| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Tammy Claxton |
Posted - Aug 10 2007 : 11:05:59 AM
I would love some hints and tips on being a Farmgirl in an area that has no "farmgirl" attitude!! I love simple things and making my own stuff, but there has to be more that I can do! Any ideas would be great! I live in MD (close to the Chesapeak Bay and Baltimore City--ughh). Farm life is miles and miles away from me! I feel like I am misplaced here! lol.... |
| 17 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Alee |
Posted - Oct 04 2007 : 7:18:43 PM
Welcome to the forums Dana!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora!
http://home.test-afl.tulix.com/aleeandnora/ |
| Dana |
Posted - Oct 04 2007 : 6:52:42 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Jeanna
As I told my husband the other day I do not have any friends because I don't want to waste my time shopping and talking about shopping. I enjoy going to antique shops, thrift stores, and yard sales.
I wish I lived closer to you Jeanna.....I'd love to have a buddy to go to the antique shops, yard sales and thrift stores with. Ever since my mom passed away, I've had to do these things alone....although, my 16 year old daughter is starting to show signs that she has inherited the love of shopping this way too. I can only hope. |
| Tammy Claxton |
Posted - Sep 13 2007 : 12:56:02 PM
It seems we are going through the came thing Jeanna. I do not like mall shopping or anything, but I love thrift stores, yeard sales, an antique stores! We would be great friends if we were neighbors!
What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger!
http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/ |
| Jeanna |
Posted - Sep 13 2007 : 12:29:33 PM
Well I live in the country. The appalachians to be exact. My problem is because everyone wants to kill the myth of the backwoods hillbillies most people don't even want to acknowledge the country way of life. I am considered very weird to most people around these parts. As I told my husband the other day I do not have any friends because I don't want to waste my time shopping and talking about shopping. I enjoy going to antique shops, thrift stores, and yard sales. I was complimented on a dress I was wearing to church and asked where I got it from and when I replied that I had gotten it a trift store for $5 the person looked embarassed and quickly change the subject. I would love to find a like minded friend around here. I think the only advice I can give is don't change, just enjoy your life.
Jeanna
If both of our troubles were hung on a line--You would take yours and I would take mine. |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Sep 11 2007 : 10:20:59 PM
Tammy ... i lived in PASADENA .. next town over from you (and annapolis) for about 25 years!! .. jus' a few miles down the road from Glen Burnie .. and i promise you there are some very down to earth women who love to craft in your area .. there is a group of women right in glen burnie who meet every friday evening at Toni Svoboda's home (they call themselves the 'stitch and [bleep]' ... but they are GREAT girls with a wonderful sense of humor. Look in the phone book for Cyndi Rowe .. she lives in Severna Park ..and she is a HOOT!!!! You will LOVE her and she can introduce you to lots of great friends. Mary Glossner lives nearby .. so does Donna Schramek .. and Deb Nees .. and ohhhh .. the list goes on and on and on. now these women are not 'farmgirls' .. but they are grande friends. they were all part of our wonderful Crooked Tree Hollow Doll Club right there in pasadena (we always met at toni's house in pasadena!!! and we met for ten years. when i left .. the girls kept right on meeting .. only the emphasis is on all kinds of wonderful crafts .. not 'just' dolls .. but there are some great dollmakers among them.
IF you truly want to meet this great group of women .. e-mail me and i will put you in touch with them. i promise .. you will no longer feel lonely (oh ..and about half of them don't work! most of their kids are grown .. but i swear .. they are younger than most 25 year olds!) and you will not find a more talented woman with a FABULOUSLY decorated home (very comfy) than Cyndi! xo, frannie
p.s. these girls LOVE to go antiquing and craft shopping and junkin' and all kinds of adventures!
True Friends, Frannie
FREEDOM VALLEY FARM
KENTUCKY
http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com/
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| Tammy Claxton |
Posted - Sep 11 2007 : 11:59:50 AM
I really appreciate all the words of wisdom my farmgirl friends have given me. I have started to do my own thing a little more and I do feel better. The only problem I have is that there are not alot of SAHM here, most have full time jobs. My kids have no one there age to play with except in school. I wish I could find a town that is more closely knit than here. Everyone here is in a hurry, racing back and forth. I just want a slower pace of life, I guess. I'm not complaining, though. I have a wonderful family, a roof over my head, and food in my house. I am very fortunate and lucky. I guess I am just needing some down home friends who share how I feel about crafting, family, and trying to be "country in the burbs". My husband did agree that we should look into moving in the next couple of years. Hopefully I can find a place that really feels like home to me. That's something I can look forward to.
Also, I love going on rides to Frederick, Hagerstown (MonsterJam!), Wv, VA, and PA! Maryl;and is not a terrible place to live - I just live in a community where the people are so "stuffy". No relaxing going on here. Anyway, Thank you all so much for your advice and words of encouragement. I even started a blog of my own - it helps me write about things going on and I am going to post some of my crafts on there too. It makes me feel better as well!!
