Why I Like My Life, or…

[Previous Rural Farmgirl, June 2010 – January 2012]

…Counting my blessings and implementing the “Attitude of Gratitude.” After not being able to wait until October to read the October/November issue of MaryJanesFarm, I am, right away, going to begin acknowledging (in a bigger way) the blessings and sheer miracles that already abound in my life. I would like to share them with you, and hopefully help to inspire farmgirls everywhere, in every situation, to find one — just ONE — thing that you are thankful for (from that last stick of Doublemint gum to our very lives) and just take a moment to say a quiet (or loud, if it’s your style!), “thank you,” to the Universe for all that we DO have.
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  1. Denise says:

    Seeing your boys is a blessing. Love lists and you have me thinking of all the wonderful blessings…fall lettuce, beautiful leaves turning color, my son, my husband, oh the list could continue..

  2. a young girl says:

    I am thankful for my husband . I am so happy he wants to start farming. and Iam thankful that we are young and have our whole life ahead of us. and I am thankful for people like Mrs. Libbie and Mary Janes farm that help us to move closer to our farming dreams.

  3. I have so much to be thankful for, My Charlie and I are retired, we have 4 Children between us and each have one in heaven. We love to travel and do things together. We like to garden and fish and just being together. Our health is pretty good now and we thank the good Lord for that. Our little world is wonderful and we do enjoy it a lot. Thank You Lord above. Hugs Juanita

  4. Children of any age always bring a glow of warmth to a mother’s heart. And now I can add GRANDchildren to that! I spent the entire day yesterday (9 1/2 long, tiring and I-wouldn’t-change-a-minute-for-the-world hours) taking care of my one-year-old granddaughter. I am so grateful for family. I also am grateful for the love and friendship of my hubby and best friend Bruce. Life is fun – and funny – with him! We are healthy, happy, and very lucky. Life is good. And thank you, Libby, for reminding us to count our blessings. You have a precious family too! Hugs, Cathy

  5. I do so enjoy your blog. I am so thankful for my wonderful husband, daughter and son-in-law. We are about to begin a new journey in our life too. Our little granddaughter, Morgan, is due in 4 weeks and we can hardly wait. She is our first grandchild, my husband is retiring in April and we will have been married 40 years in March. Sooo much to be thankful for. You have a lovely family and your blog just gives me that boost, that sometimes we all need. Thank You.

  6. Debbie says:

    Libbie,
    This is such a sweet post and so needed… Why is it we all too often need " reminding" to count our blessings? Well, we could go on forever about that. You asked what wonders inhabit OUR WORLDS…My wonders are my family! What serendipity that just last week I wrote a poem titled WONDER.

    It’s about two of my wonders who were once small, full of " it " and spent their fair share of time covered in mud just like yours! Our wonders are now a teen-aged boy and girl…I was thinking about how fast the " wonder " years passed with our children and this poem just popped into my head!

    WONDER

    Where will you go?
    Who will you be?

    It wasn’t so long ago,
    you were only up to my knee,

    In just a short time,
    you’ll be free
    to wander the world,
    and see what you want to see.

    But, I’ll never forget
    the wonder of you
    when you were small,
    just turning two

    You were always with me
    safe and sound,
    ready for another game of peak- a-boo!

    The smell of your hair,
    the feel of your skin
    That smile of yours,
    my heart you did win.

    Where will you go?
    Who will you be?

    You’ll always be a wonder to me.

    Life is full of " wonders " large and small but nothing compares to little wonders. Well, o.k. BIG wonders are right up there too!

    Thanks Libbie for another great post! Your wonders are adorable!
    Deb

  7. Megan says:

    I am so thankful for my four beautiful boys too!! Thank you for sharing and reminding us to be thankful!

  8. Hi Libbie,
    Another great post … both ‘gratitude’ and ‘kindness’ are my focus words (and maybe ‘acceptance’ too) and I try to be mindful of them every day. Loved to see and read about your blessings … many thanks. Was in a little shop yesterday and saw a coffee mug with these words: "Peace — it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart." I love that, and when I am in that sort of place, I find it is easy to have gratitude for ‘most everything! Thanks again …

  9. Barb says:

    As I read the most recent issue of MaryJanesFarm …. I was reminded about a Gratitude Journal that I faithfully wrote in for years. What would I write today? I am grateful for the sweet flavor of pears, beautiful ripe tomatoes and the crisp fall mornings. As usual I loved your post! Debbie writes (in blog) about “serendipity” ……… It was total serendipity this summer when I found myself in your driveway and you so very graciously introduced me to “some of the wonders” of your world! You do indeed have a delightful family, lovely neighbors and a home with such warmth. When I read your post it puts a smile in my heart. I am grateful for people like you and serendipity!

