmgirl Aunt Jenny made this. Awesome, isn’t it?

And I’m here to tell you: not so much.

So that’s the part of my story that I don’t usually write about. What can I say about it?

Truth: I’m terrible at decorating. Just terrible.

Truth: I’m terrible at decorating AND I’m cheap.

That means that my farmhouse is filled with mismatched hand-me-downs, flea market finds, give-aways from friends and families, and my own cast-offs.

But the other thing you should know is that I LOVE IT THAT WAY. I’m totally fine with it. No, it’s not magazine worthy, but it’s mine, filled with things I love. Color coordinated? Nope. Cutesy? Nah.

But perfect. I mean. Look at this setting.

There’s my house (before the new roof.) Who cares what the bed spread looks like when the SPREAD looks like this….

But since so many of you have asked. I’m here to share. Let’s go inside.

Here’s my love seat. Behind that beautiful magnolia, with such a delicate, sweet scent, is my love seat. It was the first one my husband and I purchased after we got married in 1991. We’ve kept it so long because we love the love seat. The shape, the colors, everything. It’s old and faded, and might smell a bit like dog, but we smile when we sit UPON it, remembering all the times we’ve sat there before. And smooched.

And that trunk I’m using for a coffee table? LOVE that thing. It’s full of old blankets and quilts. It’s rusty and blue on one side and not in the best condition, but I’ve had it forever. I picked it up at a flea market so many years ago. To me, it’s grand.

And here. On the other side of the room.

My two old pink striped chairs. My Mom gave these to us when we first got married. The one on the right came from one of my favorite aunts, Aunt Margie. She was tossing it out and gave it to Mom. The other one is one my Mom picked up from the side of the road, some one had thrown it out. She had them recovered in this pretty pink striped material and I ABSOLUTELY ADORE them. I love to sit UPON them and think about Aunt Margie and Mom.

The chicken light? I think that came from Tuesday Morning 10 or more years ago. The painting you see is my Mom’s. She is an artist. I don’t know if you can make it out, but it is of our little farmhouse.

And what do you think about that blue toolbox I’m using for a table? I’ve had that thing so long. I worked and worked and worked to clean out the oil from the inside. I finally succeeded. Now it is filled with games and puzzles. The things we do when we are there because we are so very FREE and UNPLUGGED.

I couldn’t find a picture of my fireplace. But that’s right in this room, making it cozy and warm.

One of my favorite things in the farmhouse is the kitchen stove.

The stove sealed the deal.

When the agent showed us this house and I walked into the kitchen and saw the stove, I knew. This was my farmhouse. HOUSE LOVE.

I bought this screen years ago, to go on the front door of the farmhouse I was dreaming about. Well, when I found my house, this screen did not fit. So, it is now decoration in one of the bedrooms. I don’t know if you can see this, but on it are words and sayings I wrote while I was waiting for my farm. Words of hope.

The Breakfast Nook. That antique, old, round, small, solid oak table is also one my husband and I bought when we first got married. But, it only seats 4; so, soon we replaced it with a larger table. This one was in the basement, just waiting for something. And now, here it is. It fits perfectly in the nook.

The flower is from the front yard; the bottle is a CheerWine bottle.

Ah, the phone. It came with the house. It is old and crackly; and it’s hard to hear on it anymore. But it will stay forever. It belonged to the woman who lived here for so many years. On the top of it is a strip of masking tape with the name and phone number of her sister. I mean, who could get rid of that phone??? I’ll take the crackly connection just for the way it makes me feel to talk on it.

And the phone table is from my parents. It has a seat, so you can sit and talk for ages. Cordless phones made these tables unnecessary.

And what is this? Inside the farmhouse?

Check out this decoration. A couple of cutie pie cow-people. What’s not to love, huh?

Okay, let’s head down to the basement.

Even the door is beautiful, isn’t it?

The most interesting thing about the basement is the crock in the corner. I think I’ve showed you this before. It’s cemented into the floor. Very cool. And another old stove.

So that’s the inside. Let’s head out the back door.

Oh, I’ll take that….

Just lay there and watch the sun set on the meadow.

