You're thinking right along the lines of what we've thought about too and we've pursued a lot of those avenues that have sadly come up as dead ends. But! We're onto some solutions for this coming year and I had a really productive call earlier this week for a partnership for the farm that we'll get a lease in place for this coming week along with a few other opportunities I've been socializing here locally that should hopefully turn into something wonderful. More to come!
Thanks for another great note Sarah. Gosh, things have been/are tough. It sounds like there's a spark of light at the end of the tunnel now though (at least 3 minutes extra every day 😂). I was just reading about self compassion and how its important to keep exercising it regularly so it can be resiliently there when you particularly need to call on it. It made me think of your book and all the wise words you have shared with us here. That feels like a very strong and resilient foundation that you have built. Likewise with your fitness and nutrition. Even though it might feel like all that is swept away in difficult times, I think its reassuring to think that its still there, giving support. I hope you can feel the strength from within during these challenging days and give yourself some compassion too. For the days when that's too hard, don't forget the community here is rooting for you and you can call on that strength any time you need xxx
Thank you, Sarah. I love the note about self-compassion. I spent my evenings winding down this last week learning about the nervous system...how to spot dysregulation and how to re-regulate. Turns out in our modern lives we're really good at exercising the autonomic system--the one that controls fight or flight, but not so good at exercising the parasympathetic system--the one that controls rest and digest. So, like any good strength program, I've now got a few exercises to strengthen that parasympathetic system so that a state of calm is a more natural response given lots of our modern day stressors. I'm very much focused on taking care of ME right now, but in the back of my mind is how to turn around and share all these incredible things I'm learning so that it may be of help to others in their day to day lives and in their healing.
Thanks Sarah. That's so interesting. I'll definitely go away and look that up. I imagine a lot of us struggle with dysregulation in one form or another (or many forms!) and our systems are truly being tested right now. I'm sure your insights will be very much appreciated when you feel ready to share them. In the meantime, absolutely focus on taking care yourself. As they say, put on your own oxygen mask first xxx
Sarah, while we love or I should say I love the animals and pictures of your beautiful farm, it’s you that I enjoy hearing from! Your laugh and smile around your cats and donkeys. The chickens 🐓 too! I can see how happy Chris makes you as well! Don’t forget writing book 2! We all look forward to hearing some of your ideas for the future. Thank you so much for sharing some of your life with us! Praying for you!🙏🏻❤️
Thank you for another encouraging farm note. I continue to hold you, Chris, the furmers, and Dominic and Molly Max close to my heart. Please continue to take care of yourself. You are dearly loved ❤️
Sarah. I am so sorry for everything you are going through. It is so frustrating to be held back by pain and illness and the realization that we can no longer do things we want to do. Worrying about job security doesn't help. I can relate to all of these things. Getting away and clearing your head was the best thing. We are all pulling for you
Thank you Dolores - it has definitely given me a wholly different perspective on just about everything. Maybe it's more of a wake up call than anything. Fortunate it's not worse. Thank you for your concern and kindness.
I’m so happy to hear you’re feeling like yourself again! You “practiced what you’ve preached”! 😊 Keep going that route.
As far as busting your butt on the farm, can you possibly just enjoy what you & Chris have done since moving to LDF? Plant some perennials here & there, annuals in the pots on the porch? Take time this year to breathe & enjoy all your hard work.
I must say, I’m excited to hear about the possibilities you have for the farm too!
I’m sending big hugs to you, Chris, the boys, the chickies & kitties! Keep your chin up, Sarah. Sit quietly…and listen.
I'm actually thinking about passing on almost all the porch annuals this year and focusing just on our fruit/veggie garden and the dahlia patch - I'll fill you in when the plan is in motion! Goal being to do much of nothing outside except mow and maintain.
My wife, Brenda always says it so well (I’m lucky man) ❤️ My best wishes are for you and Chris to continue your momentum forward, mentally and physically. I have strong feelings your intelligence, teamwork, and love will lead you to best solutions. You guys have what it takes to get thru valleys, even when they last too dang long. Your bond is your gold. Stay strong 💪 Btw…I adore your toughness, heart, and love for animals.
