Okay, dear Friends, you have to click below to read this post because I can't spill my secret right here for just anybody to see. It's just for you....
A friend sent me an email the other day, “I’d be embarrassed to be you. You only have 87 friends! LOL”
LOL? I'm not L-ing OL. That's all I need. One more thing to be self-concious about. It's a good thing she informed me because I had no idea I was hurting on Facebook. 87 friends sounded like a lot to me. But no. My bubble is burst!
It’s that time of the year. Time to assess and resolve.
Tell us about your 2011.
What was your favorite book that you read in 2011? What was some new music that you discovered? What was something new you learned to do? What did you do that you are most proud of? What was something you learned about yourself?
Before I share my answers, let me tell you how excited I am about the start of a new year. I feel that way every single year. Standing there on the threshold of the New Year, I just love to look at all the possibilities. Think about all the things I can accomplish; all the things I can learn.
That's one reason that I don’t go for those electronic calendars for my personal, home calendar. You just can't get that same inspiration and excitement. (At least I can't.) I need colored pens and a pretty calendar.
My Christmas Pajama tradition started here, at maryjanesfarm.com and led me this year to a very interesting place. A place that I need your help with. Big time. But before we talk about that, let's talk about our own childhood Christmases. Do you remember the way you felt as a kid on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning? Do you remember the excitement and joy and hope that filled your heart? Do you still feel that? Do you remember the first time you enjoyed the GIVING more than the GETTING?
Yes, I know. Snow doesn't have an "e" on the end. And sure, it's "for" not "fir."
Funny, my daughter (she's 10) is super-attuned to southern accents; and for some reason, she doesn't want one. (Can you imagine that?) She corrects me on "fir" and also gets me on "dee" for "day," as in Mon-dee. No, no, no, she says. It's "daaaay, not deeeee." And you know what else? She tries NOT to say "y'all." (Whose child is she any way?)
Anyway, I spend my winter in the south dreaming of snow, chanting for snow, dancing for snow. I saw a flurry the other day and was THRILLED!
That was the first prayer my daughter said from her heart. You know, the first one that she hadn’t learned from some one else.
When she said it, I got on to her. “Go on....you're not done. You need to do better. Name the people and things you’re thankful for. Tell the good Lord your petitions. Give more details.” I thought she was being a lazy pray-er.
Now I realize how perfect her prayer really was. “Thank you for everything.” No begging, no whining, no complaining, no asking. Just a big, fat thank you. For all of it.
This is a two-fer. Two-fer-one. Two totally unrelated topics, squished together in one post.
Topic Number One. Family. What does your family mean to you? Who do you include in the definition of family? And here's the big question of the day: What do YOU do to nurture your family bond?
I came to the conclusion this week that each family member has a job, a duty. And that's to nurture the family bond.
But the thing I haven't figured out is how to do that. We all know that a family is what you make it, right? But specifically. Exactly. Precisely. What? What does each member need to do to help it along?
It is that time of year. Orange and black. Skeletons. Candy corns. Witches. Goblins. And ghosts. Or "haints" as the some old-timer southerners call them.
You scared of ghosts? No me. "I ain't scared of no haints." Ain't. Haint.
But you know what has always kinda scared me? I mean besides snakes. Ouija Boards. It seems like at every slumber party I went to as a kid, somebody brought out an Ouija Board. And I just never knew for sure. Was somebody moving it? Or was it a SPIRIT? Creepy. Did you have one as a kid? Leave a comment and let us know what you think about the Ouija.
Yes...yes, it was. The Creative Connection Event was indeed wonderful. I enjoyed absolutely everything about it. One of my favorite parts was getting to visit with MaryJane. Could I love her any more than I do? Nope, I don't see how. She is everything you think she is, and more. And Meg is as precious as she seems. I was so happy to finally meet her. She's a doll.
And you wouldn't believe the creative talent and energy buzzing around the room. Such remarkable women. But, you know the thing I liked the most about attending?
Listening.
I sat back and listened intently to all the stories the women there shared with me. Treasures.
Rebekah Teal
is a "MaryJane Farmgirl" who lives in a large metropolitan area. She is a lawyer who has worked in both criminal defense and prosecution. She has been a judge, a business woman and a stay-at-home mom. In addition to her law degree, she has a Masters of Theological Studies.
"Mustering up the courage to do the things you dream about," she says, "is the essence of being a MaryJane Farmgirl." Learning to live more organically and closer to nature is Rebekah's current pursuit. She finds strength and encouragement through MaryJane's writings, life, and products. And MaryJane's Farmgirl Connection provides her a wealth of knowledge from true-blue farmgirls.
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