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**Welcome Wagon:  "Farm-Challenged" Chick from CA  |
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Frankenblonde
Farmgirl in Training
28 Posts
Courtland
CA
USA
28 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 12 2006 : 12:31:25 AM
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Hi! My name is Tamara, and I am not your typical farm girl.
For the most part, my childhood was spent on a ranch in Northern California. I loved it! The dirt, the cows, the fresh air... Then I left for marriage, college, adventure ~ and the city life took hold of me.
Many years later (and a few novels-worth of escapades), I have returned to dwell in the country. We have been city-free for a year and a half now ~ yea! My husband, 3 children and I live in an old cottage on 73 acres, and most of the land is just dirt (actually mud) right now. We have one cat, one dog, and one Holstein bull calf ~ all are sweet pets. A couple years ago, I worked as an Executive Secretary for the Sheriff's Department in downtown Sacramento, and yes I was (and still am) addicted to Starbucks, but now I get to work at home as a Domestic Engineer.  Problem is, as much as my husband and I love the country and want to work the land, we are still struggling to “get our farm thing on.”
Growing up on a ranch, you’d think I’d be a natural farm girl, but apparently as a grown woman I’m “farm-challenged”! Tried to sew a dress, but it’s crooked… Tried cooking from scratch but better at nuking by microwave… Tried to grow a garden but giant weeds took over… Get the picture? I did, however, manage to birth my third child here at home, but I don’t think I’ll make homebirth a hobby! 
Hobbies I do enjoy are reading (Bible, mysteries, self-help, country magazines), sewing crafts, gardening flowers, welding sculptures, drawing cartoons, painting anything and making crafts of any kind. I like to make projects with my kids (ages 12, 6 and 1) and I like to walk around our land and just enjoy our Lord’s creation. Just listening to the breeze in the tree tops brings me joy (that is why we moved out here!).
I really want my family to benefit from our country life-style, and I desperately want us all to thrive in our new home. Please, if anyone has any helpful tips for a “farm-challenged” chick, help me out! Also, it gets lonesome out here without many neighbors or co-workers chatting around the water cooler, so a little "Hello out there!" is also welcome. 
I have to say, it’s always a pleasure to visit Mary Jane’s site. I heard about it from a show on PBS called America’s Heartland, and I’ve been enamored by it ever since! Thanks, Mary Jane and all you farm girls, for such heart-warming conversations and ideas.
Wow, this turned out much longer than I expected. 
Thanks for your time, and write me soon! heehee
~ Tamara
“Always know in your heart that you are far bigger than anything that can happen to you.”
- Dan Zadra, Chicken Soup for the Country Soul |
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LadyCrystal
True Blue Farmgirl
593 Posts
Alicia
Rhode Island
USA
593 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2006 : 05:22:33 AM
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Welcome Tamara,
I was raised in the city.I read any books I can get my hands on.I learned a lot from trial and error.This list is a great way to get info also.Good luck and Welcome again,
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
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The Farmers Daughter
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Sherry
LeRoy
Kansas
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2006 : 06:14:38 AM
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Tamara, your not challenged...You just adjusting to a new life style! I was born and raised on a farm as my parents are farmers! To be honest, most of what I have learned has been through trial and error since we moved on our on little farm! Read what you can but for the most part follow nature and do the things you love. By doing what you love and "trying" new things, you'll soon find yourself an old farm gal who can give advise to others. ;-) As for missing other adults to talk to...I've found the Internet to be the very best place to meet other gals who share my interest. While we may not be able to go shopping with them, they love the same things we do and are always there for us. If your really lonely, drop me a note and I'll tell you about my life (Mom to eight, opening my own vintage junk shop and we're now building a little get-away cabin back of our house!!) and you'll suddenly feel a lot better about yours! HA Hugs and Blessings,
Sher, The Farmer's Daughter |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9094 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9094 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2006 : 07:21:55 AM
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Tamara
I too grew up and a farm, but the most part since then have lived with other houses about, which I must say took some getting used to, still working on that.