Sarah, So relieved as well to read this. Your words are poignant and uplifting- there is Always another approach to a difficult situation- and it almost Always gets better/improves for the good! I(we all) are right here with you-and Chris- and the furmily on the Farm. It's so very good to take a step back and regroup- I believe you're on to something about the Farm being a better, at least less intense a Steward to it's keeper. Kisses and hugs to all the kitties(esp BK), the chickens, and the precious donkeys- and of course, you too.
I keep trying to remind myself this farm has been here long long long before us and hopefully will be long long long after we're gone. Maybe I've just been trying too hard all along when what the farm is teaching me over and over and over again is something I keep trying to practice in my life: allow.
We HAVE to take care of ourselves first. We HAVE to be our own best advocate. And we also HAVE to make ZERO excuses to anyone. We do not have a big red "S" on our chests and it does not show a sign of weakness to ask for help. We are not 16 any more. Some of us are on Social Security! WE may have the bull by the horns, but now what do we do with him?!
Sending you a hug of support as you navigate this brave new phase in your life, Sarah.
Sue I LOVE this! Even if I've felt miserable and depressed and down and hopeless I've still been showing up every day to put in the effort to make my situation better. It's so hard to do when you're really down, but necessary to keep on keeping on.
Thank you for this beautifull and difficult story. I can feel somes of the things you talk about, I have MS and i took me a few years to get everything in order.
Karin I can only imagine - sometimes just figuring out what doesn't feel right can take so long and then figuring out how to get the right care and manage symptoms is even harder. This process has taught me a lot about our medical system and how difficult it is to get answers/support/care in its current state. I hope you've been able to find great support and care as you've navigated your own journey.
Sara, sorry you are going through so much and all at the same time, especially with so much pain. That’s makes anything twice as bad. I think what I have loved most from your posts is just you interacting with the kitties, donkeys and chickens. I’ve loved your food blogs as your meals look so wonderful and I’ve always loved your “words of wisdom.” I can see another book in your future. Gardening can be something fun to do and all your flowers have been just gorgeous, but I have to admit all that work you were doing was over the top for me and I kept thinking how exhausting that had to have been. We have a 5 acre farm and when we first moved in, I was planting stuff all over the place, but it was hard work and hard to keep up with everything. Now years later, I just buy some hanging baskets for color and plant a couple of pots with flowers. We also have stopped mowing some of our fields and have let them go back to being wild as I read an article about how much this helps the environment and nature and is one more job we don’t have to do. I’ve always just wanted to plant a whole field with wildflowers to enjoy. You need some time for yourself everyday to just sit back and enjoy your beautiful farm. It’s the little things in life that matter. Hope you’re feeling better soon. 🙏❤️
Blanche - I think that's the thing we really learned overall...how exhausting it all is to keep up with it year round. It's a little easier in the winter, or maybe just different in terms of the animals needs and the chores, but this year I don't even think I'm going to bother with pots and baskets and annuals at all...maybe just the fruit/veggie garden and the dahlia patch with hopefully some help, I'll fill you in when we make the plan!
More light is always better for the body. Chronic illness is difficult and when you are a go-getter, it's hard to pay attention to the signs. I have disc issues, degenerative and trauma. I have some fusions and other surgeries. Disc problems generally lead to nerve damage. When nerve pain starts, you are forced to take a step back and re-evaluate. I'm a Jesus follower and I could NOT get through every day without His grace and mercy. I'm happy 😊 to hear you being a bit more up and giving yourself grace. I'm praying for you, Sarah. You are a gem. 🥰
Thank you thank you and I'm sorry to hear you've dealt with these issues...it's really no joke and my mom had surgery for herniated discs when we were all really little - can't imagine having four little ones and dealing with back issues as bad as hers were. The not being able to be a go-getter has been the hardest part for me to handle mentally. I feel like I'm not myself and can't be myself.
