| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Renee M. in Michigan |
Posted - May 19 2008 : 1:06:49 PM
Hi gals,
I am SOOO excited to have found this group/site/forum. It's just what I've been wanting and needing in my life. Woo hoo!
I just sent in my farmgirl sisterhood membership and I'm geeked. 
I'm Renee and I live with my husband and two daughters (ages 4 and 5) in Allendale MI on a little 10 acre farmette. Both of our daughters are adopted from China. I'm an "old" mommy at 46, but I plan on running circles around those 20-something mommies next Fall when my eldest starts kindergarten. ha ha.
On our little homestead we have four ponies, two goats, nine chickens, two rabbits, one guinea pig, six barn kitties, and two dogs. I just sprung the idea of getting some sheep as well on my husband this morning and as I'm still married, those sheep just might be in our future. I also like to garden (trying the lasagna method this year) build rustic (twig) furniture, knit, crochet, silk ribbon embroider, ride horses, sketch, write, and buy and sell on ebay/Craigslist. I would also like to get back to being a fledgling spinner in the near future and I would LOVE to learn to felt. I always have a "to learn" list a mile long.
Now, I need to come clean here right off the bat. . . I cannot sew. No, that's not quite right: I do not like to sew. Okay, okay, truth be told, I detest sewing and I'm very envious of you ladies that can and enjoy sewing. My mother was an expert seamstress -- made most of our clothes growing up and both my sisters' and my wedding dresses, but that gene apparently skipped a generation. I absolutely don't have it. (Mom got an A on my home-economics sewing project. Sigh.) So. . .I cheat and buy my vintage aprons off ebay. I hope this domestic defect won't get me drummed out of the MJ farmgirls club right off the bat.
Oh, and I'm also a 3rd shift X-ray tech at a small hospital, working 36 hours a week, but that's just what I do for money, not what I do for a living. : )
-- Renee M. in the mitten
P.S. If the Allendale chapter of MJ farmgirls is reading, I sent you an e-mail.
No woman ever made history by following the rules. |
| 19 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Cindy MooLou |
Posted - May 21 2008 : 9:36:34 PM
Hello and welcome,
I really enjoyed the glimpse of your rural life you shared here. Your positive outlook and passion for the simple life was evident in your post.
Cindy |
| kindacrunchymom |
Posted - May 21 2008 : 9:29:20 PM
Hi from another Michigander! We live on the other side of the mitten, but I love your area!
Farmmom to my 3 year old farm tot, and wife to a country boy!
To learn more about me, here is my blog:
http://mcadmom.wordpress.com/
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| Forrester Farm |
Posted - May 21 2008 : 8:56:40 PM
Jonni - are you still dancing?
Renee - The Allegan Flea Market is at the fairgrounds. The last Sunday of every month - April thru Sept. It is so much fun.
Bummer about the nearby farm. We have an 80 acre farm across the street - right next to a 10 acre farm. It would be horrible to have that activity happen there. I love working in my garden and hearing the cows (especially at this time of year when the calves are being separated from their mommas).
Ann
Forrester Farm
http://picasaweb.google.com/FORRESTERFARM/FORRESTERFARMWEDDINGS |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - May 21 2008 : 8:48:33 PM
Renee...I'm so glad you've had an opportunity to visit Interlochen. Was it an outside concert or inside? If outside in the summer, that's where we had our graduation ceremony, if inside, in the large theater, that's where we performed ballets and sypmphonys. I was a dance major and went all 4 years of high school there. I sure miss it...Traverse City has a lot more there than when we used to get bussed into town, that's for sure!!!
Again, welcome, can't wait to know more about you!!
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| Renee M. in Michigan |
Posted - May 21 2008 : 8:44:27 PM
[quote]Originally posted by Forrester Farm
Renee,
Welcome to the site. I'm so glad that you found it. Ditto on previous comments about sounding wonderful and full of energy.
Hi Ann,
Awww shucks. . . now I'm blushing. 
