Ok… I'm better now
Three years ago Geoff and I had a dream that was fun to talk about, but seemed impossible to achieve. We wanted a simpler life, we wanted him home, and we wanted to live on a farm. His 17 hour days were draining for all of us. Yes, it’s been a lot of work – but it’s work that we’ve all been able to do as a family. All eight of us bumbling around and being able to feel triumphant when we stumbled in to something good: green beans, a lone solitary squash, an over abundance of tomatoes, getting ducks – who knew they would solve our mucky pond scum problem? Buying chickens, losing chickens, painting bedrooms (our bedrooms, we are no longer renters!), building fences, being zapped by electric fences, figuring out you can rig up a wire to the electric fence and jam it into the ground and worms would come squiggling out of the earth, rowing a boat, building shelves, making applesauce and apple jelly and apple pies from fruit we pulled off our own tree, grinding wheat, dehydrating and freezing stuff, chopping our own wood…. We’ve learned more and done more things over the last year and a half as a family, than all the years before we came here (put together!). Yes, last week was hard. After the little goat was killed (and Belle was mauled) the following day our awful dogs got untied and forced their way back into the pen again and killed two more goats. I’m embarrassed to even admit it. Me and Geoff were gone at the time, we were on a date. Coie and BoBo heard a commotion and ran out (it was late at night) and together handled the dogs, found wire to secure them and saved the chickens. It reminded me of a chapter in Little House on the Prairie. My kids are learning how to survive on a farm and are rising to the challenge of the hard work it takes. Coie has also been tending to Belle, giving her shots twice a day and mucking out the area in our basement where we set up a makeshift animal hospital. We have two goats left out of the five we bought last week. This morning I work up grateful. SO grateful Yes, farm life is surprising and new to us. We feel like morons for not cluing in to things that should be obvious. But we are doing this together. There are ups and downs, for sure… at least we can share the ups and downs together. I am extraordinarily thankful for that. You guys are *so* kind and encouraging. Thank you very much for your prayers and all the encouraging comments you left. I shared some of them with Geoff, and he was thankful, too. I am so thankful for my friends here. Lastly, I haven’t forgotten about the candy/sewer contest… and coie has been making candy like a crazy woman. We’ll announce those winners soon. AND, I think I’m going to post another child – training entry. I got an interesting letter from a lady wondering how I trained my six month olds to cry quietly. On a side note, apparently there are some anti-spanking, abusive, extremists who read my web pg. I will not be put off by their tactics, nor will I allow them leave anymore of their nasty comments (I’ll delete them soon as I see them) – especially since they lied, putting up false fronts and pretending to ask genuine questions publicly and then turning around and spewing furious rants. So, anyhow, I’ll try to post the question and answer sometime tomorrow. This blog is not meant to be an open forum for debate. It’s just a generic web pg where I’m able to stay connected to my friends, and a place to make new friends and for general friendly discussion. I don’t have the time or the will to go back and forth with angry people who have an agenda. I mean that in a nice way. If you hate my blog and hate my entries and think I’m an idiot, please save yourself the stress and visit blogs like the Daily Kos. Bottom line, I’m going to continue to post about what I feel like posting and will not get dragged into fruitless online battles. After all, I’m a busy girl who gots a farm that needa a tendin’ to.
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December 18th, 2006 - Posted in Uncategorized | | 0 Comments No Responses to ' Ok… I'm better now 'Leave a reply |
on December 18th, 2006 at 9:55 am
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Good for you! I'm so sorry about the goats. As a girl who grew up on a farm I know how hard those things can be. I'm happy though, for you and your family and the life God has given you together. I'll look forward to your next post.
Blessings,
Rebeca
on December 18th, 2006 at 10:02 am
I confess…
I did wonder about the crying quietly thing. For the most part, my crew isn't too bad. Church and other outings go pretty well. But, not one of them knows how to cry quietly. Well, I take that back, the oldest ones can do that now I guess.
I'm glad this week looks better for you all.
on December 18th, 2006 at 12:14 pm
Oh Jen You are precious!
I am again sorry about your goats. How awful. I didn't comment on the last post, but I must add to your comment about your children learning that I very much enjoyed Jay's 'food chain' remark. As much as I was in tears for y'all – I burst out laughing!!
It is wonderful when God brings us back to where we belong in our lives and His plan for our family is the focus. We finally realize the trade-offs we had been living! Praise God for His patience and diligence through our failings!
I read a few years back (don't remember what book) about letting children wail and carry on when they cry and how unnecessary and "fleshly", I guess, for lack of a better term, it is. My children never wailed, but I did just start telling them to close their lips together and cry qietly. They showed me that they had control over it and did it. I then had to let them know when they had 'cried enough', sometimes. Of course, as parents, it does take discernment, not a nominal "cry quietly" or "stop now". Sometimes their pain is really deeper, and I am sensitive to that, too.
