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country lawyer
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
1022 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 21 2005 : 12:50:42 PM
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Absolute inspiration! That's what I've found as I have read the posts by you farmgirls on this site. Thank you! Now it's time for me to officially join your party.
I'm a farmgirl trapped in a world of pavement, strip malls, BMW's and Botox - the urban sprawl of metro Atlanta...where every cow pasture has become a parking lot. I came to the Hotlanta area from a small Georgia town when I was 18 years old and I've been stuck ever since. I'm 42 now. Success, shiny things and ego have their price. My husband and I both wish we could run away to an old rickety farm house on 100 acres in western North Carolina mountains. We've been married almost 15 years and are both tired of the "rat race." Now we have a four year old daughter and realize that the quality of life in the Atlanta area is not what we would like for our daughter's formation and development. We'd love to find Mayberry and 1967. Has anybody located it? Here, we are on 5 acres of mostly woods, but are we are surrounded by traffic jams, crime, and stressed out folks. We've always had tons of dogs and cats and a vegetable garden, but dream of a more authentic, rewarding existence. We feed birds, raccoons and even a herd of deer who are trapped in our woods because of the development surrounding us. I've sewed some, made some jelly, grown and dried some herbs. That's about it for my personal farmgirl experience. Maybe one day my husband and I will have the courage to escape the trap and trappings.
Until then, I'll live it vicariously through Mary Jane and you farmgirls. I cherish Mary Jane's publications, as you all do. I've much to learn from you and look forward to being one of you.
"All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well."
Julian of Norwich |
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theherblady
True Blue Farmgirl
510 Posts
Jan
Glasford
Illinois
USA
510 Posts |
Posted - Dec 21 2005 : 1:19:06 PM
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Welcome Rebekah!! I'm sure you will love it here!! Great to have another "farmgirl" on board~~
Jan |
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Luzy
True Blue Farmgirl
922 Posts
Luanne
Pueblo
Colorado
USA
922 Posts |
Posted - Dec 21 2005 : 1:42:52 PM
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Rebekah, Welcome! Fear not, chin up, someday your farm will come. It did for me when I least expected it. I was always a city mouse, but longed for the lifestyle of my Grandparents. Two years ago a major change came into my life and "POOF" I'm living my farmlife and could'nt be happier! Just be open to change when the time comes. I wish I would have found the change earlier instead of it finding me!!! You'll find lots of inspiration and true friends here. Sending you a big ol' hug, Lu
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May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am. |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Dec 21 2005 : 2:01:58 PM
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Welcome Rebekah!! Sounds like you have a great start...I know what you mean about Mayberry..I feel like we have the closest possible here in our little town of 3,000. It is so fun and special for the kids..I wish my grown kids could have grown up here too. The small town I grew up in ...central coast of Calif has grown so big that I couldn't bear to live there any longer...this is a breath of fresh air.
I am sure glad you found us..you sound great!!
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Dec 21 2005 : 4:17:48 PM
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Rebekah ... welcome ... and keep that farm in your heart! We have very dear friends who own a Christmas Tree Farm in Creston, North Carolina (western part of the state) .. near Boone. We visit about once a year and it is a heavenly place! We actually looked there before moving to Kentucky ... would dearly love to have lived the rest of our lives as neighbors to my very best and longest time girlfriend. (GRACE) .. We became best friends in kindergarten .. went all the way through school together and have remained close to this very day. IF you ever consider the Boone area, i'll sure put you in touch with Grace and Charles .. you would adore them!!!! And they you, too, i'm sure!
and IF .. you decide to look a little further 'north' .. come to Kentucky ... this is indeed, God's back yard! Look forward to hearing lots of your stories. Welcome! Welcome! xo, Frannie
True Friends, Frannie |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Dec 21 2005 : 4:19:07 PM
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Rebekah -- welcome!!! We're so glad that you found us. You sound like a true blue Farmgirl already. I can totally relate to living in the big city and the rat race. We moved to our slice of heaven (although we don't own it) last March and I'll never go back. We're still close enough to the city to do shopping if need be but I don't go in anymore than I have to. Just keep your dream alive and it will happen for you.