I mean, seriously, you see why I don’t take time to decorate the inside? I’m outside most of the time I’m there.

Cosmos by the house.

The view from the front porch.

S’mores every night.

Happy, carefree child dancing in the meadow.

Lovely peace inducing lavender.

So my story? The bottom line is that I romanticize the farm life. I love the IDEA; I love the way it makes me feel to be a part of it. Escape. Re-creation. Refresh. I go there to find myself; I go there to find peace. And one day I’ll have a big green tractor….

Now, what’s YOUR STORY? Won’t you take a minute and leave a comment?

Until next time, Friends, savor the flavor of life!

Lots of love, Rebekah, The City Farmgirl

  1. Cindy says:

    Gee whizz! I wish my decorating looked so good! I love your old tool cabinet, and the trunk (I have one like it) Your little farmhouse is darling! 🙂

  2. Marilyn Freerksen says:

    What a beautiful place to live. I can’t imagine seeing those views every day.

  3. Diana Henretty says:

    I grew up in the heart of San Diego, Calif.
    Standing on my front porch one day, holding our son,
    I longed to raise him somewhere in the mountains.
    Later moving to Phoenix Arizona, once again all I dreamed
    about was a place far away from crime, drive by shootings,
    and city life.
    One day we sold our home, packed our bags, and had $1,300 in cash, I thought I was rich.
    We headed for the mountains of Montana, no home, no job,
    we had never even seen Montana, but we lived our dream
    there for 12 yrs, buying a 100 yr. old farmhouse, chickens,
    ducks, geese, goats too, and homeschooling our two kids.
    Now, the Ozarks are our home, and once again, we are living
    a dream, in different mountains, but still with hopes
    of a bright future.
    Never give up your dreams, only you can make them come true
    and live joyfully!
    Diana Henretty, Noel, Mo.

  4. Marcie says:

    …beautiful farm and farmhouse, Rebekah, inside and out. I can see why it is "good for the soul" and so peaceful. Yes, everyone needs a place like that. For me, it is also the outside. We started our hummingbird/butterfly gardens two years ago when we retired to the NE Tennessee mountains. There’s nothing like the countryside, it’s almost a magical place where we can become one with nature. I hope there will always be a countryside for the future generations to enjoy and hope that they want to connect with nature. People that don’t "step outside of the box" and see for themselves are truly missing something.

    Thank you for touching us with your beautiful words and pictures…. love the farm,
    Marcie

  5. Georgie Bender says:

    My story is all about my roots. I was born in Big Spring Texas and although I don’t leave in Big Spring I wouldn’t live anywhere else but Texas. Most of my family lives in Texas and we all have such a closeness that I couldn’t live too far from them for too long and think that it was home. Don’t get me wrong I have tried other places. When I was a child my family moved from West Texas to Anchorage Alaska and lived in Alaska for 5 years. It was wonderful we traveled up above the Arctic Circle lived on a prairie where one time the heard of buffalo up the road got out and came to eat our prairie grasses. We were even in an earthquake trimmer that shook the 3-story house full of girls; it was my sisters’ sleepover. We even came back home for a visit via Hawaii. It was a week of welcome relief from the cold weather, but nothing like Texas. When we did decide to move back we traveled by car to see the sites of the lower 48 and it was a site to see. My mom drove our station wagon and we camped out along the way. As a kid, youngest of 3 girls, I had a ball. When we got to Texas we lived with my grandparents for a short time on their ranch. I remember my grandfather giving me a pony that my uncle had and the first time that my sister and I road it I kicked it in the flanks and my mother, that was trying to take a picture of us, couldn’t because she was laughing at me yelling “it’s an earthquake, it’s an earthquake. The pony was jumping each time that I was gigging him in the flanks. Our big family outings back then were the Big Spring Junior Rodeo’s. We would all load up in the car and go out on a Friday night and watch the Rodeo. I could see my great aunts across the arena because of their Texas size hair that was jet black. During the intermission we would walk over and talk to them. My sisters were old enough to participate in the younger “kid events” that they would have at the Rodeo. My uncle even arranged for all of us, my cousins included, to ride in the parade and grand entry. I as in heaven, up until then I was not old, or big enough to participate in the Rodeo, it was a blast. We moved to Midland and at the end of my 6th grade year in school my mother bought a used motor home and took our family on a wonderful summer trip up and down the eastern coast of the United States. We visited all the battle fields, went up in the statue of Liberty’s crown, visited a grist mill and lastly went to Disney World, but we all looked forward to going home to Texas. After I graduated high school I went to college, in Texas. By this time my sisters have married two good old country boys and are living out among the cotton fields of West Texas, my grandparents have sold their farm and ranch, live in town and go into business with my great uncle. I had the opportunity to go and study abroad in Italy my first summer of college. I was so excited to go and experience another culture, beside Texan, that I stayed all summer. I even went back 15 years later for another month. Yes, it took me almost 20years to finish my degree. During that time I married had two great children and, wait for it, moved to Florida. My heart tore when we had to move such a long way away. My husband took a new job and I had to leave mine. I enjoyed the time there, because I didn’t work and got to spend time with my children, but my grandfather died and so did my marriage and I moved back to Texas after a couple of years; were my family made all the difference in the world to make my life whole again. I got a job, I finished my degree in Fine Arts and just as I was putting it all back together again I met the kindest man, Brian, he was from Kansas but loves Texas. I told him that if we got married that we would always have to live in Texas. I would love to travel and visit places, but never leave here. We did marry and we honeymooned in Gurene Texas and traveled, by car to all of the old little towns around Texas. We have also taken some really nice trips to Porte Rico, California, New Mexico, England, Scotland and next year China, but I will always be thinking of home and our family in Texas where my roots will always be firmly planted.