AND – kudos for stepping up and just telling it as it is when it comes to people who just have a need to tell you off on your blog (or in emails). I don't expect to be agreed with all the time – and, believe me, I'm NOT! – but, if you have an agenda, go where they want to hear it. We have too many other important things we love to live than answering such comments!
I do take time for friends in blogworld, though, as I am also so grateful for God's blessings in having friends here!
Many Blessings and health to you and all that is yours, my dear friend –
Jacque
on December 18th, 2006 at 2:24 pm
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I'm not so sure I like the sound of sewer candy. Sounds unsanitary. Not a tasty treat.
on December 18th, 2006 at 2:58 pm
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And I'm thankful for you too, Mrs. Igarashi!
It just wouldn't be as fun around here without the present of your presence.
Love,
Marshie
PS Angry people with agendas make me tired. And upset. Ask my kids, you don't want to be around me when I'm tired and upset…I'm like the incredible hulk or something…'cept with more clothes on. 🙂
on December 18th, 2006 at 5:42 pm
Oh Jen…
That is such a bummer that you lost 2 other goats too. How discouraging. But you are right to focus on all that you all are learning and experiencing together. So many people just dream of having those types of opportunities.
Oh and since tax time is just around the corner, I thought I'd let you know that you can probably claim your dead goats as a farm loss. If you had ever planned on selling anything from them, they are considered farm investments and losing them will give you some deductions.
You might be surprised by how much you all can deduct even when your *farm* isn't really producing yet. Ask some of your local farm friends who they use to do their taxes if you can. We usually do our own taxes, but we started using a CPA who does most of the farms around here because he is so great about knowing what can be deducted that I never would have known.
on December 18th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
Good for you!
Don't be discouraged by the angry ( usually anonymous) commenters. They are spoil-sports. There are plenty of us out here in the 'blogosphere' who LOVE your opinions, your writing style, your wit, and your blog!
I'm so sorry about the goats. Reasure your little ones that someday the lion and the lamb ( or in this case the dogs and the goats) will lie down together once again.
Oh…and PLEASE teach me how to get my kids to cry quietly!!!! I would be forever grateful! 🙂
Michelle W.
on December 18th, 2006 at 10:52 pm
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Hey, Mrs. IG….Please, stop by soon and see the goat film! I wanna come! to TN.!!
Love, Ms.Jocelyn
Ps. unfortunately with all this stuff changing on HSB, I can't link my latest post! Sorry.. stop by soon anyways!!
on December 19th, 2006 at 7:27 am
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Dear Jen, I just now read the last few entries. I'm so sorry about your difficulties. I remember my mom telling us about running a farm being very hard emotionally sometimes – she grew up on a farm in NJ in the 40's and 50's – mostly dairy cows, but they did have chickens and a few other things. Be reminded that God's eye is on the sparrow, and your animals too. Praying for your family – Karen
on December 19th, 2006 at 1:49 pm
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Oh my goodness, so sorry to hear about the dogs and goats. I'm sure that was an awful experience. Hope everything calms down.
on December 19th, 2006 at 4:17 pm
New Life
I am very happy for you all in your new life. It has had its happy moments and its sad moments, hasn't it? We still miss you very much, and always will. Life will not be quite the same here without you. However, we wish you much joy and happiness in your farm life–and we are so glad that God has given you such a powerful dream come true.
Love you,
Kate
on December 19th, 2006 at 8:17 pm
Farm girl
Jen, you sure are growing into a G.R.I.T.S. We are proud of Geoff and you! Your family and you have been a blessing to us this past year. The Lord is teaching you all a lot each day on the farm. Our prayers are with you. Henry
on December 21st, 2006 at 9:29 pm
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I would definitely not be disagreeing with your child-raising style when you have evidence of mature, well-trained, responsible, competent, candy-making children! 🙂
on December 22nd, 2006 at 1:38 pm
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Just a word of tender advice. You NEED to get rid of those dogs! Dogs that are like that do not belong on a farm. They are not what you would consider "farm dogs" and really, to be honest, dogs that kill like that are really not good for anyone to have around. But definitely NOT on a farm.
on December 22nd, 2006 at 1:48 pm
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dear anon. we already did get rid of them. thanks
on January 1st, 2007 at 7:28 pm
Oh Jen….
I am so sorry…..how very awful…..
Our 'farm life' is taking a toll here too… we lost ALL our chickens except the 1 rooster.
They were dead 2-3 at a time no blood, just right under their perches….we have no idea…they were healthy…we watched them and spent time with them daily..we came home from visiting family and the last 3 were dead….very sad day….
But reading your post and recalling everything we have learned and done TOGETHER as a family has made a very special year….(we started this adventure very near the same time…) and I wouldn't trade it…..but with it comes sadness….just ask Wilber (Charlotte's web).
I hope and pray Coie's goat fully recovers…