Life has a way of getting in the way of things – and most assuredly shaking things up. After a super long hiatus – 2 illnesses diagnosed, some very difficult heartbreaks, 1 new blended family and a very chaotic life – I’m back (hopefully for good). And just in time to brag about my adorable baby chicks. My boyfriend, Nick, and I decided to invest in some adorable hybrid production Reds – which have now taken up a nice section of my dining room. Everyone is thrilled – the dogs can’t get enough of them and Nubbins (yes there is a goat in my kitchen) keeps sneaking peaks into the dining room. We’re super amped for these gals to grow up and spring to really start. What are you doing to get ready for Spring? Did you have a tough winter like us? Let me know!!
Category Archives: Life in General
Windows
I had an experience happen recently. I wasn’t 100% sure of writing about it – but the emotion behind it was so overwhelming I can’t not put it down.
Perhaps, I’m afraid that I’ll forget it – or forget what it felt like. One of those moments – you experience in life that are so profoundly intense you want to live in it forever.
Like all things -there’s a word for it:
Mamihlapinatapai. .Essentially – in theory it can be defined as “a look shared by two people, each wishing that the other would initiate something that they both desire but which neither wants to begin”.
Though unlike most things – it has been said to be “the most succinct word.” Almost impossible to define.
An awareness so unparalleled – there are no concrete words to define it.
I knew of him – though I didn’t know him. Lord knows – he didn’t know me, but in that second when I walked past him and his eyes locked with mine – we knew each other. He stopped doing what he was doing, placing his pen down and politely pretended to be listening to the woman talking to him. But he wasn’t paying her any mind. His eyes were locked on mine. Our eyes fixed on each other. He held my gaze and neither one planned on letting it go. A challenge, intrigue, a familiar recognition? At that moment – there were only two of us. The crowd faded away and I was left in an unexplainable limbo. I felt like he knew more and wanted more of me – than anyone had in my entire life. No one had EVER looked at me that way. I didn’t smile, or wave – now looking back perhaps I should have. I was too overwhelmed. Not by him, per se, but the rawness of what had transpired. I kept walking into the crowd – severing the moment. I stopped. Flushed. Pulled from maelstrom of the empyrean I was drowning in, I tried to gain composure.
Oh my God …. I whispered.
Fall at the Frost Farm
I’m aware that I have been on quite the hiatus this summer. I do have some nifty recipes and pictures to post eventually.
Don’t Let the Picture Fool You
I NEED that …. Vol. 2
It’s funny – because truth be told – I am honestly super content with my life. I always remember my father saying to my mom and me , “You’re millionaires, guys. We have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, our health AND most importantly – we’re together.” And he was right. I was a millionaire then …. and even though my dad isn’t with me anymore – I’m a millionaire now. I have faith, a job, an amazing-supportive family, 4 great animals, and a roof over my head.
BUT …. there’s always that little inkling – that little voice whispering – “Oh you could really use that, Susie”. So, once again I’ve compiled a nice list of things I NEED – to make my perfect life – a little bit “comfortable” if you will. 🙂
- Snugglens™ –ETSY (Snugglens Camera Bags) – when I got my camera years ago – Nick ended up buying me a run of the mill Nikon case. While it was a nice surprise – it’s big and bulky and he usually ends up carrying it. Snugglens – offers fashionable camera cases with extra pockets (for phones, etc) and they’re specially made to order. By a woman who took early retirement. To move to the Ozark Mountains. To raise mules. SOLD (UPDATE – Since I began writing this list – the Shop Owner, Judy, has had to for a stem-cell/bone marrow transplant. There are bags still available – but right now I am just wishing her a speedy and easy recovery!! Prayers are with you!!
- A Buff Orpington or 10 – www.backyard chickens.com – As Buff Hooligans (how can you not love that name?) comments on her write-up about Buffys – they’re the Scarlett Johansson’s of the chicken world. Her write up is hysterical and honestly – although I’ve had my mind made up about the breed for some time now – this article TOTALLY just made me want them more.
