"off week" full of activity?

This past week is has been just me and Jamie at the Farm. Alex is off spreading the message of the farm and visiting one of his favorite places in the world and we are here holding down the fort. After the last group left, we were sad to see them go, but Happy for some rest. And...it came at the perfect time! For the first time in a while I felt pretty sick with a cold. So, I am thankful for this time for recovery. Just as soon as I kicked the cold, a strange bout of poison ivy-like wonderfulness has decided to remain on my eyelid...so its been interesting... But, really it has been a good week. With a few errands in town, and a few trips to help and to visit with people in town...it has been slow. We planned and shopped for the upcoming groups. We had a scare and visited a friend in the hospital...getting there was quite another adventure...and we went to church. Also, we participated in an interfaith reading group of Mitch Album's Have a little faith...and spent some time thinking about what I need from this Lent....Other than that we have had time to recover, rest, read and work on our crafts. So, feeling better and ready to take on March Madness...this overall was a good week. Here's some pics of the things I have been able to work on this week and in the past weeks...(hand sewn quilts, hand sewn outfits for bears, and cards etc etc...also starting a panel for the Parkinson's quilt)

So thanks for tuning in...wishing Peace, sending love <3>

Last week, I almost drove our truck of the bridge...

So, the last two weeks, Lewis County has been hit with record amounts of snow and cold weather...Phew...I thought I was moving to warmer weather coming to the farm...but the days seem remarkably similar to those of New York winters. Luckily we have had groups with good spirits...and creativity...prepared with warm clothing...and ready to face the elements.
The only real bummer about snow in Lewis County is that with the beautiful hilly terrain, snow makes the roads very difficult to drive...shutting down a lot in the county. A few days we were stuck on the farm, which although potentially boring for the groups...gives the farm a chance for catch up...working on projects that make the farm run better. We had the boys this week building shelves for our tshirt sale room, sorting our new shipment and even sewing tshirt bags for the pantry. I know...some had never sewed before, but they did great! After a few days we were able to get off the farm, still we had to drive carefully. It was a pantry week, so we had work to do at the clothing side, and packing the boxes. After a long day of work, we were excited that we just about made it back to the farm. I was driving the truck and Jamie the van behind me...well I had a bad feeling...and stopped the truck to move a tarp laying over the bridge. I couldn't really see the edge of the small bridge on the farm because it was covered with snow... I thought I was fine but stopped just as a student stated... "umm...you missed". I put the truck in park and notice The front left wheel was hanging off the bridge. Great....I didn't know what to do...the truck is our vehicle to pull other vehicle's out... Just as I am starting to panic...help comes from all directions...literally. Jamie and the chaperone's and Alex and the other boys on the farm. After a very long time of reversing and shoveling and pulling with the van and pushing....finally...we got it out....as it happened I literally had tears in my eyes...so thankful for every one's help...and greatful for the best coworkers ever! Later in reflection I realised that sometimes our weaknesses/ failures bring out the best in others. Well, the truck incident...brought out the best in all at the farm that day...thank you guys!

From there, the rest of the week went so well! The group was great! -So fun and full of positive energy....they were great to be around...and they did a lot of great work! SO thanks guys for the memories the laughs and everything you did at the farm! It was another great one for the books!

Wake Up...its pitch dark outside...I know the power is out

Last Tuesday, I woke up with a start...looked out my usually bright window(we have safety lights outside) and saw darkness...saw my clock was off...and realised the power was out. I, was on breakfast crew which meant...I was in charge of waking the troops...getting breakfast and the day started. Not knowing what time it was...not having a phone to call about work sites...and not having power to cook meals...I started to panic a little inside. I felt around for a candle and a match and found my way to my trusty farm manager handbook...in the book it says "flip breakers or call electric company"...so I flip the breakers...knowing most likely that wont work b/c the outage was probably from the snow storm...so I wake up Alex...and eventually Jamie. We light some more candles...decide to wait until daylight to wake the group and start the meal. (we figured out it was about 6am so we only had to wait about an hour for sunlight. We make plans...and wait for the light. Just as I am about to wake the group....the power turns on...HOORAY! so, we had a lovely pancake breakfast...and although we were snowed in on the farm...we couldn't leave b/c the hill was too icy...we made the most of the day. We could tell some of the students were disappointed...they wanted to work..and meet people in the area...and they felt it a waste to stay on the farm....we tried to explain the importance of any work...and some understood...if I was in high school(or even my first two years in college)I know I would not see the bigger picture so easily...so that's impressive that some of them got it so soon.

Anyways....when we got snowed in a second day....it was hard to keep spirits up...but everyone made an effort. Over the two days snowed in we got soooo much done...we sewed many bags for the pantry...we had a sewing circle and shared stories which was really fun! We made Valentines for the Nursing home, and a crate for our athletic equipment. One group tore up the tile in the staff house and another ripped the rotten walls off the woodshed. The group cleaned and reorganised the pantry and the tools shed and the kitchen and the bunks and even repaired our couches...whew...what a list!! Anyways...the group really helped the farm...all the things we don't necessarily have time to do other weeks...were done and done well! Later in the week we did get off the farm...some people cleaned the church, others got to meet Wild Woman and others organised food and shelves at the food pantry...and...and...completely sorted the remaining clothes in the clothing pantry...I know amazing!

Anyways...as a whole it was a week that kept us on our toes...a week that challenged us all...and a week that helped us see things differently. The chaperone's were great which helped a lot! Some highlights include the night out at a local church...the group was awesome...and it was an experience I will always remember...going up for another song...how great!

Overall I feel I was challenged by this week...a lot personally...but I think it was good for me. I was brought back and reminded what it was to be a girl in high school...and I gained a lot of perspective....so thanks for a great week...and thanks for the snowy weather...

Pantry Handout a sucess...now onto a new work week

This past pantry handout was a success...without George and Sue...things were a little confusing at first but everyone stepped up and it went smoothly. Numbers were a little slower than recently...most likely because of the weather...which actually was nice because it gave us more time to talk and spend time with people coming through. Since it was just me and Alex this week, we both stayed for the handout and then did deliveries. It was Nice to chat with those we deliver after because I usually am not on that job.

After the handout we had a quiet weekend. We got ready for the group...did some shopping and went to church.

Our group came in last night and they are great. I can tell already! Today I spent a day with a group at the clothing pantry all day. A job that can often be tedious...and not my favorite and yet, I had fun today. We got so much done!! A clean pantry here we come!!
So here's to a good start of the week...hoping the weather holds out for us!!
Colleen

A Busy Off Week

This week, we do not have a group here, but it is the first week of the month which means...we have some stuff to do. We also are one member down for a few days...another test to see if we can survive when not all three are together. So far, we have been busy planning for the next week, packing commodities, and getting ready for pantry day this week. Actually in the end, we really are not that busy...just some things we have to be responsible for. So far so good...

Also, I have started exercising again...and I feel better even though I am really really out of shape...but the beginning is always the hardest....so here's to a productive spring

Besides that....we lost another cat...Moses got hit by a car....not sure if I mentioned that or not...other than that...the farm is holding up...things are good so far

thanks for tuning in
peace and love,
Colleen