| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Jan 24 2011 : 08:11:56 AM
I am having trouble squeezing in merit badge work with taking care of my family and home. Between finances, because many badges require building, making or baking,and cost money to buy supplies for, and my own family responsibilities, I am going crazy. I may have to quit my chapter if no one else joins. I'm not getting responses to the first meet up either. I fact, I am the only one going. I have another blanket to crochet for a hope chest, and running out of time as the kids approach graduation. Does anyone else have trouble finding time? My regular chores take most of the day. Just overwhelmed. I don't have the money for quilting or knitting lessons, and I do not know anyone around here who does these.
Farmgirl #800
http://momzonetakingtimeformom.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
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| 21 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| cranberryrose55 |
Posted - Feb 26 2011 : 9:54:55 PM
You are all so inspiring, learning these incredible skills.
For the gardening badges, if a person doesn't know how to vegetable garden, the book Lasagna Gardening is very helpful.
Or this site explains how to Lasagne garden:
http://organicgardening.about.com/od/startinganorganicgarden/a/lasagnagarden.htm
Have hope in your heart, and darkness has no home. |
| grammytammy |
Posted - Feb 26 2011 : 2:07:21 PM
Perhaps you could find some of the badges that you could do as a family activity.
FarmGirl 2495
God loved us so much He gave His only son to die in our stead. |
| batznthebelfry |
Posted - Feb 26 2011 : 12:33:01 PM
I know with me some of the badges will never get accomplished as they are beyond my means or ability...like cutting firewood....lol...I would love to be able to do that but my bad back says Oh no you don't!! but I like all of you do it for the feeling of self accomplishment & not a job that will cause more stress in my life. It is fun to dream about some of the things though....if I was younger I could do them but now its still nice to see them up there & know that some of our hens can do them. I do think some of them need to be implimented...like milking a cow....No cows here but my neighbor is getting goats again & I have milked her goats & will again when they are ready....or how about milking a Ewe...done that as well. Another thing is how many of us have built fencing for our animals? for me its an endless job of sorts. OK I know I have jumped the fence so to speak & need to go write this on merit badge ideas...lol...Anyway what I am saying is don't give up on the badges they are not a requirement for being a farmgirl/hen....they are just a gift of sorts for our accomplishments.....Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
| Tammyb |
Posted - Feb 26 2011 : 08:20:46 AM
Kristina, Life has a way of getting in between me and my plans :) but I have found your chapter and want to join you so that makes 2! I have been a member of MJF for a few years now and started out gaining badges but that life thing happened. I have over a dozen started and my goal is to get them finished and turned in but I am taking them one at a time. Breathe deep and keep moving forward.
Tammyb
sisterchick #541
Live to leave a legacy
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| prayin granny |
Posted - Jan 27 2011 : 05:32:56 AM
Ladies, agree!!! Life very much has a way of getting in the way doesn't it, LOL!! But, honestly, as has been said....the farmgirl spirit was never meant to be stress and competition. Actually, I think quite the opposite. Let's all just do the very best that we can and go from there! Do what we can, when we can. It is such a gret forum!! Lets all relax and enjoy!!
Hope everyone has a good day!!
Blessings, Linda
http://www.scatteredlittleblessings.blogspot.com
Country at Heart |
| vmfein |
Posted - Jan 26 2011 : 7:03:58 PM
I wish I lived near you to be able to go to a chapter. There isn't one too close near me at least where I could drive. Does the local library near you have books on quilting or knitting? If not you can always find some good videos on youtube to show you how if you want to know. |
| pnickols |
Posted - Jan 26 2011 : 6:46:44 PM
I think everyone has stuff to do, I have sewing, embroidery, scrapbooking plus the merit badge stuff I'll get to it eventually but stressing about it takes the enjoyment out of it for me. Life is stressful this other stuff in my relaxation. I finally put my merit badges on my jacket ! yeah ! |
| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Jan 26 2011 : 05:44:20 AM
Kevin,
I sent you an e-mail too. I am missing a certificate I am pretty sure I applied for also.
Farmgirl #800
http://momzonetakingtimeformom.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
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| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Jan 26 2011 : 04:47:45 AM
I have not even embroidered my badges yet (gulp), but I have printed off my certificates, placed them in plastic page covers, and put them in 3-ring binders. My 8th grade daughter was looking through them yesterday, and said "Wow Mom, you have this many?!" so it made be feel much better. 
Farmgirl #800
http://momzonetakingtimeformom.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
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| Kevin |
Posted - Jan 25 2011 : 09:42:36 AM
Hi Angie,
I went through the badge submissions going a year back but couldn't find a submission from you. Our system isn't perfect and sometimes they don't come through, we did however make some modifications to the upload page that makes it much more user friendly. Please if you have any questions or need help you can email me at: (kevinquinn@maryjanesfarm.org).
-Kevin
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
-Robert A. Heinlein |
| mtngirljon |
Posted - Jan 25 2011 : 09:29:22 AM
Way to go, Kristina. That's very encouraging . . .