What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger!
http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/ |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Sep 10 2007 : 07:01:20 AM
hey gurlfren .. i hope this encouragement will help you feel more 'farm-friendly' in your area: i lived in the 'annapolis' area for lotsa years. there are some wonderfully friendly gurlz there .. i found that they had incredibly varying backgrounds and experiences, lifestyles and loves. i honestly don't see much difference in them and in the women i have met in farm country here in kentucky. (i found education and sophistication among both groups .. i had friends who LOVED the earth and gardening and animals (albeit .. no one near me had farm animals .. but then .. the few neighbors we have in our little farm valley don't either). (we have a new neighbor who has two horses .. but then .. in Maryland .. jus' 1/2 mile down the road from us was a 'horse stable'). OVERALL .. with this smaller popoulation here .. i would say that 'people in the south' tend to be more trusting and friendly .. but there are lots of trusting and friendly people in your neck of the woods too. i think the thing that i find the 'most alike' between our two areas .. are the WOMEN .. in both areas i find those who LOVE to stitch and sew and create things .. those who adore children and family and create loving experiences with them .. those who love to read .. and animal lovers .. many who come from farm-life backgrounds .. sooo .. truly do understand farm-life. i find happy and unhappy women in both places. and erica is so right .. within driving distance .. there are mountains, big sky, farms, county-fairs, rivers, streams .. AND .. you have the added wonderfulness of a huge OCEAN to visit within a few hours and two very exciting cities .. Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
i do understand your desire to be LIVING the true FARM girl life .. and someday that dream may come true .. but i wouldn't trade my experiences of 'city' life for anything in the world. and i am thankful that now i also have the opportunity to be more 'country-fied' for a few chapters in my book of life.
libbie is right .. if you love wearing your apron 'out of the kitchen' .. jus' do it .. be comfy in it .. be yourself. i, personally, don't ever see women in this farm-country wearing their aprons out in public .. but what a great idea .. i'm sure some wear them at home and some don't .. i grew up in a generation of apron-wearing mommas (in Washington, D.C.) .. but jus' don't see it as prevelant (anywhere) today as in the past. karen has discovered that in city or town .. when we wear our aprons and smiles .. people relate .. i think it touches a nostalgic chord .. warm memories brought to mind .. and they smile.
kary, too, has found that 'farmgirl is a matter of the heart' .. wherever we reside. julie has discovered the same secret that i discovered ... sometimes it takes ME to 'start sumpthin' .. you WILL be surprized at how many like-minded people you will attract. NOT everyone will 'get it' .. but then .. that is true no matter where you live. and that is a 'good thang' .. cuz' VARIETY ... CHOICES ... is one of the great things about our country. good advice: BE YOURSELF .. and i would add .. don't worry what you 'think' people might be 'thinking'. as long as people are not mean and cruel .. i never, ever judge what i 'think' their opinions or beliefs might be. (we are sooooooooooo often incorrect if we attempt to read the minds of others). AND i've discovered personally, that is probably jus' coming from WITHIN me anyway! Kim and Michelle give some great all-around advice ... do what you love .. you might be surprized to find others who love the same thing.
I'm sure there are lots of 'city girls' who are right here on MaryJane's Connection .. and CONNECTION is truly what it is all about.
All this said .. please know that i appreciate the feelings you are having ... and your desire to live a simpler lifestyle .. i hope all these wonderful women from all walks of life have uplifted your farmgirl soul.
i do believe that city women and country women .. mountain women and seaside women all have the same 'heart'. i have loved living in each of those areas and learning the 'ways' of each .. they have all been strong threads woven in the tapestry of my life. I discovered in the north, just as i have in the south .. that if i seek .. i surely will find .. and if you are indeed, near Baltimore (and what fun that city can be to visit) .. and near beautiful Annapolis .. i have some grande gurlfrenz there that i can put you in touch with that appreciate everything a woman is and desires. without sounding toooooo 'philosophical' ... honey-doo .. i believe there is a reason you are where you are .. there is a plan .. and we are to 'get' whatever that area has to offer while we are there .. and if you love country and farm living .. that too, will most likely be part of your 'plan'.
i love that olde song. "if you can't be with the one you love .. love the one you're with" ... and this probably applies to PLACES a lot more than it does to PEOPLE.
