And The Decision Was Made

As hard as it was, it had to be made. I'm giving up my part time job at Josh Early to focus on those in my life who need me more. Such a hard thing to do, I've grown so fond of so many of the people at the store that it just hurts so much to say goodbye. I know in my heart it's not goodbye forever, my kids won't let me not stop in to see everyone and get a sample of something, it's like a bad habit you can't break.

There are some customers I will surely miss, and the special little things that Barry and Marcie do for everyone at different times of the year will be missed, but I know deep in my heart it was the best for my family and for my business. I need to focus, focus more on what my business needs and the future of my family.

Yesterday at the store, Barry and Marcie brought in someone who does massages so that the employees could have a few minutes of relaxation during this busy Easter time. It was sweet, not something I would think to take part in, but sweet none the less. Then the special Easter treat every year on the table, it shows just how much they appreciate their employees and it means alot.

When I got home last night, I noticed my paycheck felt different, as I opened it I realized, it's seed time!....I got a pack of sweet pea seeds with this attached to it

Who does that? Takes the time to create that cute card? Made me cry......sure I had
my ups and downs while working there for 2 1/2 years, but they really were some great people to work for. Like my family, they are family owned and operated. They throw a great September picnic to get ready for the holiday season, they support so many organizations, they are never shy about offering what they can and they are big supporters of the womens 5k in October.

I sure am gonna miss the place, the people, the fun times, the busy times and the smell, oh the smell...yeah, I'm gonna have to stop in often just to get that smell......Thank you Josh Early....it's been a great 2 1/2 years......I will surely miss you all

Kudos to Barry, Marcie, Lisa, Bub, Brian, Georgia, Carmen, Val, Nicole, Karen E., Anna, Karen, Sue, Kathy, Dianne, Debbie, Barb, Sandy, Ann, Delores, Laurel, Vicki, Donna, Peggy, Amy, Joy, Mary, Judy, Lilly, Claudia, Janice, Caroline, Joanie, Barb A., Norma (this is bad cause I know I'm missing people)

Life Is Too Short

The past few days I have come to realize that life is way too short to let something stew.

I have been anxious over a decision I plan to make after Easter. Anxious because it will affect some people I have come to care about, but I still need to make the decision.

I spent the past few days visiting my Dad in the hospital. What we thought was a minor infection that could be treated and healed had turned into a heart issue. Heart issues are big deals. Without the heart....what do you have? It's been torment for me the past couple of days. Holding it together for my dad, for my kids, for my coworkers so I can get work done and not let them down. That's a few too many balls to juggle at once.

Dad is home now, I brought him home yesterday. I realized last night that there is no question in my mind what my decision has to be once Easter is over. Life is too short to be preoccupied with unnecessary things, it's time to focus on the people in my life who matter and who need me.

It's going to be a long week, but in the end, it's going to be the right decision. I know that now.

First Day Of Spring!

I must admit, this does not always excite me. I am a Fall/Winter girl for the sole purpose of staying indoors and enjoying our home, our home projects, warm fires, baking, cooking, roasting....I can go on.

Today is different. Today I have new purpose. Yesterday I finally made a decision that was pulling at me for weeks. These types of decisions are hard to make, they will make some happy and some sad, for me, it's who they will make happy that is most important to me, and those two people are my kids. I won't say right now what the decision is, in a few weeks I will open up because I don't want to put anything in jeopardy, but I will say that for the first time, for the first "First" day of Spring, I feel good.

We have been busy on the homestead, Jake more than anybody right now. It's as if he had a vision and all of a sudden became this super handy kid...thank God for that. He has taken down the chicken coop that was crushed by our October snow. It was an eyesore, and a heart sore...but it had to be done. He is also working on little projects, like removing all the wood to heat our home and stacking it and then cleaning off our porch. We have another project in mind that I hope to get his cousin to help us with, a brick patio...I think it will work.
My Emma on the other hand has been busy with many other projects. She just returned from a one night camp stay at Camp Mountain house in South Allentown with her girl scout troop. She had so much fun, but came back with a pretty good sore throat. This wouldn't normally bother us but, she is scheduled to sing in her first talent show this Friday night. She is upset of course, but we are treating it with care in hopes that she feels better. Emma is also currently pursuing her vocal instruction at a local place called The Lesson Center. She has been doing great! She has her first recital on Mother's Day!

Scott and I have been working pretty much over the winter, he works almost 7 nights a week now and I have been doing both jobs pretty steady.

We are now working toward the garden, getting a roto tiller fixed up to use and getting our veggies in the ground.
Gas prices are through the roof so we are not sure how often we will be able to get to Lancaster County right now for our seed starting items...we may have to find our items locally this year.

As a family this year we have decided to participate in the Fresh Air Fund and bring a child from New York to come stay with us for ten days. The kids are excited, especially Jake, as he has been working already on a list of places we can go and things we can do with our new friend when he arrives. A few families from our church are taking part as well so we are all really excited for what is in store.


Until I have more news to update, I will sign off, hope your Easter is enjoyable and that I get back here before Easter!

Let's Try This Again

It's a new year after all, so it should work.

No resolutions for me this year, my new year is starting off with pain, tooth pain, not fun....I'm so not in the mood for any type of resolution, so I'm just going to call this the things I want to try to change for our family.



An awesome link for those wanting to try to be more frugal, and I like her way of thinking when it comes to food storage.

We really need to work on this, well, not me, my other half. He tend to purchase items because they are on sale, not because they are needed.

Hoping this is the beginning of regular posts from me, an update on things happening at our homestead on a regular basis would be great, right? I'm going to try to do that this year, promise.