Jonnie
Farmgirl #648
"Turn your face to the sun, and the shadows will fall behind you" - Maori Proverb
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| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Jan 25 2011 : 09:24:29 AM
Thanks again to all of you. I have a stack of old jeans that needs to be created into something homemade or it will forever sit on my sewing machine that is already collecting more dust. I have a pile of printed patterns, recipes and craft ideas that are finally making their way into a recycled kids binder from school (for a homespun Christmas). I have a pile of scrap material that was intended for quilting lessons, and needs to be dealt with soon, and all the while, I am trying to post new craft/art/household projects on my SCRAP blog. It's never ending, not including the chicken coop that is still screaming "CLEAN ME" 
I did find a way to earn a badge through all of this. After my first meet-up with our chapter, I am having a reusable shopping bag swap with whoever meets with me. Woo Hoo to that! I even gave myself 2 months to get it done.
Farmgirl #800
http://momzonetakingtimeformom.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
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| mtngirljon |
Posted - Jan 25 2011 : 08:04:02 AM
Thanks for posting this, Kristina. You are certainly not the only one feeling this way. I work all day at a job and am involved in a couple of other things that I enjoy and don't have a lot of time for other stuff. I have several that I have earned that I haven't submitted for. If I don't soon, I'll forget what they are LOL!!! Be easy on yourself . . .
Jonnie
Farmgirl #648
"Turn your face to the sun, and the shadows will fall behind you" - Maori Proverb
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| ceejay48 |
Posted - Jan 25 2011 : 06:44:16 AM
AMEN and AMEN!!!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665
From my Heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
From my Hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
From my Hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| Montrose Girl |
Posted - Jan 25 2011 : 06:34:11 AM
Kristina,
take a breath. There is no rush as others have said. It is exciting earning badges and for goal oriented people like me (not journey) it is great. I have to remember to slow down and enjoy. SO here is a thought. When you take your kids to these activities do you stay or go home? If you stay, take your crochet with you. I worked on a counting fish basket at the horticulture convention last week. Since you are mostly listening it was a great time to get some fish done and now I am almost done with it.
50! That's amazing. Be proud of that.
Angie - Email Kevin. He is really great about follow-up on badges. Sometimes the system does mess up, but he will take a look and let you know. Don't give up because everyone at the farm has been great to work with. Trust me. I've goofed on a few applications and Kevin was great.
Laurie
http://www.inntheorchardbnb.com/ |
| amomfly |
Posted - Jan 25 2011 : 01:50:45 AM
I submitted for a badge, never heard anything, lost hope and time, and just gave it up. I enjoy the chats and love the learning, but merit badges are just not to be.
So nobody should feel bad.
God Bless
Angie-amomfly
#1038 |
| msdoolittle |
Posted - Jan 24 2011 : 6:32:15 PM
Lol, I've been a member for almost a year and still haven't submitted for a badge! I swear I plan on doing so this week. I don't think they were ever intended to cause you any grief ;0)
Wish you were closer to me! We have a lovely group here.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Jan 24 2011 : 11:55:17 AM
Thanks for the encouragement Kevin. I will check out those badges. I have already lost 5 1/2 pounds, and my husband has lost some weight also.
Farmgirl #800
http://momzonetakingtimeformom.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
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| Kevin |
Posted - Jan 24 2011 : 10:14:01 AM
Hi Kristina,
I just want to say you're doing a great job, you've already completed over 50 badges in less than a year, that's quite an accomplishment. Don't let yourself get discouraged but also feel free to take all the time you need, I look forward to seeing your badge applications again when you're ready. Also that's great you're hitting the gym, you might want to check out the new Let's Get Physical badge. Happy Monday!
-Kevin
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
-Robert A. Heinlein |
| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Jan 24 2011 : 09:13:50 AM
Oh good! I'm not the only one. I cook homemade for my family and that takes more time out of my day also. Plus, I have one dd taking driver's ed every night, one in jazz band (costs me nothing), and so forth. And now we go to the gym, which we really should have been doing years ago.
I have a huggggeee stack of library books, many of which are craft and crochet books I need to read through. I still need to finish a library book about pioneer women and then there is my Bible reading. I do need to install 2 curtain rods, but lack the $$ to go buy them, as well as construct the goat pens etc.
ugh....I think I need a hot cup of tea now 
Farmgirl #800
http://momzonetakingtimeformom.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
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| buffypuff |
Posted - Jan 24 2011 : 08:48:05 AM
I hear you Kristina. I have worked for so many years, that I am way behind in starting badges. I think that for me, I will do what I can do...in a slower pace, with thought, and if I can not afford, do not have time, or don't know how to do....well..they may have to wait for awhile..maybe a long while or maybe never. I can't think that MaryJane ever meant for anyone to strive to frenzy point to obtain a badge. I have loved her philosophy to get back to basics..to find yourself..slow down to enjoy the life we have been given. So...maybe you can take the snail's pace with me...and together with a bunch (I bet) we will achieve goodness in our lives together...and maybe a few badges too. ;0)
Buffypuff/ Claudia
Farmgirl & Sister #870
"Half of success is the assurance of support along the way." cr
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