- Another season of The Borgias – www.sho.com/sho/the-borgias/home– Well this one isn’t going to happen and I’m super bummed that I caught on to it so late. I’ll just miss seeing Francois Arnaud on my TV. Thank God – I can always re-watch (YAY onDemand and Netflix) and will have Norman Reedus and The Walking Dead to occupy my time 🙂
- The Unpaper Towel – http://www.theunpapertowel.com – Nick and I have long been using cloth napkins and it definitely cuts down on the cost of paper napkins. But we couldn’t quite get out of the habit of using paper towels – especially with the dogs. But paper towels cost money. Not to mention it brings with it the difficult task of trying to find companies that are Cruelty Free. (Surprisingly – a lot of unassuming products are still considered “not cruelty free” because of parent companies.) So, why not cut out the middleman, help the environment and still have the convenience of multi sheet paper towels? The Unpaper Towel appears to do just that. There is also an awesome MORE!?! link on their page that offers a bunch of other alternative uses for their product.
- Hunter Rain Boots- http://us.hunterboots.com I am, without a doubt, a fan of all things BOOT. There was a time when I would only wear boots. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. I have a nice pair of INDULGE-2033’s from the Goth Days, Brown Lace Up’s by Steve Madden – from my BoHo days, brown riding books, black riding boots, LL Bean – Snow Boots, Cheap Groupon boots, Jessica Simpson past the knee boots. … the list goes on! Now – I try to minimize my Spring/Summer boot wearing to my cowboy boots. BUT one type of boot – I haven’t owned in years. A Rain BOOT. Winters are rough here, Spring is rainy here and our property is muddy. Sounds like a personally good reason to invest in a nice, fashionable pair of Hunter Rain Boots. Christmas list item #1 – thank you SANTA. (UPDATE – I GOT THESE, they are perfect!!
What are your opinions on my NEEDS list this week? What are some things you have been dying to get yourself?
*please note – all photos are copyrighted by their owners – and have either been asked for permission and/or credited via a link on this blog*
Impromptu Snow Day
Lately, I’ve been back on writing my novel. It’s a gigantic process in the making and I’ve been writing it for the past 9 years. Most of the time – I don’t think I’ll ever finish, but every once in a while, I pick up my gigantic stack of research books, look at my old links online and begin to type a page or two. As anyone who reads my blog knows, I’m anything other than structured when I write and I try not to force myself into doing something I truly enjoy.
However, with all the snow we’ve been getting in the Northeast lately – I’ve been having plenty of time to jot down some thoughts and get some inspiration, catch up on my shows, take care of my sick goat, set the house up for St. Patrick’s day, grade papers, and pay some bills . THANK YOU – SNOW DAYS!!
BUT it can’t all be about writing (though it should be) and chores. SO luckily – I’ve also had some time to take some adorable (albeit, he’s not that happy about it) pictures of Harley in the snow!!
What about you? Have you been making the best of the wacky weather this winter? Or just wishing it was Spring already?
Where the Heck Have I Been ? My Semi Hiatus from blogging and life ….
Once again – I’ve been neglecting my blogging. I’ve sworn to myself that this blog would be a manifestation of all the crazy adventures and experiences in my life. Positivity vs negativity. Which is precisely why I haven’t been writing. The end of 2014 and beginning of 2015 brought with it some very difficult hurdles. There were kidney stones, stress of the holidays, my standard Christmas cold, my February battle with the Flu and then ….. the loss of an amazing friend. I am not going to turn this post or blog into a haven for doom and gloom. Jess wouldn’t want that and I don’t want that. She was an outstanding person with an amazing determination. She knew what it was like to fight an invisible connective tissue disease – that takes more out of you than sometimes you are willing to put in. She was there to listen and tell me exactly what I needed to do/get tested for next. She was my go-to guru, lunch partner, confidant, fangirl-ing friend. I miss her terribly. I could do a whole post – about Jess – about how she fought lupus, never gave up and encouraged me to live my life to the fullest. Which is why – this blog is going to be about what I AM doing – to live my life, enjoy everyday and continue the fight.
