| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| bboopster |
Posted - Mar 18 2006 : 07:07:14 AM
Hello to all. My name is Betty Jo and I am new to this forum. I recently became an empty nester sooner then planned and now I find it scary to start the life I have been planning. I grow up a misplaced farmgirl in the city. My mother hated crafting, gardening, cooking, camping, or anything to do with the outdoors. I on the other hand love them all. When my children were little I had huge flower and vegtable gardens. I froze all our vegtables for the year. Made pickles,jams,cooked and baked up a storm. When I became a single mother that all ended as I could not do all of that, work and raise 5 children. I have recently married (June 25,2005) a wonderful man who encourages the farmgirl in me. My youngest child has decide to go live with his father with the other children, one graduating from college, one stationed in Iraq, one finishing boot camp and the other out on her own. I am face with making my dreams come true. My husband and I are building a new raised ranch home, on 5 acres that we bought, 10 years ago. The exposed basement will include a new motorcycle shop,(he restores antique bikes for a living), a 800 sq. ft workshop of my own I call Fargo, and a beautiful living space on the first floor with a loft. I find that I don't know where to start. But I am glad that I found MaryJanes book, this forum and look forward to finding my way back to the simple life.
Enjoying the simple life :>) |
| 24 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| bboopster |
Posted - Apr 01 2006 : 10:34:38 AM
My hubby gets frustrated too by my projects laying out. He is this neat orginaized person and me, well, I feel at home with some disorganization around me. Must come from having 5 kids. The first time I stepped into his motorcycle shop (12 years ago) and use the restroom I knew I was in trouble. The restroom was sooooooo clean you could have eaten off the floor. It took me a long time to invite him to my house. But we have made a deal. I get my own room for my projects and when it get to much for him he closes the door. I know when I over step my bounds in the house I come home to piles of my stuff on the counter. I pick them up and proudly take them to my room (Fargo) and put them away (or pile them). Hubby enjoys my finished products so he puts up with the mess.
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
| cajungal |
Posted - Mar 31 2006 : 04:14:02 AM
mornin' Betty Jo,
Your grocery store outing is certainly one I wish we had a picture of!! There does come a time in life when you really don't care what others think and ya' just gotta do what ya' gotta do. Although, I'm sure you're the first to do it in polar bear pajamas!!
The retreat sounds like it was worth the 4 hour drive. You're right, it is so great to be able to leave your projects out and not clean up. My problem is that I leave my projects out at home and my hubby gets quite frustrated with me.
Hey, I just had a brainstorm idea.....Remember the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes" ? ...the scene where actress Kathy Bates hits the car over and over again while yelling, "Tawanda!!" Well, I think I'll yell out "Betty Jo"
kids say...Mom, you're wearing THAT to the store!?! I say.....Betty Jo!!!
hubby says....Honey, why do you have 10 unfinished projects all over the furniture?.....I say.....Betty Jo!!!!
Have a great day
Blessings
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
| sonflowergurl |
Posted - Mar 30 2006 : 08:04:35 AM
I've just now gotten to this thread (so much to read, so little time!) and you sound like a girl after my own heart! I love the "jack of all, master of none" comment, that's me to a T! Welding sounds like a blast to do for "fun". My dad used to weld stuff all of the time when I was growing up, but it was mostly farm equipment and heavy machinery in need of repairs. One of these days, when I finish my degree/certification and can afford to take the summers off from work (I'm an instructional assistant at my school), I'm going to take the kids and spend a whole month in Kansas hanging out with my family (haven't been there in about 3 years now) and have my dad teach me to weld! (And go through tons of "goodies" my folks have around the place, they're packrats, so there's a ton of great treasures for me to find there! LOL) I love making stuff out of junk too, and a friend and I are attempting at getting to a place where we can sell some stuff online.