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
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The Farmers Daughter
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Sherry
LeRoy
Kansas
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - Dec 21 2005 : 4:51:47 PM
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Welcome Rebekah! I think 100% of the women on this board are all dreaming of, if not living our dream of being "Farmgals"! For each of us it comes at different times. I'm thankful I do live on a farm and while retirement doesn't pay all that much, it does have it's advantages...No more working for "the other guy"! If you ever think of moving to Kansas be sure and drop me a note and I'll do what I can to find you a small farm! You can check out my Blog :(http://oldcrowfarmks.blogspot.com/) to see how we live!
Sher, The Farmer's Daughter |
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julia hayes
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
julia
medical lake
wa
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Dec 21 2005 : 7:17:24 PM
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Welcome Rebekah! I think you are well on your way. I firmly believe so much of what makes a farm-girl life so enchanting is the spirit we all share regardless of whether we actually live on a real farm or not. Physical surroundings help, to be sure, but sounds like you are on your way. You can do so much good for those many closeted farm-girls who are racing around trying to keep up with someone else's definition of reality. You go girl!! Blessings Julia Hayes
being simple to simply be |
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CountryGirl85
True Blue Farmgirl
225 Posts
Laura
Oswego
IL
USA
225 Posts |
Posted - Dec 21 2005 : 9:11:23 PM
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Welcome Welcome! I know how you feel about being trapped in the urban sprawl. Here in Illinois, I see more and more farmland dug up every day to make way for those strip malls and pavement and big houses. Just keep that farmgirl spirit alive and spread it around!
Much love,
Laura |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Dec 22 2005 : 04:50:24 AM
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Laura, I'm a few miles west of you, outside Earlville. We haven't yet experienced the sprawl, but we have the traffic. We've been here 22 years, and are considering moving to get away from the noise. But I need to stay in LaSalle County so I can keep my vet and farrier!
Oswego has changed a HUGE amount in these last 22 years. I'm sorry to see you're a suburb now. We used to have Mayberry out here when I first moved here, but now I'm not sure where it is. *sigh*
Rebekkah, we moved out here for our kids. I didn't want to see my daughters grow up with some of the superficial values I was seeing out of the Mall Princesses. It must've worked; it was my younger daughter who first told me about this site! She lives in an apartment, but is a farmgirl at heart, and always will be.
And I'd urge every parent to think carefully about the values they pass along, intentionally or unwittingly. Of the many adults I've spoken to on this subject, not one ever expresses a regret for not having the fanciest bike, the Barbie Dreamhouse, or the Ninendo. Every single one wishes they'd had more of their parent's time. There is nothing we can purchase for them that is more precious than that. There is no big car, no fancy house, no expensive wardrobe that's worth giving up that. And that's at the beginnings of life.
I remember seeing a person interviewed that ran a hospice. He said that in the final days, all the material measurements of our lives fall away; and they all have two questions about their lives. These questions are Were they loved? And how well did they love?
See, it's never really about the 'things.' Consider making your move now, and make your children rich in the things that really matter. |
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Lavender Cottage
True Blue Farmgirl
273 Posts
Ellen
USA
273 Posts |
Posted - Dec 22 2005 : 06:48:03 AM
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Welcome Rebekeh-glad to have you with us. It will be fun hearing from you. I agree with much of what is said here and wish you the best in finding your Mayberry!
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Ellen in MI |
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Once upon a Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
57 Posts
Ivy
Bartlett
TN
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - Dec 22 2005 : 07:37:19 AM
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Welcome Miss Rebekah,
I am in the same boat as you. We are trapped just outside of Memphis. We have been trying to escape this place, with no real luck. Just hang in there, becasue I believe your Mayberry might exist. I know my farm is just waiting for me, somewhere. And I will find it!