True Friends, Frannie
FREEDOM VALLEY FARM
KENTUCKY
http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com/
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| AFMom |
Posted - Sep 10 2007 : 03:19:25 AM
Hi Tammy,
I know exactly how you feel. Before I moved to my current residence I lived in the Washington DC/Metro Area and didn't feel like I fit in...I grew up in Pa. and have lived all over the world...but few places really fit my mood. To overcome my lack of country settings and feelings in those areas, I would always try to cook in a fashion that was true to my heritage...healthy meals derived from fresh fruits and vegies and good meat and bake alot of goodies. Also, I will decorate my house to fit my country heritage with baskets, candles, dried flowers, country prints framed and hung on a wall, use quilts on my beds and as throws...I always have flowers outside no matter where I live and have even tried to grow tomatoes in containers....the squirrels were so greedy though:) I would also have birdfeeders hanging to attract the local birds from that area...and in the process got squirrels and bunnies visting my yard. Another important thing we do is try to get away to the mountains or to a nature preserve/park to enjoy the view of nature as much as possible. If you have a car, check out Fredrick, MD. It was an hour north of us in Va. and so pretty with the mountains and farms. They have a Fair too, but I am not sure when that is. You can also head west to Skyline Drive and spend a day just driving the Skyline and in the fall it is beautiful....there are things to do in the area, it just requires a bit of driving, but think of it as a Sunday drive, don't make it an expensive trip and see how you feel just getting away for awhile. Our trips to those places were just for the day and so very pleasant with no strict schedule. Hope this helps..Erica:) |
| Libbie |
Posted - Sep 09 2007 : 10:20:37 AM
There sure is something great that happens when you wear your apron out and about, isn't there? Like Karen, I've noticed that people are much more "smiley" and friendly to me - and I just feel a little more like doling out the farmgirl charm myself! I live in a really rural area - almost the direct opposite of San Diego! - and loads of older farmgals come up to me and lament how the apron's a lost article, and how they always wore one... It's a great way to make new friends!!! :)
XOXO, Libbie
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| mikesgirl |
Posted - Aug 23 2007 : 09:26:25 AM
I know how this goes. Both the places I live, Montana and Washington, are very farmgirl friendly - rural and laid back. But, I travel with DH when he goes out of state to work and boy do I NOT fit in in the big city!! Places we lived last year for extended periods of time included San Francisco, San Diego, and Las Vegas. I enjoyed visiting these places, but I dress differently, I move slower, and I can't find some of the things I ordinarily buy when I go shopping. It's definitely a different world out there!! Not to say I didn't enjoy visiting these places - I loved living in the San Francisco area (we were staying in Pacifica, right on the beach in our RV) and of course, I loved Las Vegas. We had our RV between Vegas and Henderson and I rode the bus everywhere - another thing that's not a Farmgirl thing I'm used to. Hated San Diego, but that's another story. I just tried to be myself wherever I was living at the time, funny looks and all. |
| chessie |
Posted - Aug 22 2007 : 6:36:49 PM
Hi Tammy, I wear my apron to my very urban grocery store and people love it. I live in San Diego county. Men compliment me and women chat me up. I get to talk about being a farmgirl in my heart (all while selecting organic groceries from all the junk & drinking my starbucks hot tea with organic milk) It feels so great to have folks ask me questions. So, might i suggest that you wear your apron to the market!
Cheers, karen
www.edgehillherbfarm.com "where the name is bigger than the farm, but no one seems to mind" |
| Tammy Claxton |
Posted - Aug 22 2007 : 6:01:05 PM
I feel better now! Thanks so much for everyone's advice.
What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger! |
| theknottysheep |
Posted - Aug 14 2007 : 08:52:34 AM
Tammy - I embrace my inner Farm Girl on a daily basis. Simpler is better and I have found that those who meet me for the first time are more in awe of what I do than are against it.
We grow vegetables (albeit in a small garden & containers), I spin my own wool, knit, troll farmer's markets, hang my laundry outside, compost all that I can - and basically N~jOY!
I am having a ball being a wee farmerish in a yuppie place!
hugs,
Kary
http://sheepatthebeachartstudio.blogspot.com |
| The Handmaiden |
Posted - Aug 11 2007 : 8:59:40 PM
Tammy - How 'bout checking in at the local farmer's market. Most cities have these at least once a week and sometimes twice. Get to know those farmin' folk and ask questions. Perhaps there's a local co-op. I bet you'll meet a few kindred spirits. Another thought is to sign up for quilting, knitting or other craft classes- great place to met like-minded pals. Call the local Chamber of Commerce for info. If you're a praying farmgirl just ask for some farm friends and they will show up. Last, but not least, get yourself a MJF bumper sticker that sez, "Wave if your a Farmgirl"... I know that "farmgirl attitude" has to be out there and you just have to find each other. I imagine you'll get a honk and a wave in no time. Keep us posted, because if they really aren't around, you have a duty to perform - educating the masses in your area to the beauty of the farmgirl heart. Do they not know what they're missing???
Hugs and don't give up!
"Faith shall finish all that Hope begins."
joan walsh anglund |
| Tammy Claxton |
Posted - Aug 10 2007 : 4:47:37 PM
Thanks for the advice and words of encouragement! I will keep trucking on to keep my inner farm girl rolling! LOL |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Aug 10 2007 : 4:39:50 PM
GReat idea Tammy. MAny cities are starting to experience the farming buzz as people become more interested in local food and organic products. Maybe you could be the pioneer for your community on this type of thinking! Good luck! Stick around here and you will seen that even in cyberspace a farming cammunity can exist!
Felt and Fabric Crafts
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com
BLOG
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com |
| windypines |
Posted - Aug 10 2007 : 4:12:01 PM
Hi Tammy-- I would think just doing what makes you happy would be great. Simple things, making your own stuff, how bout farming in your yard? Or whatever space you have available. Growing veggies, flowers what ever makes you happy. Your ideas may just catch on, and maybe you will find out your not alone in your neck of the woods. Baking your own bread will bring lots of friends around! Hang in there, and there are lots of ideas posted here. Good luck farm girl
Michele |
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