  6. Cheri says:

    Yea! Makes me smile. My story is close to your’s. Finally living in an 88 year old home built by my husband’s grandad. Not fancy but home. And so funny, my husband just walked in and smoothed me sitting on the couch! Home~

  7. Rebekah
    What a beautiful view and peaceful place. I could imagine myself on that hammock with a good book, or Mary Jane magazine. Your style and mine are alot alike. I too have an old trunk that was given to me by a friend who is a nun and she told me that when they first went into the order that they were given this trunk and they could only have what would fit in the trunk. Each time they moved they were only allowed to take what would fit in the trunk. Simple life. I felt very blessed that she entrusted it to me when she moved away. I too am deathly afraid of snakes. Being from Louisiana I had to deal with alot of snakes. Now my husband and I are in North Carolina and I tell people I do not allow snakes on my property. However one did find its way here and I grabbed my husbands pistol and shot it. I have not seen anymore. (and no it was not a good snake I checked first and it was headed for my chickens so……)
    We are on the outskirts of town but I would love to have a place in the mountains. The closest ones are about 2 hours away. My husband and I like to RV all over the states and mostly go to see God’s beautiful creations. (try to stay away from the touristry areas.) I have two grown sons one in NC and the other in LA. Both married, no grandchildren. (no one wants to help me in that dept.) Oh well. I have a wonderful husband who is my best friend and we do everything together. People think we spend too much time together but he always says and I agree that he can’t think of anyone better to spend his time with. (What a Sweetie). Thank you so much for sharing your little piece of serenity with us.
    Be Blessed.
    Ms Scarlette

  8. Brenda says:

    I had a stove like that once, gave it up for a newer stove and have kicked my self quite often for it. I also have my dads old wooden tool box. It sits on a bench and is filled with gardening book, stuffed bears ect. It depends on which grandchild is visiting on how much is left in it at the end of the day. I love your style because it is pretty close to my style.

  9. Debbie says:

    Hi Rebekah!
    Um… the heck you can’t decorate! The inside of your farmhouse is filled with such soul and love! It just oozes warmth! Simple farm house living to a T! I’m a huge fan of cast offs ( that’s part of my story ) because they tell their own and our home and cottage are filled with them too. My story? Well, Like you, I’m lucky beyond my wildest dreams and a farmgirl at heart who loves sharing in my little space next to yours on this here channel every two weeks! I so enjoy your posts!
    Sending love and Beach Blessings!
    Deb

  10. Denise says:

    This was a great story….and a beautiful house and family. We moved from Las Vegas to the Ozarks and lived there for about 5 years…I had a blog about my funny adventures http://www.citygirlintheozarks.blogspot.com
    I think it is still up–. We have been back in Las Vegas for a couple of years now–and ready to move back….never thought I would miss the country–but I do…so down deep I guess I really am a country girl. Hopefully we are moving back this spring.