You're still you, Sarah. You are doing the right thing by realizing you need to make changes now. Healthy ones. I was never good to my body and now I'm 59 and trying to adjust my direction toward healthier living. I went on an exercise mission last fall, mainly walking,doing major projects around the house. My body rebelled big time. The impact of hoofing it affected my back and nerves, the lifting flared up my cervical disc's and compressed nerves. That is also when I found out my thoracic spine had issues as well. The nerve pain in my shoulders and arms to the numbness in the hands was out of control. I ended up in the hospital. Much to my dismay, epidural steroid injections give me some relief and I'm ok with that. Let yourself be okay. You are such a beautiful person, no matter what. 🥰
I've just finished your 3 week "journey" and I'm grateful to you for sharing. When I was working I had to learn how to travel and traipse all over military fuel installations with my herniated disks. You truly have to learn how to listen to your body's signals. I'm getting better, but I've had times when I was stubborn and paid the price for overdoing things.
Hopefully your solution will give you less stress and more peace. I can't wait for next week's episode!
Nooo I hate hearing that for you - I've had so many conversations about disc issues lately and truly I feel like it's hard to fully understand the pain and agony until you experience it. Both my mom and dad always had back issues...it's really something we've got to keep up with! The PT and ortho specialist feel like I should recover really well but they've made it very clear I've got to pull back on my normal way of doing things and focus on strength and the PT exercises to get there. I'm committed to that because I can't imagine this getting any worse! Thanks for reading and for your comment. I feel for ya!
Glad you've had time to relax some and think about solutions. I hope first that your health will continue to improve. I'd hate the thought of you not being in a place to have Max and Dominic..whether it's this farm or not. I hope it will all work out for you.
I’m so sorry about your health issues and don’t know how you have managed to do everything! I’ve been following you since I first saw Mr. B in Parade magazine. (I still miss him and remember that precious face 😻.)
You are such an inspiration! I know you and Chris will make the best decisions for your future. Sending prayers for your healing. ❤️🙏🏻
Have you thought of inviting students from farming colleges to do internships/ get hands on experience to help you out? Just a thought
You're thinking right along the lines of what we've thought about too and we've pursued a lot of those avenues that have sadly come up as dead ends. But! We're onto some solutions for this coming year and I had a really productive call earlier this week for a partnership for the farm that we'll get a lease in place for this coming week along with a few other opportunities I've been socializing here locally that should hopefully turn into something wonderful. More to come!
Thanks for another great note Sarah. Gosh, things have been/are tough. It sounds like there's a spark of light at the end of the tunnel now though (at least 3 minutes extra every day 😂). I was just reading about self compassion and how its important to keep exercising it regularly so it can be resiliently there when you particularly need to call on it. It made me think of your book and all the wise words you have shared with us here. That feels like a very strong and resilient foundation that you have built. Likewise with your fitness and nutrition. Even though it might feel like all that is swept away in difficult times, I think its reassuring to think that its still there, giving support. I hope you can feel the strength from within during these challenging days and give yourself some compassion too. For the days when that's too hard, don't forget the community here is rooting for you and you can call on that strength any time you need xxx
Thank you, Sarah. I love the note about self-compassion. I spent my evenings winding down this last week learning about the nervous system...how to spot dysregulation and how to re-regulate. Turns out in our modern lives we're really good at exercising the autonomic system--the one that controls fight or flight, but not so good at exercising the parasympathetic system--the one that controls rest and digest. So, like any good strength program, I've now got a few exercises to strengthen that parasympathetic system so that a state of calm is a more natural response given lots of our modern day stressors. I'm very much focused on taking care of ME right now, but in the back of my mind is how to turn around and share all these incredible things I'm learning so that it may be of help to others in their day to day lives and in their healing.
Thanks Sarah. That's so interesting. I'll definitely go away and look that up. I imagine a lot of us struggle with dysregulation in one form or another (or many forms!) and our systems are truly being tested right now. I'm sure your insights will be very much appreciated when you feel ready to share them. In the meantime, absolutely focus on taking care yourself. As they say, put on your own oxygen mask first xxx
Sarah, while we love or I should say I love the animals and pictures of your beautiful farm, it’s you that I enjoy hearing from! Your laugh and smile around your cats and donkeys. The chickens 🐓 too! I can see how happy Chris makes you as well! Don’t forget writing book 2! We all look forward to hearing some of your ideas for the future. Thank you so much for sharing some of your life with us! Praying for you!🙏🏻❤️
This is so incredibly kind Amy. Thank you.
