I continue to be MIA when it comes to blogging. I guess because I always intended this blog to be about homesteading and even though I have not lost my passion for the subject, I regretfully have done nothing in my life lately that could even be slightly considered homesteading. About a week ago, I wet a bunch of little peat pots to fluff up and plant seeds in but they still have not one seed started. I found a lead on person who might teach me how to make the old fashioned wool hook rugs or felted rugs that I have always wanted to learn how to make but I have not called her. So I drag my feet about updating the blog, feeling like I have nothing of interest to contribute.Fortunately for me you all are so inspiring, when I get online and read what all of my favorite bloggers are up to, it occurs to me that I really just want to see what is going on in their lives, the good the bad, the ups and downs I like hearing what is going on with my far away friends and I feel genuine concern, joy and frustration along with them in all that they encounter and are willing to share with me. I love hearing about the weather in other parts of the country or the other side of the world, I like seeing what people are cooking up in their kitchens, or what their kids are doing in school. I enjoy seeing their families their dogs, cats and other assorted menageries of animals. I love the similarities as well as the differences in all of our crazy lives.
Also, I am reminded that part of the reason I blog is purely for my own need to chronicle the journey that I am on. So very much in my life has turned upside down but in the midst of it all life still goes on and I am determined to remember to enjoy the journey not just focus on the destination. I know a year or two from now I will look back on what was happening now and appreciate those obstacles that seemed so insurmountable that turned out to really be stepping stones on the path to wherever life is taking me.
I have been spending most of my free time in academic mode. Because I went back to work in the ICU, I had several educational certifications to renew including ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) and have decided to pursue getting my CCRN certification (Critical Care). The test is very difficult and to prepare for it I am taking an online course through the Critical Care Nurses Association that requires a commitment of a lot of hours online and reading. So most of my time is spent trying to memorize things like which lead on the ECG machine reflects the electrical activity of each area of the heart. Oh so exciting! The whole process has gotten me more motivated to go back to school and finish my Masters in Nursing, I dropped out of the program I was in when my husband and I separated. Lately I have really begun to realize that at 47 I am no spring chicken anymore and I can't see myself doing the physical labor involved in bedside nursing for another 20 years. Having that degree would allow me to go into teaching which I have always wanted to do.
In my fantasy world of the future, I live in the mountains of New Mexico, I have a working homestead that is at least partially self sufficient, the chickens are back and clucking happily around the barn, I teach online classes from the comfort of my home office while the dogs sleep at my feet, and when I want to escape it all I ride off into the sunset on my trusty equine friends. Hey a girl can dream can't she??
Since the weather has cooled a bit here in Florida I have had the chance to do the thing I love most in the world, ride my horse. The new foal has not been weaned yet and probably has a few more months on his mama so she is not able to be ridden, but good old faithful Red my 25 year old Quarter Horse has proven once again that he has been worth his weight in gold. I have been getting out on him and exploring the great riding trails right near my new home and he takes on every new trail we find like an old pro. I have been warned over and over NOT to ride alone and I know I really shouldn't but if I waited around for someone to ride with I would never get to ride. So off we go and so far it has been nothing but the best way for me to escape it all.
One of these days I will proudly post a picture of the new veggie garden I have started or some other homestead related blog worthy topic, but until then I'm just taking it one day at a time and trying to appreciate the journey.
I'm glad to hear you are still around. It's nice to hear what you are up to, even if it doesn't involve gardens or livestock.
ReplyDeleteYour rides sound heavenly- but do be careful.
Judy
That's great your going back to school. It's hard to go back once you've been out any length of time. I'm going to be working on my PCCN soon. I made it one of my goals this year on my evaluation. My work is offering a 2 day course in December and I'll have to take the test within 6 months.
ReplyDeleteI think you just described what you could be blogging about right now... the journey.. the good, the bad, the ups and downs, the day to day, the goal. Just as you are interested in reading of your friends journey, so, too.. are they. I give you great credit for going back to school, for making hard choices for a better future. I look forward to reading about your journey!...
ReplyDeleteI agree, sharing our lives with each other, and supporting one another is really what the true essence of blogging is all about.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your studies, your seed pots and glad to hear you can still enjoy a nice ride. That's not something many of us are able to do.
Be well ~Andrea~
I also like to ride alone at times...for me it sometimes helps get things back in the proper perspective.
ReplyDeleteSeems that you have many things going on.
I love to read your posts. Your reasons for blogging are the same as mine. I love to read about all my blogger friends. Have come to know their families, pets and what their likes and dislikes are...and I miss them when I'm away. Afraid I'll miss something good! I love your music by the way. Really neat. I admire you for continuing your Nursing Education. I was an ICU nurse for years and just loved it. You'll be finished in no time and able to live your dream one day. It seems like a dream that is very reachable to me. As for riding alone. I did the same thing. Always made sure I had my cell phone with me. Just something about being in the woods, just me and ole' Junior. He was such a great trail horse. Very trail savy. I just watched his ears and he'd tell me what was going on. We leaped over trees and streams and climbed little hills off trail. The smell of horse and woods....can't beat it!! Could we have an update on your little foal? Would love to the little darling!! Good luck with your studies. So, so glad to hear from you!!! ...debbie
ReplyDeleteTerrific post! I am excited about your continuing education, and the possibility of going for your masters in nursing. That would be wonderful and help you realize your dream in New Mexico. (or so I think.) Never give up your dreams.
ReplyDeletePerhaps this new turn over will bring something extra special into your life.
Your horses sound wonderful and I am glad you decided to ride. What freedom riding is.
Blessings dear friend.
Oh it is exciting you have been out riding!! My daughter loves to ride, we have no horses of our own, but we do have a friend who allows her to ride often.
ReplyDeleteHi Laura, after re-reading your 'dream' part, I can see it too. I can see you being the successful nurse and living in the NM mountains... I think you will be there within the next few years. This time is your 'along the road' time.
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with ya sister. Since the hubby has come back from Afghanistan, our 'farm life' has been turned upside-down and I'm finding it hard to find anything to blog about. Life is like this I think. With a roller-coaster of activity and then blah.
ReplyDeletei know many people in icu that have been homesteading in a little berg between manti and ephraim><<><>they are all from the provo and slc area, and commute to their jobs while living with us out in the boddies
ReplyDeletehey i enjoyed your music also, she talks to an angel
ReplyDeleteIt's funny but I think many of us when we started blogging began with a different idea in mind. Let it morph into what it will; in time, the voice of your blog will be revealed. In the meantime, that you are not posting as often as you'd like is inconsequential. Your hands right now are very full (good for you that you have gone back to school!) and, if anything, you can always blog about that area of your life: nursing and the patients you encounter, the lessons you learn, how do you not let certain cases get to you emotionally, does it get emotionally at times, etc. I think that would be so fantastic that you could share that with the world because when dealing with human emotions/life/struggles/etc. that always makes for a good read because it continues to open our hearts more to empathy and understanding and gratefulness and forgiveness and love and giving and all of those things and ALL of those things are always, always good. I'm so glad you stopped over and I think that what you do for a living is a profession that perhaps does not get as many thanks as doctors. Well, from me to you and on behalf of others who feel the same, we are grateful for those like you who are there for us and our loved ones and take good care of us in our most times of need. Nice to meet you.
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