Merry Christmas, Ivy |
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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Dec 22 2005 : 07:51:45 AM
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| Rebekah, When you find Mayberry, let me know and I'll come and be your neighbor. I too don't have my special place yet, but someday it will come. You truly have a farmgirl heart and that's the most important thing. Welcome |
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country lawyer
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
1022 Posts |
Posted - Dec 22 2005 : 09:03:11 AM
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Thank you, Farmgirls, for the warm welcome! It is so nice to converse with like-minded people. Frannie, we love the Boone area. The climate is so attractive to us...lots of snow (for NC). Wish I had a Christmas tree farm there like your friend! The land is quite expensive. Mary Ann, I love that term "Mall Princess". That is SOOOOO Atlanta. I'm doing my best to safeguard against rearing a daughter who becomes that. Currently, if you ask my daughter what she wants to be when she grows up, she says a farmer. I didn't plant that idea in her mind either...I just planted the seeds that made that idea grow, I guess. She loves to be in the garden. She does say, however, that she wants a TV show where she teaches everyone how to farm and garden. Guess that's not so down to earth...famous TV personality. Funny, she's four and prefers to garden bare-footed. Her "TV show" has been named the bare-footed gardener. She actually narrates the show while she plays in the garden. Joy. We have turnips, turnip greens and mustard greens growing now. Trying to make the best of being stuck in Atlanta.
Merry Christmas,
Rebekah
"All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well."
Julian of Norwich |
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mountainnana5
Farmgirl at Heart
8 Posts
Jonilea
Lenoir
North Carolina
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - Dec 30 2005 : 06:48:42 AM
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| Wanted to say hi. My husband and I did move from Indianapolis to the Blue Ridge mountains. Bought 15 acres and getting ready to build alittle cabin. Putting in a spring box and for awhile will use batteries and an inverter for electric. I can't wait. We also have 6 dogs,2 cats, and a bird. My children thinks we are nuts. |
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Snowden Cottage
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
Mumsie
Valley
WA
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - Dec 30 2005 : 07:42:20 AM
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Greetings to you and yours Jonilea! Boy do we have a lot in common! Hopefully the sale pending on our house will go thru soon..and we, too..(my DH and myself) are planning to move to "Rosehaven"..our new place on 6 wooded acres with a 16 x 20 cabin/cottage (we already have plans to add on to it) ,..no electric yet, or running water...unless the creek counts! Gonna leave a wonderful farm cottage with all the amenities in place...but gonna leave a mortgage, too! We were gifted with the land..and literally ache to move to it! Gotta start an organic raised bed garden, chickens and whatever all over...slowly and Simply! Downsizing has been fun..just keeping my absolute necessities and treasures (still gotta long way to go  ). Our kids...and a few other family and friends think we are nuts, also..but the ones that really know us and love us are rootin for us! Go for your dream, girl and keep us posted on the adventure. GB Mumsie
Live simply... Love deeply...Hope forever! |
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blueroses
True Blue Farmgirl
1323 Posts
Debbie
in the Pandhandle of
Idaho
USA
1323 Posts |
Posted - Dec 30 2005 : 08:55:02 AM
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Hi Rebekah,
Welcome. My daughter, sil & grandson live in Ackworth GA and even though they're out there, they plan on moving back to Idaho next fall. Can't wait. Of course, where we are isn't very country any more either. We had such a housing boom the last two years. Hopefully it will taper off. I too would like to have at least 5 acres to do organic farming for our use. Right now, we just drive down the road a few miles to a u-pick farm and can all that we can. Everyone here at least is in the right state of mind - farmgirls - no matter where we live.
Jonilea,
Wow. You really are doing it! That is so great. I've heard that the Blue Ridge Mountains are beautiful.
Debbie
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Dec 30 2005 : 09:18:20 AM
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Welcome, Rebekah - We are five hours south of you just over the line in Florida. There are small towns in Georgia and great little rural areas, too. Perhaps you do not need to look too far to find that farm! More and more Atlanta folks are moving to our city.....good for them, but driving our real estate prices through the roof!
Glad to have you here with so many other farmgirls at heart! It certainly sounds like your heart is in sync with all of us here!