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ENOUGH!!!

[Previous Rural Farmgirl, June 2010 – January 2012]

Have you ever gotten to a point in life where all you want to do is to clean out the house with a firehose, spray the whole farm with weed killer, go on a lemon-water diet for a month and then start over??? Well, I think I’ve hit one of those times where I need to do a little cleaning out. Not in quite such a radical way, but it really feels like there is too much “stuff” in my life — not too many people, or too many things to do, but just plain too much STUFF that is taking time, energy and attention from things that I really, truly WANT and love to do.
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  1. Colleen says:

    I so agree with September being the ‘new year’! It has always felt that way to me with the season change (darker earlier, crisp temperatures), clothing change (putting away the tank tops, sandals & pulling out sweaters & boots) and putting the outside to ‘rest’ (pulling out the annuals, dead garden things, turning over the soil).
    One of my favorite things to say to myself when I’m paring down (house hold items to clothing to my favorite books) is "Does this make my life better?" — I find it’s much easier to let things go when they don’t make my life ‘better’ in a way I can appreciate!

  2. Catherine says:

    I’ve had some of those "enough" thoughts lately as well.
    September is a month of new beginnings at my home, too and I am working on clearing out,cleaning up and simplifying things. I focused on the most needful area this afternoon- my desk, which is the depository for everything that someone doesn’t know what to do with! No more, I have declared it an OFF LIMITS area to everyone as of now LOL!
    I’m also taking inventory of my activies and other pursuits and weeding out those things that no longer bring me joy.
    The fall garden has been planted, and I look forward to tending new growth in a few weeks.

    I love your Nanny’s motto, that’s a great one!

    Blessings,
    Catherine 🙂

  3. I am right there with you (actually blogged about it recently), maybe it is this time of year for us farm girls that makes us evaluate the past year.

    My main problem is trying to do too much outside of the home (county fair board, homeschool activities, and on and on) and not saying NO when asked to help out with something. I am going to be more diligent on choosing only those things that bring joy and enhance our family life.

    Yearning for beauty, stability, and love also,
    Stephanie
    The Park wife

  4. Debbie says:

    Dear Libbie,

    DITTO!!!!. Yes! Let’s declare September farmgirl month of the year! I’m with ya on this one… September is my absolute favorite time of year…I have the energy of 20 farmgirls 10 years younger than I am…and yet, I find myself doing what you’re doing… daydreaming my days away and clearing clutter…If I only had a nickle for every item that came and went through my kitchen door… in and out! I’m getting ready for my 10th year of homeschooling and that means getting organized…I’m learning to enlist more help from my beloved and the kids along these lines… It makes for a much smoother entry into fall!

    Keep up the good work and great writing…’I loved this post!
    September farmgirl # 2 … you’re number one!
    Happy September
    Deb~
    ps. I don’t think I’ll ever not be a day dreamer,( I love it too much) but as each year passes I’m getting a bit more choosy about what I daydream about!

  5. donna says:

    Ditto too…September is the beginning of a new and Marvelous-Darling Year, always re-evaluating and re-inventing who, where and why’s in my life. So awesome seeing that so many of us Lady’s are doin the same…Garage-Sale time in Sunny Florida! Have a Sweet Sweet re-discovering…

  6. Dee Cox says:

    What a great article. Coming from a family of farmers, living in a small rural area surrounded by centenial farms brings back so many memories of my plans in life. Live your dreams when you are dreaming, complete your goals, cherish your family. Fall is my favorite season to share and make plans….what’s next? I’m on the road and sometimes missing my roots..

  7. Bama Suzy says:

    Wow! You’ve certainly got me motivated…especially with your grandmother’s saying! On my farm this fall the BIGGIE is that I am expanding my farm store from the little room off my carport to a bigger outbuilding at the other end of my house. PATIENCE is NOT one of my virtues and it’s hard for me to not want it done ALL AT ONCE but son and son-in-law have begun the clean out, next will come the electrical wiring, insulation in walls (which I can do), installing paneling and building the little front porch (which I can help with!)….to make a REAL little country store….when we’re not actually working on the remodel I am busy making all sorts of jelly to sell in the current store and the new-old store, more goat milk soap, and all sorts of aprons, vests, and baby quilts….some with Christmas themes…but my main goal today is to finish writing an article that is near deadline AND finish patchig a weak place in the goat’s fence! I DO NOT have your sense of organization! Hope your sweet cow is doing fine!!!!!

