Choices, Choices...

We all make them everyday.  Some choices are small and trivial, some are huge and life-changing.  Some seem insignificant in the moment, but actually have far-reaching consequences.  We make choices of action...or inaction.  Choices in attitude.  Choices in values and beliefs.  Choices based upon emotions, or choices based upon logic. These guide our behavior.

I don't know about you, but I have learned tons from my choices!  And, I hope I make wiser choices today than I did twenty years ago.  I know one thing for sure:  my choices today tend to be more calculated, more educated...and, at the same time, less inhibited in my forties than in my twenties.



All of our choices have consequences, and the results of past choices affect our present choices, for better or worse.  For instance, our negative experiences with credit and debt many years ago has made us extra-conservative with it.  Therefore, we didn't borrow quite enough money to finish building the upstairs in one fell swoop, so...

...We are still working on it now...in March...

God-willing, however, Don can wrap that project up by mid-April so the girls can enjoy their own space at last!

And, Don and I can enjoy "office space" and twice the closet space.  At present, he is using the kitchen table for Westbrook Enterprises paper/computer work, and I do yoga in a cramped corner of our bedroom.





You remember, back in the fall, when Grace craftily convinced me that having some goats would be a fabulous idea?  Well, they have certainly grown on me since then...

Oct. 2017

Jan. 2018

...However, I was not expecting a buck, male goat, to join our ranks!  I knew she hoped to breed her three females, but I thought we would just "borrow" a suitable mate for a couple of weeks.  However, last Friday evening while I was at work, Don, Grace and Rosie went to a livestock auction...

....And, came home with this guy:

So, if everything goes as planned, we will have baby goats, kids, in late summer!

Grace tells me that she has a plan.  She promised me that she has thought this through.  She wants to explore this world of goat-husbandry and the uses of goat milk-based products.

She's even thinking of studying skin care and becoming a certified esthetician.  Maybe creating a line of natural skin care products...



Worst case scenario?  She decides it's not for her.  She sells all the goats at the livestock auction and at least gets some cash out of it. 

Best case scenario?  She loves raising and milking goats.  The kids are so adorable, she sells them for top dollar.  She develops a line of quality, hand-made goat milk products to sell at specialty stores or spas making a nice, steady income for herself.

We shall see...

Rosie had a great experience a couple of weeks ago!



Most of you know the story of Isaac, aka "Classified Tech", our surprise standardbred colt.  Well, he's coming up on two years of age in a couple months, which means we'll have to start some training...harness-racing training, that is...in the foreseeable future.

So, Rosie has begun spending time with our friends and trainers, Brianne and Mike, in Sayre, PA.  She spent the weekend with them, learning the ropes, so to speak.  Of course, one weekend barely scratches the surface, so in addition to her own research and reading and hands-on work with young Isaac, she'll be going up to Sinclair Stables and spending time at the track with Brianne more regularly this summer.

 What an incredible, unique experience for a sixteen year old to have!




Hoping she takes a lot away from this, no matter what happens with Isaac...no matter what Rosie ends up doing with her life five, or even ten, years from now.

You see, we can always choose the safe, secure route.  The path that seems most logical...most practical...most likely, according to...to whom??  To society?  To other people?

But, alternatively, we can choose to reach for the dream...Choose the risky path.

Yeah, but that could end in failure!

Sure.  But, can you learn something from it?  What will you take away from the experience?

I recently saw a quote:  "The difference between failure and success is one more try."



I shared that quote with Don recently, because he seemed to need some inspiration.  I admit, I am not always the most encouraging person when it comes to his "risky" ideas...




I'm so glad my kids feel empowered to reach for their dreams.  To be different from status quo. 

Each one of them has some degree of Don's nature mixed with some degree of my own...for better or worse!

In the words of the country song by Lee Ann Womack:

"I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,

Never settle for the path of least resistance.

Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin',

Lovin' might be a mistake, but its worth makin'.

Don't let some hellbent heart leave you bitter,

When you come close to sellin' out, reconsider.

Give the heavens above more that just a passing glance,

And, when you get the choice to sit it out or dance...

I hope you dance!

I hope you dance!"

Yes, I am the one in this family sometimes known as "the dream-crusher".  I ask the hard questions.  I sometimes come across as "negative".  I tend to be more cautious, especially compared to my husband...though I'd rather think of myself as the calculating, thoughtful and wise decision-maker.  I am definitely the realist.

But, I hope that my kids remember my actions just as much as my words.

