Time to Pay it Forward

There are many things I didn't realize as a kid. But one thing I knew, being a grown up meant work. What kid wants that? So when asked what I wanted to be when I grow up, I wisely said I didn't want to grow up. And to a certain extent I've succeeded. As my family likes to say, "you're only as old as you think you are."

But I can't completely hold back the clock. I am an adult. A fun loving, childish one perhaps, but a grown up all the same.

I work 40 hour weeks and volunteer on the side. Conclusion, it's EXHAUSTING! I don't know how my parents and grandparents did it for so many years. But they have, and still do.

I can't say I have the work ethic, or stamina of the WWII generation. I can't say I have the energy or tenacity of Mom. Heck, I don't even have the servants heart of my little sister. I've barely started contributing to society and I'm ready to throw in the towel.

But I won't. I can't. My family has worked hard for generations.If Grandma was up at 4:00 am without fail making Grandpa's coffee every single day, how can I do any less. (Take this statement literally and you're missing the point. For the record, I don't get up that early, nor do I have any plans to start).

It doesn't matter if I don't have their endurance, or drive. What matters is I remember; it's my turn to pay it forward. 

“Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you're a thousand miles from the corn field.”

- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Home Life

The last couple days have been fantastic. "Why?" I hear you ask, because I have finally gotten to go swimming! Shameful, isn't it, it took me until the beginning of July to get to a pool. But now I've taken the plunge and (hopefully) will do it more often with the remains of summer.

And the fantasticness is just beginning. After 7 pm today I'll have two days off of work in a row (thank you Founding Fathers!) and I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to be home! 


To top it all off, there have been people around. Yes ladies and gents, the Home Ranch is being used in the way was meant, to host people. The yard's a long ways from being finished, and I'm working out hosting quirks, but there's been life at the Ranch. And I found out last night it's going to continue! Life is good.


Hm, maybe I should start writing visiting dates down on the calendar. After all, I'd hate to overbook...