  11. Sherri Berri says:

    Your place is whole lot like mine. I love you nest and isnt it about what we love more than what goes with what? Colors? i love them all so i put lots per room. My kitchen table is the one i ate on growing up at home….it was old then passed down from prior generations. LOVE IT.

    My story, well i got a late start. We just purchased our "farm" last year. Old repo on 44 acres. My husband is 62 and I am 56 but we have some great plans for retirement. He got his first ever tractor and is loving it. I’m putting in berries for when I retire and can add income by selling at farmers market along with some produce. Chickens are next,,,,in the spring. Still working full time….but retiring looms ahead in the not too far future. Purchased tractor number 2, a 1949 Allis Chalmer. our house is not big but cozy and we’ve had to do alot of work to make it ours….the upstairs hasnt been touched…yet…. Thanks for your posts, love reading them

  12. carol branum says:

    Hi Becka,Wonderful!I love your blog,I will show you mine at a later date,we have been cleaning and I have a mess at the the farm,daddy got into the scrap business after moma died and talk about a mess,and its my job to clean it all up,because hopefully I will live there full time soon,so we have been working on it,and I get very discouraged.Luckily the scrap is worth money and I am hopeing to make enough on the scrap to do the repairs.We have had set backs,a new transmission in the pickup this week,can,t haul scrap without the pickup,and health issues,running to the doctor with this one or that one,so I get discouraged with progress.But,after seeing your lovely blog,I must not give up!I write about my lifestory on the blog,themofarmersdaughter.blogspot.com,Have a good day,hubby is handsome,and daughter makes me jelous,love ya,carol branum

  13. brenda says:

    love your home isn’t nice to have things around you that brings memories of someone you love and your view outside is heaven too. My house is all mix match but that is me. Enjoy life daily life can be short.

  14. Oh, how much I love when everyone shares!

    My story is all about life moving forward and being full of goats! I’m a Town House Farm Girl, but that hasn’t stopped me from having….guests! You can read all about it at:
    http://www.thegoatborrower.blogspot.com

    In the meantime……I love my Mary Jane magazine! 😉

    Have a wonderful and creative Autumn day!
    ~Mimi

  15. Evelyn says:

    Thank you for sharing your gift of a glimpse into your private life. I love to see how other people live. The house was beautiful and the scenery breathtaking. Unlike the new houses built today, the old ones have real character. You can feel the pride of craftsmanship. The old houses have a soul.

  16. Deborah Bessom says:

    So, what’s my story? Well, I’m a wife, mother, and grandmother. My story isn’t about the house I live in or the land that I own. My story is about my faith in God, to whom I belong. My story is centered around His story. I was born in Texas, my parents moved us to Oklahoma, and then to California (where we arrived on my 5th birthday). I was raised in the church, but like many teenagers, I walked away from my faith for a season. The birth of my first child is what brought me back to Christ, knowing that there was only one way to raise my child. I’ve never looked back. While my life isn’t perfect, I am full. The simple things in life I find in the Mary Jane magazine are uplifting, and challenges me to enjoy all that God has blessed me with.

  17. Cindy says:

    When I first read your question, "What is your story?" my thoughts went to my past. Unfortunately, mine has was not "lucky." But after a bit of thought I decided that my story does not have to be about my past – that is not who I am today. Today I am "lucky." I am married to a man that loves me dearly and I have two grandchildren close by that are the light of my life. My husband and I retired to 66 acres in Southern Colorado, built our own house and are raising milk goats. It is alot of work, but we love the peace and quiet. In my last house every square inch of the walls were decorated, but here we have huge windows and the outdoors are our decorations. It was a year after we were in the house before I even hung up a picture. I did not want to distract from the view that we have. We had friends over for Thanksgiving and it was snowing like crazy. The wife said, "I feel like I am in a giant snowglobe." This is now my story and I feel very lucky.

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