To find out more about lupus, overlap diseases and other autoimmune diseases check out these links:
www.lupus.org – a great resource on what it means to have lupus and resources for family/friends
www.mollysfund.org – a great page that discusses what it is like to live with lupus and overlap diseases
www.butyoudontlooksick.com – resources, articles, etc – for anyone living with/with someone who has an invisible illness
Learning WHILE Teaching …..
HOLY SCHMOLLY …. it’s been a while.
What do you think of when you hear Back to School? Most likely, pictures of apples, pumpkin lattes, long sleeved sweaters and all things autumn begin to creep into your mind. At least – if you’re in the North East like me. Well, school has officially started and brought with it some of the hottest weather this season! While – it may not FEEL like “teaching” weather – I certainly am getting in the spirit of getting my class started.
I also – have COMPLETELY neglected by BlogWriting – status. A huge No No in the Blog writing world. Unfortunately, between curriculum planning, observations, parent meetings and 11 hours of tutoring a week – I really haven’t had a chance to whip up a decent entry. Though I would like to. It has – on the other hand – opened me up to a bunch of exciting materials TO blog about – when I can find the moment to sit down and write. But in case anyone was wondering this is the short version of what I’ve been up to in the past few weeks:
1.Nick and I went to Lake George and spent a sick week at The Sagamore
This Week … I Love …. (2)
This Week’s Favorite Thing:
My 100% accidental pumpkin patch….
Granted … there are 2 pumpkins …. but they were TOTALLY unintentional. Last December – as we do every year – Nick and I tossed our old pumpkins into the gigantic dirt pile we have created behind the shed. It’s always provided a solid pile of pretty fertile soil to dig up and use in pots when Spring arrives. Normally – we’ve got the occasional Polk weed and dandelion growing out of it … SO you can imagine my surprise when I started to notice the unmistakable leaves of a vine plant! At first – I thought it might have been a cucumber or squash plant – perhaps some hidden seed that we tossed into the mulch pile. AND THEN … I realized that’s exactly what it was – it was a pumpkin vine from the old pumpkins we had tossed the winter before! The TIPS I have for having a Great Pumpkin of your own? Get yourself a beagle…. evidently it worked for Charlie Brown and me 🙂
Memories and Missed Moments: A Time to Live and a Time to Remember
Take care of all your memories. For you cannot relive them.
Bob Dylan
I’m not a huge Dylan fan – but he really has a point.
Every once in a while – you have to take a moment to stop and be grateful for everything you have – right then and there – in that present moment. So many times we get caught up living in the past or looking towards the future. It fuels anger, creates anxieties and lessens our quality of life. In turn – our present moments – will someday be memories. Memories that you can never have again. Moments passing you by.
I’d prefer to have those solid memories and look onto them with happiness – knowing I appreciated them WHEN THEY WERE HAPPENING as much as I am appreciating recollecting them.
Recently, I lost a good high school friend of mine. He was part of our quintessential “clique” of teenage boys and girls. Hanging in parks and playing in (or in my case “watching”) garage bands, piggy back rides and first kisses, late night horror movies and prom dates. Some of us kept in touch, some went our separate ways. Joe and I hadn’t spoken in years – we had lost contact with each other – as people often do. But – I would often think of him from time to time. In pictures, videos or yearbook scribblings – I would think of how we’ve all turned into a gaggle of goofy and successful adults. Past discretions forgiven and nothing but coo’s and coddles for weddings, new homes, jobs and babies ….
This Week … I Love …. (1)
Everyone has been trying to post or blog about 3 things they are grateful for, 100 Days of Happiness, or taking Positivity Challenges. Naturally, I found myself wanting to do one. So I sat down at my computer and eagerly began to list all the things I was grateful for – but alas! I could think of nothing. It surely wasn’t because I am not grateful for all of my blessings. It was because I wanted each one of my reasons to have “meaning” and “purpose” behind them. I opted to come back to the computer at another time.
The Fabulous Frost Farm: A lifestyle blog 
