A Week of firsts

So, once again...every week at the farm is different. The weather this week has been back to cold, cold and more cold...
We just got done with a high school group. They were smaller than expected, and a group of all guys, but I think they got a lot out of the farm. They reminded me that if one person is effected by their time here, then it makes it all worth it. Just because the farm is not so new to me, doesn't mean that it can not change the way others see things, it is good to be reminded sometimes. Living here, I think at times I am beginning to take it for granted...the farm and the program...it becomes life and you forget how special it really is....so this week even though short...was good for me

This week I spent a lot of time at the pantry...cleaning and sorting the clothing side and packing the food boxes. I also got to visit with wild woman...it had been over a week since our last visit and we missed her. This week also had a couple first...I had to accompany a student to the doctors for x-rays after he got hurt playing basketball...my first time with a mini crisis...also we had some local visitors come and join for a game of bball...pretty fun...they beat us(even though I did not play lol) anddd...today as I went to check on the bunks....I saw the dogs grabbing the remains of some animals body...yes the same dogs that would not scare off a dog following me on our property had enough energy to rip apart another animal...I still love them anyway...but come on!

Also...i had not been sleeping great lately and I noticed mybed was caving in....so today I moved my bed around...I found that the planks holding my box spring were out...ahha....no wonder it was a little uncomfortable...anyways...its fixed and wonderful now

other than that...its an off week...and it will be a cold one...
until next time
wishing peace and sending all mylove,
Colleen <3

trip to Akron

The past few days, the farm managers and I traveled to Akron to visit our friends at Archbishop Hoban high school. It was great reconnecting with old friends and seeing them in their element. Thanks for your hospitality! It was good to speak to the high school about the farm, and also to get away from the area just for a bit. Now, time to get ready for the next group..and enjoy the warmer, rainy weather.

off week on the farm

So, with the nice weather I decided it was time to move my butt and get running again. Yesterday was a beautiful day...light mist..a little cold. but good running conditions. First mile, I'm feeling a little winded but it feels good to exercise...as I make it up the first big hill, I'm greeted by a decent sized dog, one that has never bothered me before...well he jumped and lept..and ran at me...scratched...and tried to nip for about a mile. Good thing I was in a full spandex suit so he couldn't really do anything...I think he was just playing around b/c he wasn't really trying to bite and his tail was wagging...but it was annoying/ frustrating on my part. I tried everything to shake him. First, ignore, don't make eye contact and walk away...didn't work. I tried yelling in a deeper voice...didn't work. I tried running...and standing...didn't work. When he tried to nip me...well i hit him hard in the face...didn't work...I even tried to pet him...which worked for a second until he went at me again...anyways long story short...looks like I might have to find a new running route.
The best part of the whole event was when I made it back to the house...I was hoping to give the dog a scare...hoping our dogs who bark at everything would at least bark at him...um not exactly. I had to go into their dog houses, pull them out, show them the dog...and then they chased it off...when it came back on the property...they didn't seem to care...again I had to drag them over to me and then they barked and kind of scared it away...so yeah...new running route to be planned. Oh, and do not worry...I am completely fine and was not in any real danger...the dog wasn't really vicious...just didn't understand I didn't want to play...the worst part was walking into the house...covered in mud...from the dog jumping on me. Anyways....theres always a lesson to be learned right?

After that incident, I spent the rest f the day inside. I sewed an outfit for the build-a bear Michaela bought me for Christmas...pictures posted at a later date. Also, cleaned and got ready for our road trip. The next few days the farm managers are going on a trip. We are visiting our friends who came down to the farm a few months ago. Which should be great!! Also, we are stopping on the way at Costco...and dropping off one of our many cats(who keep wandering on the farm) at a shelter...bye CC...its been nice...but now onto better things.
For now, signing off...Ohio here we come!

it feels like spring?

So the last post I wrote told of winter here in Lewis county...and the second part of our week...well felt like spring. The snow melted, it felt warmer...it was nice.
Anyways, the rest of our week was wonderful. The group was really into it and they really got the farm. They had a strong community but were not afraid to let us join theirs...they made it fun for us for a change. Also, they went to school in NY so it was fun being able to relate to a group about my hometown for once. All in all, it was fun...but also meaningful. So thanks guys for getting me back into the farm in the best way possible!

Since the group left, we have been enjoying the warmer weather...doing some cleaning outside...some exercising...and getting the farm and ourselves back in order after a long break...march madness here we come!

snow, snow and more snow(kind of)

Since returning to the farm, we have been under a winter weather advisory. Although that sounds intense...well compared to snow in NY...well...its a little lighter. I mean, don't get em wrong...it is cold and windy and icy...and well a constant flurry of snow flakes has fallen...just not accumulated.
So, the weather although beautiful has at times shut down our days activities. We have a group in now and today's main work was cancelled due to the weather. We were caught off guard because we didn't really even notice...good thing the group was easy going...we had a good day. We sewed some t-shirts for our renewable bag project, and we cleaned house for and visited with a friend from church. Now, we are back at the farm ready to start dinner making for the rest of our group.

So far so good. Yesterday was a good community building day as well. We spend the morning asa group visiting with wild woman and we got to feed her cows. Later in the day we were able to drop off donations and sort and clean God's time room.

So on to continue farm duties
until next time,
Colleen

15 pounds redistributed...Simplicity here I come

So, I am now safely back at the farm...it is snowing and we are planning for the next week. It is peaceful now, and again is seems the calm before the storm.