"Sell cleverness and buy wonder" |
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country lawyer
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
1022 Posts |
Posted - Jan 01 2006 : 1:17:25 PM
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Jonilea, How'd you do it? How'd you make it happen? Was there a transition or did you just pack up and go? That's what I'm trying to figure out...how to do it. I find such inspiration in the farmgirl stories on this forum. I know what you mean, our friends think we are crazy when we describe what we want to do, too. Are your children grown or did they move with you? Are you building your own cabin? Did you suffer any culture shock? Oh, yes, and what in the world is a "spring box?"
Debbie, I know your kids will be happy to return home. We are in the metro Atlanta area too. Where we are was once considered so far out no one would ever come here. Wrong! I just read in our local paper about a carjacking in what was a quiet subdivision down the street. This is definitely not Mayberry. I'm sure your kids' quality of life will be far better with you in Idaho.
And, Jpbluesky, I know, I know...south Georgia farms are available and priced right. I'm from Georgia and have always enjoyed the wide, open spaces of south Georgia. But, my husband is from south Florida and he dreams of a colder winter. We have this vision of where we want to be. Want to hear about it? Here it is. When I sit on the rocking chair front porch of my old, old farmhouse, I'd like to see a pasture with a few alpacas and goats and sheep in it. Beyond that is a red barn and a chicken coop. The rushing stream flows all year long and I can actually hear it from the porch. In the distance, I can see...the Blue Ridge Mountains. In the winter, it is sunny and cold and crisp. It snows every now and then. Oh, yes, this is at the end of a dirt road, right outside of a sweet, friendly, sleepy town. See the problem? When I talked to a real estate agent in north west North Carolina, she actually laughed. Maybe one day she'll call.
Wishing everyone a terrific New Year,
"All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well."
Julian of Norwich |
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TejasFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
105 Posts
Dawnn
Bartonville
Texas
USA
105 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2006 : 3:14:00 PM
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Hi Rebekah -
I just joined and was reading prior posts...kindred spirits. I am 38, a corporate attorney with three very young children. We are pursuing our dream of an acreage and the farm life as much as we can within the constraints of the world we live in. The place we bought is about 30 miles north of Dallas and I am blessed that I have flexibility with my job to leave at 4:00 so it takes me 45 minutes in traffic. I know exactly how you feel. I am hopeful that this place we are in right now (in our minds and hearts) will grow, expand and take hold more and more every year.
I would love to hear from you.
D. |
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garliclady
True Blue Farmgirl
274 Posts
Reidsville
NC
274 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2006 : 10:12:00 AM
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Welcome Rebekah
NC is a lovely place to live. I live North east of Greensboro. I love this area of NC . I live in a very rural county, so rural that the Amish moved here. But 30-50 miles away are big cities. We found this helpful when we stared trying to market our farm goods. Folks in very rural areas are not interested in fresh homegrown organic produce they have there own gardens. But we are close enough to high population areas (Greensboro/Winston Salem /Raleigh/Durham) where fresh local organic produce can be sold at premium prices. So if you are looking for farm land the northern piedmont (Stokes, Rockingham, Caswell, Person counties) are a great place to start and we do get some snow.
Cornerstone Garlic Farm http://www.localharvest.org/listing.jsp?id=6792
My Recipes http://recipecircus.com/recipes/garliclady/ |
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country lawyer
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
1022 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2006 : 12:27:22 PM
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Dawnn, Dawnn, Dawnn, how fabulous to have you here! I'm so glad to hear from another lawyer who yearns for something other than money and authority and fame. I read the line in one of your postings for someone not to hold it against you because you are an attorney. Funny! Isn't that the truth? I am enthralled by your decision to move out of Dallas. I think Atlanta and Dallas are a lot alike in many respects...lots of fancy cars and pretty people. Good for you for escaping. It's a trap. Once you reach a certain place (level of success, if you will) it's sucks everything out of you. My husband and I just don't have the courage to make a change...yet. And, of course, there isn't a whole lot of support from friends. They think we're nuts to want to give up everything and get outta here. So, I visit the Farmgirls and dream. One day, I'll have a cow like "Mona", or a red barn with a rainbow over it, or hollyhocks by the old screen door, or some chickens for eggs and entertainment, etc, etc, etc. I just love to read everyone's posts. You'll have a ball here. You'll soon discover that the folks here are the "real McCoy." Whether living it like many or dreaming it like many, we are together in heart. Hope the sale of your house goes well. Interesting to hear about your husband. Tell us more about how the decision was made for him to be home and how he likes it. I love to hear about people who think "out of the box."
