We all work hard 

We all work hard trying to keep up the homesteads and producing products, but do we remember to slow down and appreciate life? While it may seem insignificant, a Sunday dinner or an evening movie on tv is an accomplishment for many of us. No matter how you make money on your homestead, it is important to find downtime. Even if you cannot afford to take the time for an extended vacation, taking a bit of family time is imperative.

Lessons Learned

Endless work

This is a lesson my husband and I are working hard to concur. With him having a 9-5 job and me writing full-time, our skin care line seems to have sucked the little free time we had. Behind on fall projects, we find ourselves working from 6 am to 10 pm most days. With the animal chores, jobs, and a business; time is not in our favor. So, how do we find downtime? We do not find much of it! However, we are making a bit of downtime from time to time. Sunday evenings no matter what, we stop by 6 pm to have a nice dinner and a bit of one on one time. Whether reading the paper, watching TV, or simply sitting and talking; it is well needed and deserved after a long week.

Events

Mother Earth News Fair, cheese making class.

Events are a whole other story, needing to commit weeks or months in advance is difficult. Yet, we do just that a few times a year. This year we went to The Mother Earth News Fair, a few craft shows, and this weekend we’re headed to a reverse raffle benefit. While it does not seem like much, it is time away which could have been spent splitting wood or working on products.

Friends and Family

The worst is when downtime for the family is even hard to find. Friends and family have a hard time accepting our lifestyle and lack of free time. Especially in the spring when we begin kidding season and milking once again begins. Making for a lot of disappointed loved ones. While they may have the weekends free, we must use that time to catch up. Barns needs to be cleaned, hooves need trimmed, wood needs cut, and so much more. Do they have the right to be angry? They could always come over and pitch in, we do have a lot of fun while we work. My nephew’s Carter and Lou, had no troubles pitching in this summer, how do you keep your extended family and friends happy?

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