Gettin' Dirty

They say that if you don't use it, you lose it. And it is true in some circumstances, but somethings are burned so deep into your memory, that forgetting them would be like forgetting your name.

My Summers through college and even a year after college, were spent working for my dad's lawn care company. My first Summer working for them, let's just say....boy, oh boy. I was lower than the lowest on the totem pole. I didn't know ANYTHING about ANYTHING when it came to lawn care. My dad has been doing this for as long as I can remember and I never once, up until day 1 of work, paid any attention to those stripes in the yard.

 I can honestly say I thought to myself, 'How hard could this be? Riding a lawn mower all day.' By mid-morning I remember thinking, I need a break, or water, or lunch, or a shift change. ASAP!

Without saying, it was not the most glamorous of jobs for a 19-24 year old girl. I was naive to the idea of heat, allergies, scalp sunburns, and using a filthy dirty sleeve to wipe the sweat from my face before eating lunch.  I was unprepared for the look-there's-a-girl-doing-the-same-job-I-am stares from some very small minded men in other companies. And, good luck finding a bathroom!

But, I am SO grateful that he hired me.

Here's why.

Tonight, I got to do something I haven't done in a few years now. I did yucky, labor-some yard work. Raking and leveling out dusty gravel, lopping off tree limbs, throwing heavy logs and limbs in the brush, and clearing a path in the woods for the Bobcat to do its thing.

It was tiring and hot. But as I was climbing the hill back to the house, I thought to myself, I miss this work.

After that first Summer of working for my dad, I went back to school with a knowledge that no other female friend of mine had. I learned how to start and run a commercial zero-turn mower. I learned how to re-string a weed eater and sharpen blades. I learned how to drive a truck and trailer, a dump truck, and how to back them both up. I learned how to change the oil in trucks. I learned how to leave a yard looking great and not spending all day to do it. I learned how to use chain saws and hedge trimmers (and learned to keep them away from my knees, too). I learned to drive a Bobcat and a tractor. And, I learned the value of water-proof boots!

Really, what my dad may not be aware of, is that he taught me skills that if I had to do use them today on my own, I could. He built confidence in me that can NEVER be taken away. He opened my eyes that this is a tough job, but some of the toughest lessons are the one's you'll learn the most from.

Wouldn't mind a day, or two, doing it again....


....but I sure do love my access to indoor plumbing...

Long Over Due

I know we have all used that line, "Time just flies by," and I'm going to use that now. TIME JUST FLIES BY!!!

No, I didn't not want to write. I just didn't make the time, or maybe I had blogger's-block. Whatever the reason, I am back! :)

I don't have a huge following of readers, but I do have loyal ones and because of them, I had stored in the back of my mind, "Sarah, you better write something!" So, I received a couple of request of blog topics: Chicken Salad and The Slowness of Summer.

Two seemingly un-challenging topics, so maybe, just maybe, I can combine the two.....here goes nothin'!

Chicken Salad:
This request came from my dad. Now, I'm suspecting this idea came from a humorous (maybe a little twisted) thought. See, about 2+ months ago, Fred and I became chicken guardians. 6 hens now call Fredsland Ridge home.

Their names are Shirley, Toby, Tuxedos, Georgia, Franco, and Haley. Interesting creatures, chickens are. Well, our chickens will be for eggs only. That is unless, one of them doesn't produce or ends up being a chicken-cannibal then we will delight ourselves in some, should I say, chicken salad.

But the on-going joke between my family and I are that every time we eat chicken, I am asked, "Did one of your chickens not produce well?" or "Did you kill this chicken this morning?" So, do you see where I think the 'Chicken Salad' request came from?

Here is my tried and true recipe for Chicken Salad. Yes, I know everyone has their version, but I like mine....Sorry no measurements...I eyeball and make-to-taste everything.

Homemade Chicken Salad

Chilled Cooked Chicken Breast (Make anyway you prefer. I like mine seasoned and grilled. Others will just boil)
1 part Miracle Whip with 1 part Real Mayonnaise
Grapes, halved
Celery leaves and celery heart chopped (I like these because they are softer and don't have too much crunch but still have the same great celery flavor)
Generous amount of salt and pepper
Combine all ingredients. Chill for about 30 minutes. Enjoy!

Now that you have your chicken salad, a glass of sweet iced tea in a mason jar, and your sunglasses, lets enjoy the slowness of summer! (request from my mom!)

Even, the word 'summer' has a laid back sound to it. It's the easy-peasy season. I'm sure I'm not the only one who reminisces about long Summer vacations, the care-free attitude of life, and ride-with-your-windows-down kinda style. I think the one's who explain it best are DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince in 'Summertime' Go ahead. You know you want to listen to it. Hell, play it a couple of times. Let your friends enjoy it. Have a mini-dance party at your computer! It's Summertime!

"Summer, summer, summertime. Time to sit back and unwind."

Chicken Salad and Summer....what a perfect pair! ;)

Snow Baby!

I just can't help it. I. Love. Snow.

Period.

End of discussion!