I'm so glad I've found this forum, it's awesome! :)
The end will justify the pain it took to get us here. |
| owwlady |
Posted - Mar 30 2006 : 07:42:08 AM
Betty Jo, email me and maybe we can set up a lunch date...Applebees on 33 might be fun... |
| bboopster |
Posted - Mar 28 2006 : 1:03:58 PM
Hello Ladies,
I returned home yesterday from my scrapbooking retreat. It was WONDERFUL!!! The drive was about 4 hours for me but through some of the most beautiful rolling country. My husband and I will be returning this summer on the motorcycle. The reterat was wonderful. Arrived Thursday evening with a very full car and unpacked, set up my table and sorted through years of pictures until the wee hours of the morning. Then spendt the rest of the weekend putting together pages for my childrens scrapbooks. The hardest pages were those of my X and myself like wedding and years when the kids were small. There were about 12 of us ladies on retreat. The women ranged in all ages and walks of life. It was great to sit and talk in the morning over fresh coffee and pasteries. To not have to clean up your project at night and a great lunch and dinner. Took the long way home down the Great Mississippi River road and the across the state following the Wisconsin river. Wonderful drive on a sunny spring day. I also have Crocus blooming here at home. Spring is here!!!!! OWWLade a diet coke sounds fun. I would love to start a MJ chapter.
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
| owwlady |
Posted - Mar 24 2006 : 07:45:22 AM
Hi Betty Jo and welcome...I haven't been on the forum for about a week and there's always so many new farmgirls when I get back on...I'm excited to have someone so close to me...I'm about 20 min. from you (Germantown). What fun it would be to get together somewhere over a diet coke or something!! Maybe even start a MJ chapter??? |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Mar 22 2006 : 10:18:04 PM
You are so brave Betty!! that is great!!! Sounds like the sort of outfit I milk the cow in in the mornings..only you have to add an old blue jacket with cow slobber, mud and cat hair on it too...
You are a hoot!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| bboopster |
Posted - Mar 22 2006 : 8:38:28 PM
We will be at the Sugar Creek Bible camp. My e-mail is bboopster59@yahoo.com. Give an e-mail maybe we could meet up. I just love this forum. I'm so glad I bought the book on a whim. I have a new story that happened today. I just had to laugh to myself. I've been home sick the last three days and today I finnaly started to feel better so I decide to make a Bake over from scratch. I had all my veggies and a chicken breast but really had a taste for some black beans. None in the cupboard so out the door I went with my dollar in my hand, jumped in my car and drove to the store only to get into the lot which was FULL to the brim, park my car at back of the lot only to realize that I was wearing my jammies. Yep I was really cute. Imagine 3 days of the flu, hair a mess, pink flannel pants with polar bears on ice skates that are very high water, black legging underneath, olive green insulated socks, my old gardening clogs that should have been retired years ago, and my hubby's sweatshirt that is older then dirt on. Now it's 4:15 so everyone and their cousin is in the store and half of the students I see everday at work are working at the store. I sat for a moment wonder if I should go home and just forget the beans or go in. Well I went in head held high and a smile on my face. You should have seen the looks, smirks and smiles. I'm sure they were all laughing at me. I was laughing at myself. Got my beans came home and made my bake over. By the way it was very good. I will tweek it a little next time to suit our tastes a bit. But I'm sure I was the talk of the store and I gave others a smile and a laugh. Life is just such a gas!!!
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
| ocoochgirl |
Posted - Mar 22 2006 : 4:40:54 PM
Hi,I'm a few miles from Ferryville! Maybe I'll come and see ya! I'ts a real Mississippi River town. Maybe you'll see the geese on their way north. I enjoyed reading your stories- aren't these folks the greatest? My boys have all left the nest,too. It's an adjustment that takes time getting used to, but you sound like you're keeping busy! Have a fun weekend! |
| bboopster |
Posted - Mar 22 2006 : 2:07:09 PM
Hello again,
Welding is such a cool thing. From the first arch until the project is finished. The only thing cooler is riding my antique dirt bike. I learned to weld at the high school I work at as a special education assistant. The tech ed teachers (men) were not very happy to have special education students in their classes as they are slower to learn and are not as well behaved. They also were not very happy to have a woman in the classroom either. But after a year of welding, woodworking, exploring tech and auto shop classes I proved to them that even though I am only 5'4" if I stand up real straight and on the petite size, I can hold my own. Besides getting even the toughest of students to behave and succeed. Thanks to my grandpa would had me in the garage from the time I could walk (much to my mother dismay) and my present husband who loves to have me in his shop, I have been able to learn to do many different things. We save the old parts from the motorcycles he repairs and other trinkets we find (we're pack rats) and build garden decorations for my gardens. The bad part is we fight over who gets to do the welding. I'm hopeing once we get into our new home that we can start to create these items and sell them. I understand the learning to cook for two thing. It's a good thing my hubby likes leftovers as there is always at least a weeks worth. This has taught me to take last nights meal and create some thing new out of it. Thanks again for the fantastic welcome. I'm have just a blast talking with all of you. Thanks for all your prayers for my sons and all the other service people in the world. Got good news today 1 of my sons will have a 27 day leave starting sometime in May and my other son in Iraq will be home for 10-15 days aboutthe same time it will be Great to have us all home together at the same time. It's been a long time.