  8. carol branum says:

    hi,I too,am totally overwhelmed,there is just too much to do,and I do not have enough space,I thew a bunch of vegtables out in some tall weeds to hide them.lol,have a great day!carol

  9. kay says:

    One thing I did was start using things, what am I saving them for. For instance, I have my mothers linen napkins that
    I use now and wash and hang out in the sunshine to dry and
    think of her….plus it saves a tree.

  10. Keleen says:

    Converting to a more simple life is definitely not easy, and it may take some time to learn the process! Lately I’ve been asking how I let myself get so entangled in the "clutches of culture". I’m finding that the less cluttered my physical life is, the more my brain is at peace. Don’t stop daydreaming, though! Just keep a journal of those great ideas, and write down the steps it would take to accomplish them. You may find that you have the time to pursue them after all!

  11. Karen says:

    Love your nanny’s quote, totally going to use that one! Fabulous "kick you in the butt, in a loving way" wisdom.

  12. Denise says:

    September is a great time to take stock of our goals.Simplifying is not an easy thing.Letting go of excesses when we have been trained to believe more is better comes with much hesitation.The fear of needing something you give away or discard is real.I have a shelf in my closet where I put things that I feel I will need and haven’t used in recent memory.If used it gets to leave the shelf.If it is still there in Sept/Oct it is given away or filled with baked goods and handed out at Christmas.It’s a time when the heart gives willingly with no regrets.

  13. Sharon Roberts says:

    Libby–you sure said it right! There are many times I want to get a firehose and flush it all out!! I work fulltime and my house-husband, the professional mess-maker, gardner, poultry farmer, cook, canner, can’t find time to put anything away when he is done with it. I can’t really complain, since he does so much already, but I don’t want to clean it up!! He/We have put up lots of jars of home-grown produce this year and I am ready to snuggle into my chair with a stitching project and let winter come.

  14. Nancy J says:

    For me, I think this theme comes with age…I am a Wife, a Mom, a Nana, a sister, a daughter & a friend(not always in that order). Yes, I like my home to be clean & comfortable, but I enjoy my family & friends more…I would rather sit on the floor playing dolls with my grand-daughters, or sitting at the kitchen table sharing a meal with my husband,adult children & grandchildren, or relaxing with my sister telling family news…their is a saying I have seen around lately, "The most important things in life, aren’t things". Hope everyone has a fun Harvest time!!!

  15. Connie H. says:

    I agree…next to Spring, my favorite time of year is Fall. Both seasons, I go through the house and weed out non-ecentials. My Mom, (I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s) used to do vigorous housecleaning both Spring and Fall. I loved helping her and the satisfaction that we had when all was clean, bright, and comfy. Loved the way the house smelled of fresh air and sunshine. I still throw the windows open as much as possible….even on sunny winter days (here in IL.) and hang the quilts and duvet’s out on the line for freshening. I have 10 grandchildren and we spend a LOT of time leaf and flower gathering, garden planting and weeding, watching birds, watching all sorts of bugs, gathering little rocks, baking and just having fun. Don’t need clutter gobbing things up. The older I get, the easier it is for me to throw away "stuff". My hubby, on the other hand…well, that’s another story…Ha! We love country living and the country life. Fresh wholesome food and everything as free from chemicals as we can get. My life is just about perfect and the good Lord has been gracious to me. I am going to go enjoy my front porch and count my blessings! Have a WONDERFUL Fall!

  16. Laurie says:

    Oh my! I could have written some of this. I thought I was the only one with the motivation issue. I have so many ideas, and then trying to implement them… well, I lack that part. Sometimes I think there is too much to do and blame that on my indecision. Sometimes, I just can’t get my body moving, at least not until late at night when it’s time to go to bed and then the ideas flood of things I want to do.

    I laughed at your "I should be able to do it all" comment. That is so me. I’m horrible at asking for help. Why are we like that? My boyfriend ha no issues and I just stuttered through trying to get it all done.

    Great blog and thanks for sharing.

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