I do truly support them in pursuing their dreams...Don, too...just as Don has supported me in pursuing my own dreams and goals over the years, from homeschooling to learning to ride, jump and dance with horses to becoming a hairstylist at 40+!  And, my upcoming one:  choreographing this summer's musical, Mary Poppins, for Fleetwood Community Theatre.  (A recent salon client and my co-workers pointed out how my whole face lights up when I talk about my dance background, so I just knew I had to take this opportunity. 😁)

I hope that Will, Nate, Grace and Rosie will never fear ridicule from me or Don for sharing their...unconventional... ideas or plans.

Questions?  For sure.....     Ridicule?  Condemnation?  NEVER.


Choices, choices....

Easily a foot of snow...on March 21st!  OYE!

Reflecting...Savoring...

There is a lie we believe...Even when we "talk a good talk", the lie is often still deeply embedded in our conscience.

We think we're supposed to have achieved certain things by a certain age or stage of life.  Our culture assigns these milestones that become deeply ingrained.  Oh, sure - they change a bit from generation to generation, but they're always there.  What you are supposed to do by "this" age or in "that" decade of life.

However, it simply isn't so.  

I'm tempted, sometimes, to berate myself....

"I should've done ____ ten years ago."

"We should've done _____ before we started our family." or "before we got married."

"It's too late to learn that now."

"I'm too old to do that now."

"It's too late to achieve this goal.  I should just give up."

Then, there's the "mom" guilt : "If I reach for this dream or work towards that goal, I may somehow damage my children.  So, I'll just stick with the status quo..."  (Ummm, What about "balance", My Friend?)

JUST STOP RIGHT THERE!  Is there still breath in your lungs?  Is your brain still functioning and your heart still beating?  Then, dare to pursue your dream, no matter what "they" say!

I'm so very glad I never gave up my desire to participate in global missions, firsthand.  Though, I had some fears and apprehensions...though I had to wait more than a decade since I first felt that desire, I did not succumb to those internal voices of negativity...

And, what an incredible blessing! My Guatemala trip!  In innumerable ways!  It has given me so many things to reflect upon...given me new perspective on life.

I've been savoring the special moments that occurred throughout that week - too many to share in a blog post, but I'd be more than happy to talk about it with anyone willing to listen!

I had another great experience recently...

















...It was not really about the destination, but about the journey...

I traversed to New York City, at my manager's persistent request, for a day with her and my comrades from the salon for the International Beauty Show and some sight-seeing. Rode the subway for the first time ever! (I'm so glad she swayed me to go!)




There's a very different kind of beauty...and depravity...than what I observed in Guatemala.






Anyway, even now...now that I am licensed in two states and practicing cosmetology for well over a year...I sometimes struggle with thoughts of being too old or not good enough. Or, not having enough "healthy years" left to perfect my chosen art.


"By the time you actually get really good at this, you'll have arthritic hands and failing eyesight, so why bother?" says that painful, nagging whisper in my head.

HUSH, You lying voice of negativity!!

I choose to make the most of this opportunity to start a new career at 40+ years of age.  I embrace the fact that most of my co-workers (including those currently) will be closer to my children's ages than mine throughout this career!  I am quite blessed to share the salon floor with a couple of "good 'uns" in this current culture that accepts mediocrity and less-than-stellar work ethic.




In fact, at present, due to some recent personnel changes at Holiday Hair, my 22-year old co-worker just became my salon manager.  Many folks at my age and stage in life would struggle with this. Would think they are above operating under one so young and lacking life experience.

To tell ya the truth, I did, too, for about a day. (I admit: ego and pride, temporarily, got the better of me!)

But, ya know what?  Brittani is a super gal, a terrific stylist with tons of leadership potential and a kind heart.  Given the right support and encouragement, I believe she will be a great manager!  So, I chose to be that person.  A source of encouragement and strength and wisdom for her.

Today, I am savoring the moments shared with my fellow stylists in NYC, my fellow team members in Guatemala, my family members in this "home improvement" adventure...

...as I curl up on the couch to enjoy a cup of real Guatemalan coffee and watch this last hoorah of winter - giant, fluffy, ivory flakes falling heavily - between loads of laundry.




For some it is all about the destination.  As for me, I will choose to focus on the journey.  Soak in these rich experiences offered me.

My unsolicited words of wisdom for today?

• Embrace the opportunities presented to you, no matter your age. 

• Don't believe that "Debbie-downer" voice that creeps into your mind.  Catch "her", and dismiss her quickly. 

• Choose to be that person. The voice of inspiration and encouragement to others.

• Love the people placed in your path, and...

• Savor the moments you share with them!

Next post:  An update on our home and property adventures! (Yes, the bedrooms are finally underway!!) And, I'll share a bit about an exciting opportunity of Rosie's coming up...