Betty Jo
(Bboopster)
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
| junebug |
Posted - Mar 22 2006 : 04:41:57 AM
Welcome Carla, so glad you found us! There are tons of projects going on here in the forums, so take a peak! I'm a empty nester too, still can't get used to cooking less....but with grandkids coming now (3) I'm finding myself just as busy as before and loving it! Your sons are in my prayers as well as all service personel. My hubby grew up in Wisconsin so I hope to see it someday. So glad you found your farmgirl heart, enjoy your new life!
" Aspire to Inspire before you Expire"
www.herbalfarmstead.blogspot.com
www.countrypleasures.motime.com |
| cajungal |
Posted - Mar 22 2006 : 04:30:35 AM
Good Morning, Carla!!
WOW! You are woman and I hear you roar!!!
I also want to extend my gratitude to you and your family for serving our country. Y'all will be added to our prayer list.
Fargo, Farmington.....mine was/is the moon. When I tell my hubby I need a few minutes alone, I find a hiding place and when the girls ask where I am, he says, "She flew to the moon". I've hid in closets, bathrooms, outside and my most favorite place to retreat to is the driveway. Late at night, I lay down in the middle of the driveway looking up at the stars. It never fails, within minutes of my solitude, our 4 cats find me and take their places laying on my stomach, legs,.....head! I'm sure it's a funny picture but I sure do feel 'de-stressed' afterward.
I'm so glad you are picking up crafting and creating again. For people like all us gals......creative and skillfull.....we're driven to work with our hands. I think when we don't we get a little depressed. But, honey, you 've got so many great skills that you'll be flying high now! I would love to hear about welding. I think I'd like the feeling of the power of a torch in my hand. Please tell more!!
Blessings
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
| bboopster |
Posted - Mar 21 2006 : 10:56:01 PM
Hello Carla,
I love to work on too many crafts. I love to sew, used to make all my childrens clothing and party dresses for myself, Scrap booking, card making, rubber stamping, bird houses, refurbushing junk and furniture, garden art(love to weld),painting and stenciling,I have the equipment for stain glass but have not done much with it since I took my classes. I would like to get into rug hooking and floor cloth painting. I'm an addict for crafts, gardening, baking, and cooking. Jack of most, Master of none. I haven't had the chance to do alot of crafting in the last 5 or 6 years, do to my children, but now that they are grown and out I can't wait to set up my new shop. It looks like in the next 3 weeks I can start to move my supplies and equipment into the new shop and start the job of setting up and than unpacking. I have had so many of my supplies and equipment in storage that I can't even remember what they look like and what I have. Very sad. But this weekend I am off to a scraping retreat in Ferryville, WI, Thursday till Sunday. They feed us and do the dishes. All we have to do is create all weekend. YEAH!!!! Start a project and not have to clean it up for almost 3 days. But most of all my husband wholeheartedly encourages my addictions. He's a tinker too.
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
| JennyWren |
Posted - Mar 21 2006 : 1:56:01 PM
Hi Betty Jo!
First of all congratulations on being a newly wed! (You are a newly wed for at least 3 years ;)) I live in Milwaukee! I would love to hear what you work on in your workshop! How exciting!
Carla... |
| bboopster |
Posted - Mar 20 2006 : 11:03:48 AM
Thank you for the warm welcome.
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the simple life :>) |
| sillyfoulks |
Posted - Mar 19 2006 : 12:21:18 PM
Welcome Betty Jo! The Farmgirl Forum is wonderful. Everyone is fantistic, open and encourageing to everyone.
A Farmgirl Howdy!