>My former day care provider lives in Allendale,
. . . What a great place to live - and so close to Lake Michigan!<
We've lived in Allendale for over 20 years (hubby longer as he grew up here) and it's really changed. It used to be very rural and
quaint, but now, we have these awful McMansion developments springing up all over. . . For example: There was a farm doing rotational grazing with cow-calf pairs near us. I would go past them on the way to work. I LOVED watching and taking note of what they did, what they planted, how they moved the cows, etc. etc. Now, most of this property is under construction to be an exclusive water skiing community, complete with several long man-made trenches, I mean finger-lakes, all hooked together and big $$$$ lots for sale around them. Ick. There is a 1.1 acre lot across the road from us for sale. No water, sewer, or gas line available -- what they call an unimproved lot. It is for sale for $50,000. (Oh, and it cracks me up -- it say's "acreage" on the realty sign.) Anyway, we're staying put due to our jobs and family close by, but it sure isn't the rural, farming community it once was. We provide the greenspace in our neighborhood more or less with our little 10 acres.
>I have to ask... do you ever go to the Allegan Flea Market?<
No, but I've gone to the Fiber Festival at the fair grounds several times. Is the Flea Market held at the fairgrounds? What do they sell? Is it like Shipshewana? I haven't been to Shipshewana in years, but I always liked to go there.
>Also, how did you find this site?<
I got MJ's lifebook last year, then I spied her magazine at our TSC and from there, I found 'yall!
fondly,
Renee M. in the mitten
No woman ever made history by following the rules. |
| Leezard |
Posted - May 21 2008 : 6:50:51 PM
Welcome to the board from another Michigander! Glad to have you here Renee!
http://ruby--slippers.blogspot.com/
www.leezard.etsy.com |
| Forrester Farm |
Posted - May 21 2008 : 6:48:23 PM
Renee,
Welcome to the site. I'm so glad that you found it. Ditto on previous comments about sounding wonderful and full of energy.
My former day care provider lives in Allendale, and I was just talking to another friend today about getting together with her for lunch in the next couple of weeks. What a great place to live - and so close to Lake Michigan!
I have to ask... do you ever go to the Allegan Flea Market? It is one of my favorite places to go - and not too far from you.
Also, how did you find this site?
Ann
Forrester Farm
http://picasaweb.google.com/FORRESTERFARM/FORRESTERFARMWEDDINGS |
| Alee |
Posted - May 21 2008 : 6:33:04 PM
Ha! Renee you sound like me! Right now I am pretending not to see my love see with a load or two of laundry on it! LOL
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| Renee M. in Michigan |
Posted - May 21 2008 : 6:26:30 PM
Thank you all for the warm welcome!
Whew -- I'm so glad there are other thread-challenged ladies here.
Jonni in Kentucky -- Interlochen is BEAUTIFUL! I went there once to a concert. You must be gifted in the arts then to have attended? And yes, the whole "show me where you live in the mitten" thing is the sign of a true Michigander (all the rectangular states have penisular envy. . . ).
(We're under the little finger -- about where your lifeline starts.)
Oh Alee, I laughed out loud when I read that I gave the impression of lots of energy. . . You haven't seen me conked out on the couch at 9:30 pm, mouth open and drooling, with the laundry half-folded around me. Let's just say I have lots of ambition and almost enough steam to get me there most days.
Hi other René! I have an accent over my second "e" too, but I'm usually too lazy to use the ALT key and 233 to do it.
Lainey -- We *almost* had a Lainey in our family. Our oldest is named Lorraine and we intended to call her Lainie for short, and we did until she was 18 mo. and started talking. . . Then she informed us her name was "Laina", not "Lainie". And she's been Laina every since.
As for being an old mommy. . .You know, I would not have been a good Momma in my 20's or 30's. I needed those extra decades to mature and discover who I was in order to have the confidence in my "mothering" decisions/ability. My husband says the same thing. Some people are ready at 20 or 30, we weren't. : ) We LOVE being parents at this stage in life. And I often think if we hadn't waited, we wouldn't have the girls we do. So, I know it was all as meant to be (divine timing). It took me 7 years to convince my husband we should adopt. And he's such a great daddy now. It all works out.