Thank you for another encouraging farm note. I continue to hold you, Chris, the furmers, and Dominic and Molly Max close to my heart. Please continue to take care of yourself. You are dearly loved ❤️
Thank you Jan for such a sweet note!!!
Sarah. I am so sorry for everything you are going through. It is so frustrating to be held back by pain and illness and the realization that we can no longer do things we want to do. Worrying about job security doesn't help. I can relate to all of these things. Getting away and clearing your head was the best thing. We are all pulling for you
You've got this!!
Thank you Dolores - it has definitely given me a wholly different perspective on just about everything. Maybe it's more of a wake up call than anything. Fortunate it's not worse. Thank you for your concern and kindness.
I’m so happy to hear you’re feeling like yourself again! You “practiced what you’ve preached”! 😊 Keep going that route.
As far as busting your butt on the farm, can you possibly just enjoy what you & Chris have done since moving to LDF? Plant some perennials here & there, annuals in the pots on the porch? Take time this year to breathe & enjoy all your hard work.
I must say, I’m excited to hear about the possibilities you have for the farm too!
I’m sending big hugs to you, Chris, the boys, the chickies & kitties! Keep your chin up, Sarah. Sit quietly…and listen.
Love ya, Brenda
I'm actually thinking about passing on almost all the porch annuals this year and focusing just on our fruit/veggie garden and the dahlia patch - I'll fill you in when the plan is in motion! Goal being to do much of nothing outside except mow and maintain.
My wife, Brenda always says it so well (I’m lucky man) ❤️ My best wishes are for you and Chris to continue your momentum forward, mentally and physically. I have strong feelings your intelligence, teamwork, and love will lead you to best solutions. You guys have what it takes to get thru valleys, even when they last too dang long. Your bond is your gold. Stay strong 💪 Btw…I adore your toughness, heart, and love for animals.
Sarah, So relieved as well to read this. Your words are poignant and uplifting- there is Always another approach to a difficult situation- and it almost Always gets better/improves for the good! I(we all) are right here with you-and Chris- and the furmily on the Farm. It's so very good to take a step back and regroup- I believe you're on to something about the Farm being a better, at least less intense a Steward to it's keeper. Kisses and hugs to all the kitties(esp BK), the chickens, and the precious donkeys- and of course, you too.
I keep trying to remind myself this farm has been here long long long before us and hopefully will be long long long after we're gone. Maybe I've just been trying too hard all along when what the farm is teaching me over and over and over again is something I keep trying to practice in my life: allow.
We HAVE to take care of ourselves first. We HAVE to be our own best advocate. And we also HAVE to make ZERO excuses to anyone. We do not have a big red "S" on our chests and it does not show a sign of weakness to ask for help. We are not 16 any more. Some of us are on Social Security! WE may have the bull by the horns, but now what do we do with him?!
Sending you a hug of support as you navigate this brave new phase in your life, Sarah.
Sue I LOVE this! Even if I've felt miserable and depressed and down and hopeless I've still been showing up every day to put in the effort to make my situation better. It's so hard to do when you're really down, but necessary to keep on keeping on.
Thank you for this beautifull and difficult story. I can feel somes of the things you talk about, I have MS and i took me a few years to get everything in order.
Good luck with your yourney.
Karin I can only imagine - sometimes just figuring out what doesn't feel right can take so long and then figuring out how to get the right care and manage symptoms is even harder. This process has taught me a lot about our medical system and how difficult it is to get answers/support/care in its current state. I hope you've been able to find great support and care as you've navigated your own journey.
All so true!!