Anyway,lucky you to go back to the land! I would like to do most of what you are saying EXCEPT that part about having the baby, might have to reveiw my options on that.
you will find lots of help from all these girls, and lots of ideas. So keep going forward you will be fine.
Nancy Jo |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2006 : 12:07:35 PM
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Welcome Tamera...You sound great..and I bet we can all learn stuff from you..homebirth...I can tell you are braver than me right there!!! I am glad you found us!
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Feb 13 2006 : 04:40:20 AM
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Tamara...WELCOME!!! WOW! You sure could fill a few novels with your adventures. I can't wait to hear more. You had me giggling during your tale of sewing, cooking and gardening. I totally lost it at the home birth statement....I, too, home birthed and although I would do it again I don't think I'd make it hobby!!
It sounds like your land is beautiful....mud and all.
Blessings
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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WednesdaysChild
Farmgirl in Training
33 Posts
Mandy
Suncheon
Korea
33 Posts |
Posted - Feb 13 2006 : 08:12:11 AM
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Welcome Tamara! A lady of so many talents such as yourself is sure to catch on to everything in good time. Half the battle is in the mind. I personally have a motto that "I refuse to be defeated by anything inanimate!".. or intangible... (including weeds, although of course they are animate, but you get the idea). Women have been tilling the earth with their families since Genesis... you'll connect to your inner-ranch-child soon enough!
Mandy
A Canadian farmgirl in South Korea. |
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CountryGirl85
True Blue Farmgirl
225 Posts
Laura
Oswego
IL
USA
225 Posts |
Posted - Feb 13 2006 : 9:41:04 PM
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Hey Tamara!
I feel farm-challenged at times, too, but I just keep on truckin'! I have to rip seams out multiple times before I get it right, I make bread that's either too squishy or hard as a rock, my garden is full of weeds, but it all takes practice and time to get things right. Rome wasn't built in a day! But I love all those things and I'm passionate about living a simpler country lifestyle. The expertise will come in time! We're all here to support each other and the ladies on this site are a constant source of inspiration! It's nice to meet you!
Much love,
Laura |
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lonestargal
True Blue Farmgirl
607 Posts
Kristi
Texas
607 Posts |
Posted - Feb 14 2006 : 06:01:41 AM
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Hi Tamara and welcome to MJF!! I don't think your challenged at all, just need practice like any of us here. We call ourselves farmgirls but that doesn't mean that we are good at every task. I, for instance, don't even know how to sew so your a step ahead of me . I can grow tomatoes but grow weeds even better and some of my other plants don't do well at all. This year I'm completely redoing my garden and hopefully will do better. Baking bread is not exactly my strong point either. I either just flat out burn it or it's so dense and disgusting that even my dog won't eat it (and he's a garbage disposal). I keep trying though and one day I'll find the right recipe.
My point is don't give up and don't feel challenged just keep at it and if you have any questions at all just ask. The ladies here are all so wonderful and whatever your dilema is, I'm sure one of us has gone through it and can offer suggestions!!! |
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dairygirl87
Farmgirl in Training
22 Posts
Laura Ann
Clarence
New York
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - Feb 14 2006 : 6:59:15 PM
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Well sounds like you're getting your act together...I wish you the best!! God Bless!
-Laura Ann
"No race can prosper until it learns there is as much dignity in tilling a field as there is in writing a poem..." |
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Frankenblonde
Farmgirl in Training
28 Posts
Courtland
CA
USA
28 Posts |
Posted - Feb 24 2006 : 08:06:02 AM
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Good to know I'm just in need of practice! Thank you all for being so nice and positive. I find these forums very helpful, as well as comforting.
~ Tamara
“Always know in your heart that you are far bigger than anything that can happen to you.”
~ Dan Zadra, Chicken Soup for the Country Soul
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**Welcome Wagon: "Farm-Challenged" Chick from CA |
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"Farm-Challenged" Chick from CA