Here's why:
1. It is a buffer for noise. It makes the world much more quiet.....awwww....silence.....
2. Life slows down. No one wants to get out in the cold. Forget about driving. We are staying home.
3. Two words: Snow angels.
4. Throwing snow balls for Captain. He can't find them. (because they're white on white)
Hi-lar-i-ous!
5. Playing with the dogs. While I make snow angels, 3 dogs trample me.
6. We live in the country which means many photo ops! Please see below.

Our boys!

Rosemary still thriving through the cold.

(I think I can say my pepper plant is done.)

My piggy bench.

Happy Winter Everyone!

Toy Shopping

“Toys simply make life more fun!”



Opening their gift certificates to a toy store, as a Christmas gift, my 7 year old niece said, "That's nice, but what comes with it?"

WHAT?!?!?! What comes with it? You know what comes with it? You get to experience toy shopping all for yourself. Rummaging through all the store as to offer, learning lessons of having options and choosing which toys are right for you with the amount of money you have, budgeting, purchasing, taxes, the whoas of other shoppers....I mean it'll be FUN!!!!!

OK I know receiving a piece of paper for Christmas is not the most wanted gift for a 5 and 7 year old, but maybe the memory of shopping for their own toys might make it a Christmas-break worth remembering....at least as an aunt that's what I hope for....awww I can only dream.

Here's how it went.....



We are ready to SHOP!!!!



Running to the next toy, then the next, then the next...



Hmmm this would be nice, but so would this...



Hi guys!



Outfits for Barbie is worth considering.



What have I here????



BARBIE!!!!!!!!



YES!! THAT'S IT!!!! ART SUPPLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Getting a great lesson in shopping, budgeting, paying....



and HAVING FUN!!!!!

 

I am VERY proud of my nieces! They did great picking out toys they wanted in the price point they were given.  I hope they had as much fun today as I did!  

New Tradition

A new chapter, or maybe tradition, has been placed before us to either continue on with, or simple let pass. I felt like taking hold of that tradition and carry it forward. See, Shawn lost his dad, Charlie, 17 years ago. Every year, Shawn's mom, like clock work, would place a wreath at Charlie's headstone for Christmas. Since she is now in a nursing home, someone needed to do it. Like a school girl waving her hand with excitement, I wanted Shawn and I to be the ones to do it.

From the store to home, the smell of cedar and fir engulfed my car. Goose bumps ran up my back at the thought of this wreath going to its final placement, taking the same path Charlie did. It road in the back seat of my car, from LaGrange to Smithfield. Strong and beautiful.

A cold, dreary December day has been turned into one filled with warm thoughts and love....meant to be carried on....

Charlie,

I am told many stories about you. Some crazy and wild, but all of them nice. I think we would have gotten along very well had we met. You would be very proud of everything Shawn has accomplished, and even more proud of the way he does what's right even when it's hard. I look forward to that day when I can hug you and say, "Thank you for raising a good man!"

Merry Christmas, Charlie.

Your daughter-in-law,
Sarah

HOLD ON!

On my way home from a tough workout today, I had the realization that life is very similar to working out with friends.

Today, in particular, was a reminder that when times get hard, or challenging, we need someone or multiple someones to cheer you on with, "You're doing great!"

Something so simple as, "Push through this" is all we need to get the job done. Through the burn, we know that we'll have a great support group that helps us finish what we've started.

Life will ALWAYS throw us curve balls, (or pelt them at us). It's relying on those around us to help us put one foot in front of the other. Keep your head held high, because everyone goes through these gut wrenching times. Have faith that you are exactly where you are meant to be and listen to your cheerleaders around you saying, "You've got this."

So when life is difficult and hair-pulling worthy, HOLD ON! You'll get through it! Change is only accomplished when you push beyond what you thought you couldn't handle. Grab hold to the tough experiences in life/ in the gym because you are growing....strong, confident, and tough!

Fall

“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.”
― Henry David Thoreau

Many Autumns, Shawn and I enjoy hiking and exploring. This picture was taken from Natural Bridge.

I will never forget the first time I really smelt Fall. That distinct, musky aroma that a change is occurring.  A passing of a season.

It was a late Saturday night, arriving home from college after a game. The two hour drive I knew I was looking forward to time spent with the family, and just being someplace a little more familiar, but what I got when I arrived I didn't know I was really needing. I was in my early twenties. Yes, even though I grew up in this very same location, the smell of Fall didn't get my attention until I was twenty-something. 

It was dark, cool, and the sky clear. As I stepped out of my car I wasn't anticipating being greeted by this scent. But the smell came rushing up to me, like a long lost friend. I remembering standing there in the dark, taking a deep breathe, as if I was trying to fill my body with it. I wanted to take in all I could. I didn't even know I was missing it/ wanting it/ needing it. A peaceful thought came to me, I was home. 

Ever since then, when Autumn comes around, I take time to search out that same smell. I'll walk through the woods or through the fields, and once again take in a deep breathe. Filling up my lungs. I find myself taking a moment to say thank you for this season. Like it, I must change, die, and be made new again. Appreciating, that yes, I am home.