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!