Elizabeth
Not how long, but how well you have lived is the main thing.
http://livingcountrystyle.blogspot.com/ |
| happymama58 |
Posted - Mar 18 2006 : 4:19:41 PM
Betty Jo, I certainly understand about "Fargo". When I was growing up, my mom used to say, "You kids are driving me to Farmington." Farmington is the town about 45 miles from here where the state mental institution was at the time. Well, when I had my children, we were living in New Mexico and, wouldn't you know it, the state mental hospital was in a town called Farmington! And yes, I said the same thing to my kids a time or two.
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.blogspot.com/ |
| Nancy Gartenman |
Posted - Mar 18 2006 : 3:43:11 PM
YES welcome betty jo, my name is nancy jo, the girls are right, you will soon learn about alot of us, just stay tuned and post when you can, great place to come to.
NANCY JO |
| lonestargal |
Posted - Mar 18 2006 : 2:38:25 PM
Hi Betty Jo and welcome!! I'm a ways off yet of being an empty nester-my girls are 8 and 4 and I enjoy every minute of them. I cannot imagine what you're going through with 2 of your children in the military going to Iraq. Not only do I have incredible respect for our soldiers but for the families as well. Please let your boys know how much we all appreciate what they are doing for us and that we pray they return safely!! Glad your here to join us!! |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Mar 18 2006 : 12:21:10 PM
Welcome Betty Jo...I love that your workshop is named Fargo..that is PERFECT. You can escape to Fargo anytime you want! I love your sense of humor.
How neat that you are getting to live out your dream finally...
I am sure glad you found us..you sound like you will fit right in.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Julia |
Posted - Mar 18 2006 : 11:19:37 AM
Welcome Betty Jo! I am almost an empty nester, but already feeling the pangs of it. I am glad you get to have your farm again and spread your farmgirl wings. I look forward to getting to know more about you.
Know that your son in Irag is prayed for often by this house hold. My BIL is due to go in May.
I love the whole Fargo thing. I think we all have that "Place" that keeps us going.
ANyway, Glad to have you on the farm wagon! Julia V.
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
| bboopster |
Posted - Mar 18 2006 : 09:40:07 AM
Hello
My middle son Jon is in Iraq and my oldest son Bryan is finishing boot camp at Fort Knox then he is off to Fort Irwin CA to train and looks like he will ship out come Decmember. Fargo is a family joke. When the kids were young and had driven me to my wits end I would tell them that I was going to run away. I was going to Fargo ND. Where I would work at the Days Inn and eat hamburgers at George Webbs. (Why Fargo? Day's Inn? George Webb's? I really do not know it just came out. Maybe it's because I like the old west. Maybe it was just the thought of having some open space) And then I would go to this tiny little closet that was my work shop and lock the door untill I was ready to mother again. I know this sounds mean but with 5 children and being a single mom it just happened. Since then I have had two other shops each progressing in size called Fargo. My children and I have collected souvenirs from Fargo and I now have a nice collection. I guess Fargo became my quite place to be creative and relax. Silly I know but then again I am a bit silly.
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the simple life :>) |
| happymama58 |
Posted - Mar 18 2006 : 08:16:42 AM
Welcome, Betty Jo! Like you, I found this site through MaryJane's book, which I absolutely love. I am 2 years away from being an empty nester (oldest son is off at college & have a high school daughter still at home), so I'm getting close to where you are. Your new home plans sound really neat, but I have to ask -- why are you calling your workshop Fargo? Sounds intriguing!
Please keep us posted on your son in Iraq. I keep our service folks in my prayers (dh was in the Air Force, and my dad was career Navy, so servicemen/women always have a special place in my heart), and if you don't mind posting your son's first name, I'll pray for him by name. Again, welcome!
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.blogspot.com/ |
| ErinRapp |
Posted - Mar 18 2006 : 07:33:08 AM
Welcome! It sounds like you have a beautiful life ahead of you! New beginnings are so exciting...especially when it's part of your dream. My kids are young and still at home so I know nothing about the empty nest, but you must miss them! It sounds like you now have the opportunity to jump right in! Everyone here is so friendly and have so much in commom, hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Your son is in our prayers,
Erin
The grass is greener in your own backyard! |
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