Sara, sorry you are going through so much and all at the same time, especially with so much pain. That’s makes anything twice as bad. I think what I have loved most from your posts is just you interacting with the kitties, donkeys and chickens. I’ve loved your food blogs as your meals look so wonderful and I’ve always loved your “words of wisdom.” I can see another book in your future. Gardening can be something fun to do and all your flowers have been just gorgeous, but I have to admit all that work you were doing was over the top for me and I kept thinking how exhausting that had to have been. We have a 5 acre farm and when we first moved in, I was planting stuff all over the place, but it was hard work and hard to keep up with everything. Now years later, I just buy some hanging baskets for color and plant a couple of pots with flowers. We also have stopped mowing some of our fields and have let them go back to being wild as I read an article about how much this helps the environment and nature and is one more job we don’t have to do. I’ve always just wanted to plant a whole field with wildflowers to enjoy. You need some time for yourself everyday to just sit back and enjoy your beautiful farm. It’s the little things in life that matter. Hope you’re feeling better soon. 🙏❤️
Blanche - I think that's the thing we really learned overall...how exhausting it all is to keep up with it year round. It's a little easier in the winter, or maybe just different in terms of the animals needs and the chores, but this year I don't even think I'm going to bother with pots and baskets and annuals at all...maybe just the fruit/veggie garden and the dahlia patch with hopefully some help, I'll fill you in when we make the plan!
More light is always better for the body. Chronic illness is difficult and when you are a go-getter, it's hard to pay attention to the signs. I have disc issues, degenerative and trauma. I have some fusions and other surgeries. Disc problems generally lead to nerve damage. When nerve pain starts, you are forced to take a step back and re-evaluate. I'm a Jesus follower and I could NOT get through every day without His grace and mercy. I'm happy 😊 to hear you being a bit more up and giving yourself grace. I'm praying for you, Sarah. You are a gem. 🥰
Thank you thank you and I'm sorry to hear you've dealt with these issues...it's really no joke and my mom had surgery for herniated discs when we were all really little - can't imagine having four little ones and dealing with back issues as bad as hers were. The not being able to be a go-getter has been the hardest part for me to handle mentally. I feel like I'm not myself and can't be myself.
You're still you, Sarah. You are doing the right thing by realizing you need to make changes now. Healthy ones. I was never good to my body and now I'm 59 and trying to adjust my direction toward healthier living. I went on an exercise mission last fall, mainly walking,doing major projects around the house. My body rebelled big time. The impact of hoofing it affected my back and nerves, the lifting flared up my cervical disc's and compressed nerves. That is also when I found out my thoracic spine had issues as well. The nerve pain in my shoulders and arms to the numbness in the hands was out of control. I ended up in the hospital. Much to my dismay, epidural steroid injections give me some relief and I'm ok with that. Let yourself be okay. You are such a beautiful person, no matter what. 🥰
I've just finished your 3 week "journey" and I'm grateful to you for sharing. When I was working I had to learn how to travel and traipse all over military fuel installations with my herniated disks. You truly have to learn how to listen to your body's signals. I'm getting better, but I've had times when I was stubborn and paid the price for overdoing things.
Hopefully your solution will give you less stress and more peace. I can't wait for next week's episode!
Nooo I hate hearing that for you - I've had so many conversations about disc issues lately and truly I feel like it's hard to fully understand the pain and agony until you experience it. Both my mom and dad always had back issues...it's really something we've got to keep up with! The PT and ortho specialist feel like I should recover really well but they've made it very clear I've got to pull back on my normal way of doing things and focus on strength and the PT exercises to get there. I'm committed to that because I can't imagine this getting any worse! Thanks for reading and for your comment. I feel for ya!
Glad you've had time to relax some and think about solutions. I hope first that your health will continue to improve. I'd hate the thought of you not being in a place to have Max and Dominic..whether it's this farm or not. I hope it will all work out for you.
We only ever look at homes and farms where Max and Dom would come with us if we move from here!!
I’m so sorry about your health issues and don’t know how you have managed to do everything! I’ve been following you since I first saw Mr. B in Parade magazine. (I still miss him and remember that precious face 😻.)
You are such an inspiration! I know you and Chris will make the best decisions for your future. Sending prayers for your healing. ❤️🙏🏻
Dot M