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**Welcome Wagon:  Even when my "frustration meter" is pegged...  |
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AlpacaRenee
Farmgirl in Training
10 Posts
Renee
Wilton
Ca
USA
10 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 14 2008 : 12:47:15 PM
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Hi to all you farmgirls,
I am new to this, but here goes...
I have a 20-acre farm in northern California. I am alone. I still work full-time in my "bill paying job." I raise fiber animals: sheep, angora goats and sweet alpacas. Those of you who have farms and/or livestock, you know what I mean when I say the work is NEVER done. But even when my "frustration meter" is registering in the red zone, I try to breathe in, breathe out and be grateful. I have blessings beyond my wildest dreams and yet, in the day to day trudging through chores, fixing fences, figuring out why someone is limping on his left hind, or how to rig something that I can't afford to fix (permanently and/or professionally) right now, the reality is THIS IS HARD WORK! I find joy and therapy in each task. But lots of times, I have to hurry, because the "outside world" (non-farm life) doesn't stop because the sheep got out, or a birthing needs assistance...and I think that is what causes 60% of my stress. The remaining stress comes from financial stress.
Does this resonate with any of the rest of you?
Finney's Fiber Farm Alpacas...where being dense is a GOOD thing! |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jun 14 2008 : 1:40:47 PM
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It sure does..and welcome to the group Renee!!! It is so hard to keep up with everything....just enjoy what you can when you can. I love the end of the day (on an evening when I can just be home and enjoy it) sitting outside and breathing in the clean fresh air and watching the critters play. hang in there! I am glad you found us!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
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 |
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Carol Sue
True Blue Farmgirl
4033 Posts
Carol Sue
Washingtonian
USA
4033 Posts |
Posted - Jun 14 2008 : 5:11:20 PM
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Renee,
I am impressed that you keep going each and every day. That even in your frustration, you keep putting one foot in front of the other. You are important, and your life counts. As hectic, stressing and frustrating as it gets, it is yours.
And what you do counts.
Welcome to the farm.
Carol Sue
listening to the quiet moments
Farmgirl #39
www.Quitemoments.blogspot.com |
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AlpacaRenee
Farmgirl in Training
10 Posts
Renee
Wilton
Ca
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - Jun 14 2008 : 11:11:45 PM
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Thank you both! It was reassuring to hear that I am not alone in this journey. Sometimes, just knowing that we are not alone, is the little nudge of encouragement we get from other kindred spirits. Sometimes I am struggling with something, I tell myself "I could do this, if my life depended on it." And that gives me that little grunt of grrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! that helps me to get it lifted, twisted, dug out, or whatever needs doing. This past summer I was injured and have had 3 surgeries on my left wrist, and although I am right handed, this world is made for people with two hands... from tying my shoes, to fastening my bra, to drying off after a shower, everything was harder with one hand. But I adapted, improvised and overcame (borrowing from the US Marines) most things. I used a cordless reciprocating saw to saw my bales of hay in half lengthwise so the flakes were more manageable with one hand. then I would cut the strings and be able to handle 1/2 flakes into the garden cart, and then tote it around with myright hand and feed....only now, from the over use for9 months, my right hand has carpal tunnel! Oh well. I am very grateful my left hand is getting better now and I am grateful it will be full stregth before too long!
Thanks again!!! Glad I found you.
Finney's Fiber Farm Alpacas...where being dense is a GOOD thing! |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4313 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4313 Posts |
Posted - Jun 15 2008 : 04:20:24 AM
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Hi Renee,
Nice to meet you. You will find lots of help and support here. I know exactly what you are talking about. Trying to have a farm and work out is challenging. Some days I just want to say forget it.....but then things go right, and I would not want it any other way.
Michele |
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elphie0503
True Blue Farmgirl
500 Posts
Samantha
Gilmer
Texas
USA
500 Posts |
Posted - Jun 15 2008 : 09:04:10 AM
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Renee~I can relate, except instead of animals I am raising children on the farm. It seems that once I get one chore done, they have created 4 more to replace it! I wouldn't trade any of it for the world though!!!
Welcome to our Farmgirl Family!
Samantha
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort~~Albright
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Jun 15 2008 : 10:43:34 AM
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Renee,
Welcome. Sounds like your hands are full...Glad you are here.
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
" Plant goodness, harvest the fruit of loyalty, plow the new ground of knowledge. Hosea 10:12 |
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Betty J.
True Blue Farmgirl
1404 Posts
Betty
Pasco
WA
USA
1404 Posts |
Posted - Jun 15 2008 : 10:59:06 AM
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My darling DIL has a paralyzed arm from an auto accident. I don't know how she manages, but she does. She is now pregnant and I don't know how she is going to manager. However, she has my dear son and he loves her to death and the feelings are mutual. He works a full time job, spends one weekend a month with the ANG and does some of the housework and cooking too. Must be they have figured it out. Bless them for that.
Just sign me
The MIL
Betty in Pasco |
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**Welcome Wagon: Even when my "frustration meter" is pegged... |
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Even when my "frustration meter" is pegged...