GarlicLady, you inspire me! I even ordered some garlic for my little patch of garden after reading about you and your farm. I'll check out those counties you mentioned in NC. The ones we have been looking in are quite expensive...you've got to be a millionaire to become a farmer there! Thanks for the encouraging words. One day we'll run away and "just do it."
"All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well."
Julian of Norwich |
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TejasFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
105 Posts
Dawnn
Bartonville
Texas
USA
105 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2006 : 3:14:10 PM
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Good to hear from you Rebekah! Dreams are wonderful...now that we have the "place" and someday soon will have the chickens, the garden and a screen door that bangs--my next dream will to be able to stop being a lawyer and be self sufficient. That probably won't happen unil my kids are grown...I don't want to not provide them with a great education (college that is- the edcuation that they will get be raised on a "farm" is priceless).
Dallas and Atlanta are a lot alike - I call it the glitz factor - lots of bleach blonds and silicone here and concern over what type of car you drive. I actually had one person at work ask me why I drive such a "junker" car (its a 1996 Honda Accord) when I must make good money. I was appalled. I think I will drive it until the wheels fall off now. I know one person that has a car that costs $95,000. A car!! Even if I had that kind of money, I could never bring myself to buy something like that. Now a $95,000 piece of land, or a herd of jerseys, you bet!
My husband, Mark, is a wonderful man - I still pinch myself. We have been married for 6 years and when our oldest (Connor is 5) was 8 months old, we were paying for a Nanny and Mark (in the restaurant business at the time) was never home. He was sick of his job so we decided that he would quit and look for something else. 6 weeks later we decided that he should stay home. Sometimes I struggle with not being home - given my choice I would be. I believe this is the best thing for our family and especially our kids. Women are by nature mulit-taskers - when Mark worked, he focussed on that. I work, but my focus is on my family - work is secondary. So my Kids have the benefit of a full time Mom and a full time Dad. He enjoys it but has his days.
Tell me more about yourself! I love this site. I find that making women friends is difficult - I am sort of in limbo between the stay at home moms and the working moms - and enjoy the discussions.
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Fabulous Farm Femmes
True Blue Farmgirl
792 Posts
Diane
Lakebay, Tacoma
WA
792 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2006 : 3:45:37 PM
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Rebekah, if you really want to do it, don't wait. Life is just too short!! You CAN do it.
My hubby worked in Seattle...made BIG bucks with lots of overtime. But, the city life isn't what we wanted. We did live in a nice neighborhood in a smaller nearby city..in a lovely vintage home..but we felt the same as you- too much of everything around us... money,big cars, crime, city life.We are very simple people.
We found out if he took a lower paying job in a smaller area, he could have a company car. We did that, sold the lovely historic home, bought acreage in a very rural area, paid off bills so we could live on one income, and lived in a rental for a year until we decided whether to purchase, build or? Found out to build would take too long with restrictions, codes etc. so we custom built or should say customized a beautiful new manufactured home and put it on our 3 acres. And have never regretted it for one minute!We are adding "character" to our home as we can...wainscotting, moldings, landscaping, etc, after almost 15 years there is still ALOT to do (raising our girls took financial precedence for a long while)but the process is so fun and there is NO social pressure.
I think making the decision is the hardest part....the rest will fall into place as it comes.And YES, our friends thought (and STILL think) we are nuts.......who cares.WE are happpy.And some of them have followed suit.
The only downside is lots of driving. But you come to organize that. |
Edited by - Fabulous Farm Femmes on Jan 28 2006 9:38:32 PM |
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TejasFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
105 Posts
Dawnn
Bartonville
Texas
USA
105 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2006 : 6:14:18 PM
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| Amen, Diane. |
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**Welcome Wagon: Time to join the party |
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Time to join the party
