Sundays...a day of rest

Around here, which is different than what I am used to, Sundays seem to be used as a day of rest. So after a wonderful mass we retired back to the farm for some rest. Determined not to use anything with a screen for one whole day, I did a lot of drawing and reading outside. I also had to keep an eye on locals who were loudly using our swimming hole. I took a walk, enjoyed the nice weather and later Jamie and I cleaned out years of food from the staff house refrigerator...yuck! It was not as bad as it sounds, it was mostly 2year old ice cream containers...it gave us something to do at least! Then, just read some more...not too uneventful, but nice all the same
Colleen

River days festival

(pics of Ohio River today at the River days festival)

Saturday- a day off...hmmm what are two farm mangers to do...Jamie decided to use the riding mower and I cleaned the staff house..then we headed for the Portsmouth River days festival...well the website didn't list any events but we wanted to check it out...not too much going on there during the day, but it was nice. We walked around the town, hung out by the river and ate some festival food...always good! The river was beautiful! The sun was shinning, it was nice to be out and about on such a wonderful day. Later at the farm we constructed our quote wall..and relaxed...here's to another day at the farm

Colleen

first pantry day

Today was my first pantry day...twice a month Lend a Helping Hand pantry hands out food boxes and clothing to those who show up(200+ today). Well farm managers usually man the clothing section which is in its own building. It was fun, it was busy... I think I need to work a bit on my enforcement skills...but it was good overall. I got to meet many people, and saw some old faces. Afterwards we drove food boxes to people who could not drive...all over the county. Later we headed to Maysville for a dinner out...and now back at the farm with a weekend off..full of possibilities.

New Challenges...

So today was a great day! This might not mean much to most of you, but today I successfully navigated my way to the Vanceburg post office...alone and driving the big red truck! My fellow farm manager had to run errands in a bigger town in Ohio and I woke up realising I needed to mail something asap...so I decided to take on the challenge. With Jamie's directions, a google map(which cant locate the farm and therefore is not helpful) print out, an atlas, and the post office directions (given to me over the phone after calling the post office frantically) in hand I was on my way. And...I made it! I got home, went running-in the heat of the day which was another challenge, then went hiking on the Glenmary trails with both farm dogs, and then headed to Licking Valley to help with the commodity hand outs. From there Wild Woman treated me and Jamie to Pizza (yum!) and great company. Later we headed to Holy Redeemer to attend 730 mass...and now its time to relax back at the farm. Its been a good day full of new challenges...with Gods help and prayers from others I am adjusting fairly well. I am starting to feel more comfortable, and am learning my way around-bit by bit...Things I thought I could never do a few days ago(like drive the massive red truck on the little back country roads) I am doing now...and its only the first week! Thanks for all the well wishes..thanks for tuning in...here's to another day in Vanceburg...
growing more each day,
yours,
Colleen

learning that maybe we aren't so different after all

Since this is an "off" week I've had more time to settle in/ update the blog/ keep in touch...but i feel its the calm before the storm...soon and very soon things are going to get busy here at the farm. Today I drove for the first time on KY roads...and made it to Joe, the volunteer directors office in one piece...yay! Then Jamie and I went to help Charlie Campbell, a local artist, mix resin for his stain glass window he was making...so cool!! Later at night we attended a Pentecostal prayer service at a local church. Much different from a Catholic service, but it was pretty neat! The people were so into the service, it was impressive, and hard not to be moved by it. Towards the end of the service a little girl in front of us was getting antsy(it was about3 hrs long after all) and a woman next to her(I'm guessing was her relative) was letting her play with her hair over and over again. It was something so simple but I was overcome with memories of my childhood, me and my sister playing with my moms hair (and anyone who would let us). Then I started thinking...I grew up in New York, I was raised a Catholic...there are many things different about me than these people surrounding me in this church...but that all seemed not to matter...I think after all..deep down...were really are more the same.

lots of new things to learn..lots of work to be done

Today was my first real busy day. We started at 9am with "tool time with Joe". Jamie(my fellow farm manager) and I learned how to use all different saws, drills, and basic power tools. We even learned to use a chain saw which was pretty fun! (until the the blade kicked off while I was using it b/c it was a little too loose causing Joe to take the time to fix it and replace the blade). As I was learning, I couldn't help smiling and thinking if only Grandpa could see me now! :) It turns out we may need to do some construction and we will need to cut up lots of wood this winter, so although it was fun to learn it was also a lot to take in, knowing we really had to use this stuff. After our lesson, Jamie and I went to Wild Woman's to mow her lawn/ get a crash course on using the mowers. Since one mower wouldn't start, I used the push mower while Jamie used the weed eater. We got the yard done pretty quick so we were rewarded with the time to sit with wild woman before heading to our next job. After about 30min, we had to head to Licking valley senior center. We had to pack commodities (food from the government) for the elderly in the area who live on their own. 85 bags later, we were out the door on the way to our next job. We then entered the Tollesboro clothing part of Lend a Helping Hand food pantry. Lend A Helping Hand hands out food to anywhere between 230-270 families twice a month. Glenmary farm managers are responsible for the clothing portion that allows anyone coming in to get whatever clothing they need as well. So, since this week is a pantry week, Jamie and I had to start organising and cleaning the clothing site to prepare it for Friday's handout. After that, we had to put the mowers away in the shed up the hill, and then we were finally done. Wiped with my first busy day, I am looking into the upcoming days with similar schedules. Although I am tired, it feels good. There is so much to learn and so many skills I do not have- slowly I am starting to adjust. Taking it one day at a time, I look forward to the day when some of these new tasks will seem easy. Until then, your farm manager in training,
Colleen

First day at the farm

Today I got to spend some time exploring the farm. I took some pictures to share its beauty with you...