But, lets just say my journey back was not without a few laughs....So, Christmas, a time of giving...well my family is always way to giving and this year they gave me some boots and warm clothing...things I can really use on the farm...as well as a handmade quilt from Linds and her mom...and some crafts and books...things for the off weeks. Well, I set out to take most of it back with me...what a challenge since my suitcase was packed before I came. So, I opted to pack my jumbo suitcase...which took me 2 hours just to put everything in. I also jammed full my back pack and a small purse. Packed to capacity in the morning...well my bag looked over 50 pounds. Me and maggie tried to weigh it...but it was larger then the scale and we couldn't figure it out. So, I head to the airport thinking that usually overweight bags are about 50$ instead of 20...which is cheaper then shipping all the stuff I needed. I get to the baggage line and the woman tells me that bags under 50 are 20$ and those over are 90$...how outrageous!!! So she said either pay the extra 70 or redistribute 15 pounds...hm mm the choice was easy for me. After about 20 minutes and four tries I was wearing rain boots, had snow boots filled with clothing as well as all my toiletries in my purse, sneakers and shoes tied to the top of my backpack, my pockets stuffed...and well as every ounce of the two carryons I brought...a little uncomfortable...but totally worth it. The woman kind of rolled her eyes at me...but I made it. I was nervous about getting through security with all my stuff...pulling my laptop out of the crazily packed bag...but it was all fine...I got through. A few stares along the way, I did not mind but found amusing. Once we landed, I was the first farm manager into the airport so when I got my bag...I had to repack to be more comfortable...so, sadly there is no evidence of my disheveled appearance...
I was a little embarassed about the amount of stuff I had with me...we focus on simplicity...and well I had a lot of stuff with me....Jamie and Alex's bags combined were not as big as mine...they had to help me put it in the truck even...but I guess thats just me...I like to be overly prepared...and its something I am working on...but for now...it brought a laugh
So, heres to starting things in an unusual way...feeling good about 2010

HIghlights of home

my trip home has been wonderful! Catching up with family...through the good and the bad...being able to physically be there with those I love as things happen and not having to be filled in over the phone...well its been good...as my trips about to close, I thought I'd sumarize some highlights...at least for my own memory

Well, I love everything about Christmas so the days leading up to it...are my favorite. When I first came home, the snow got in the way of me participating in the Christmas event at KNox's headquarters this year, but Luckily I was still able to get together and Bowl with the gang. Then Me Mags Tim and Mich had to get the house ready for Michs bday party as Mom and Dad went to a funeral for a friend.
Shopping with Tim and Mich for Christmas and making presents is always a good time.
Christmas and birthdays and other holidays with the family.... always the best!

Playing Quelf and watching tv and sharing meals and conversations...family time...so good
Seeing the Christmas Spectacular, grabbing coffee with friends...planning get-togethers with college friends that fall through are disappointing...but surprising the effort some make even despite the obstacles... well, reminds me how lucky I am

Bringing in the New Year...free train rides, glittering eye lashes, delicious dinner, free Octopus, great fondue, free drinks, girls night out, New Years hats, music from a juke box, catching up with friends, laughing..just like the old times...crowded bus station, falling asleep on the bus, news of New Babies, walking home in the snow..following a deer, Mary Poppins x2, lounging...perfect

Missing friends...sometimes things just don't work out, getting together with others...it will be along time until I am home again...but I am lucky to have this time

New York, New York

The more time I spend home..in New York... the more familiar it seems. And yet, something is different, perhaps the difference is within me?

The more time I spend in New York, the more I appreciate my surroundings. Never having left for long before, I never had the chance to miss it.

The more time I spend in New York, the more I value the small details...not just the idea of home, but the small things that only those who live there know that make it well, yours

The more time I spend in New York, the more I feel reconnected with my family here. Being together, sharing experiences, enjoying company....what a gift!

The more time I spend here in New York, the more I realised just how truly blessed I am. Reminding myself that in the end..everything really does work out for the best.


Reflecting on home, I pray in Thanksgiving: Thanks God for all the gifts you have given me, all the people and opportunities you have put in my life, and all of the wisdom you have helped me understand...no matter how hard it was to obtain. I know I still have a long journey ahead of me, but I am confident all things will work out in time...

Thanks to everyone in my life.... I am one lucky bean

2010...here we go

As we said goodbye to 2009 and welcomed 2010...thoughts of all that has changed in a year fill my head. One of the biggest realizations I had these past couple days was that wow...2009 what one heck of a year!!
2009... my last year of college, a year I lost myself and began to find it again, a year of sorrows and hardships and a year of good times with friends and many good laughs. Looking back, I see our country realising it needs work, and I see people losing their jobs, yet I also see volunteer time rising and a real interest in the world around us....Every where you look there is good and bad...at least by our standards and I know this past year was hard for many people...cutting back, stepping back and for the first time in a while thinking about the difference between wants and needs. 2009, was the year I questioned things and was challenged and a year I began to learn, it was the year I first felt called to the farm and despite fear answered that call. It was the year I graduated from Marist and a year where I grew up(maybe just a little)...no matter how much I did not want to...and it has been a year where God has been patiently, slowly but clearly calling me closer.
Looking back...there were hard times...and easy times....so much has happened its hard to believe it all fit into the one year....One things for certain...it was eventful.
And yet, as we rang in the New Year and embraced 2010, I was filled with hope. It seemed to be a mutual feeling with me and the world around...Goodbye 2009...Welcome 2010...lets bring on the new beginnings....