Well, I'm off to check out other topics now. Thanks again for the welcome gals!
fondly,
-- Renee M.
No woman ever made history by following the rules. |
| Moonsanity |
Posted - May 21 2008 : 10:35:25 AM
Hello! I'm 47, so I know how you feel! Mine are 8, 13, and 14. You are one busy lady--- and crafty!
~Brenda
Farmgirl Sister #207
Journey of Grace and Whimsy
http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/ |
| Maryjane Lee |
Posted - May 21 2008 : 10:16:30 AM
Hello Renee! Those two little girls are BLESEED to have you as their Mommy! They will have a wonderful life raised on the farm! Looking forward to getting to know you!
Hugs, Maryjane Lee
Farmgirl Sister #44
http://thebeehivecottage.blogspot.com
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| Lainey |
Posted - May 21 2008 : 05:26:02 AM
Welcome Renee, nice meeting you here! It sounds like you lead a very interesting life. And congrats on your children! If my hubby and I have a child and/or adopt in the next few years I'll be an 'old' mommy too. I think it's great! And I agree with Alee, sounds like you are full of energy!
Farmgirl Sister #25
http://countrygirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
| cathy cobblestone |
Posted - May 19 2008 : 9:25:11 PM
Hi Renee, sounds like you have your hands full - but I can tell you are filled with life!!! So glad you found us - you are gonna absolutely love it here. And by the way, I'm no seamstress either. I like to sew to "suit myself" but I wouldn't want anyone else looking at the hem - ya know what I mean? Ha Ha!
Happy to have you here! Best wishes to you and your sweet girls!
www.cobblestonefarms.blogspot.com
Today is a gift, live it! |
| ruralfarmgirl |
Posted - May 19 2008 : 7:21:36 PM
HI Renee,
As I said on the other thread.. Great Name!
Welcome, you will love it here...
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
" Plant goodness, harvest the fruit of loyalty, plow the new ground of knowledge. Hosea 10:12 |
| handyam |
Posted - May 19 2008 : 6:32:19 PM
Welcome Renee from Michigan. I've been to Detroit. One of our daughters played in a national softball tournament there once. My mother is an expert seamstress as well and I never liked to sew. I did manage to make most of my clothes as a young mother. Then my salary got a little better and I would buy clothes on sale. Now I love to do special projects--purses, aprons, baby quilts and wall hangings. Check out my blog for some of my work.
These folks on this site are wonderful. There is so much information from women who have tried it before they share it. Just ask if you have any questions and there will be all kinds of advice. You will become addicted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
www.adasadorableaprons.blogspot.com
This is the day that the Lord has made. |
| electricdunce |
Posted - May 19 2008 : 3:32:16 PM
Welcome Renee, you are going to love this forum! Your farmette sounds great. It seems to me you don't need to be bothered with sewing if you don't like it, you certainly have plenty of other talents. How nice that you have two little girls from China, I bet they are a barrel of fun.I go to Michigan every fall for a quilt retreat, it's a beautiful state.
]
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
| Alee |
Posted - May 19 2008 : 2:23:17 PM
Welcome Renee! Wow! My first impression is lots of energy! I bet you sleep really well at night! Or I guess you probably sleep part of the day since you work 3rd shift?
Anyway! Welcome to the forum! I used to hate sewing as well, now I am addicted. But we love farmgirls of every shape, size, and ability! There are some really great seamstresses here that make some FABULOUS aprons!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - May 19 2008 : 1:52:35 PM
Renee - you sound wonderful! Welcome!
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - May 19 2008 : 1:20:34 PM
Howdy, Renee!!!! Sounds like a wonderful life, for sure...and don't worry, while I don't detest sewing, I can do very little...also on my "to learn" list :)
I went to school in Michigan (Interlochen, near Traverse City), so I know what the mitten is all about--welcome to our little corner of the web. You'll fit in just fine!!!!
Jonni in Kentucky
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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