Down Mulberry Lane

NEW RULE!

Our new family rule had to be made.  We needed limits placed on how much the farmer's market infringed on our family life.   This week was our first week to follow through and we started letting customers know, so they can know when to expect us.  I had been tossing and turning with how to figure out how to make it work, but not feeling so overburdened.  So, that is how the new rule was born...

The rule is:  Farmer's Market on Tuesday... mandatory for some extra income.  But Friday... we will ONLY go to market if the school is done!... if the house is clean! .... and we have stuff to sell...  NO BAKING on Friday for market... if there are leftovers from Tuesday, they will be sold at a discount... a couple pan cookies are allowed (stove top cooking), but that is it!  Friday will largely depend on jelly, granola, eggs and garden produce...all things that can be made/readied ahead of time.  

Last Friday was what broke my camel's back!  In getting ready for market, the house was a mess... my daughter's 18th birthday was the next day and I hadn't even had time to purchase a birthday meal, let alone look for a gift.  The day left me in tears and I realized that the market had WON.  The beast was more than we could bear.  While we enjoy the market... we love the interaction with the customers and the other vendors, it just has become too much for us.  I had thought of doing a Tues/Wed market rather than Tues/Fri... and maybe next year that will come.  Having two market days together and then a week to rest... would be so much simpler... but this spaced market is sure hard on managing baking needs for market and FAMILY needs at HOME.  I had been asking Dh if I could quit, but he saw the good that it has brought... the girls are confident... they are not scared to talk to others anymore, their math skills are very good, they have learned salesmanship, display techniques, and their time management is improving (even if it is still lacking, it is better than last year and he sees that if allowed to continue, improvement will continue to come).  He knows that I enjoy it.  He knows that I have frustrations as well.... but he is not sure "how" to fix those frustrations.  He has however decided that I should make some limitations and trial them to see if one might work.  Today was the first day that I had decided NOT to go (even though I had produce and had jelly and eggs), but rather to ready the house for Sabbath and take care of these free apples before they go to waste.   What good are free apples, if they are not used? 

My girls had learned the rule and knew the house was not in perfect order and didn't squabble about setting to picking up today.  They desired to go to market, but a simple no with a shrug of my shoulders looking about a toy strewn living room... and they understood.  The bathroom is clean and sparkling... the living room is clean and sparkling and then the girls set to work upon their own bedrooms... which look very nice, nicer than they have for some time.  They came down to help peel some apples without a grumble.  It was a nice day when things got accomplished, yet we weren't under stress from the market.  For once our priorities felt right.  Even if market is only a seasonal thing... once school started back up... Fridays just became too hectic.   I am hoping for the new routine to set a standard that will last all week long and keep us on our toes rather than slacking because something else seems too pressing or more important.  Making money isn't always the most important... sometimes having a restful home is worth more than money will every bring... (even if that money is helping to reduce the debt burden that we are carrying).   

Warmly,

Melissa

Untitled Comment

5:00 PM, September 9, 2007 .. Posted by mcgyver959701

Hello Melissa,
Good luck with the new rule. Sometimes, we have to take a step backwards to see things from another view point.

Sorry I haven't been by a visit in awhile, its been pretty busy around here lately. Hopefully, with fall around the corner, I'll be able to read more of your blog. I always enjoy reading it and have missed reading it.

Blessings,
Lynn

Good for you!

6:40 AM, September 10, 2007 .. Posted by quiverfullacres

Good that you decided to put the brakes on when you saw that the things weren't being done at home. That is good for everyone around!

Thanks for the chicken information. It really will help us do some figuring!

Untitled Comment

5:18 PM, September 10, 2007 .. Posted by buttons

The market sounds fun! To bad that you can't do it as often.
Amy

Hello!

9:42 PM, September 10, 2007 .. Posted by jocelyndixon

Well.... I thought I'd come by and give you an update on your template...

I believe I am nearly finished. I need to add some "gooseberry" country pictures, and did you ever look for your family pictures? lmk. I got your email, though I never got to reply!

; )

Jocelyn

Untitled Comment

11:04 PM, September 11, 2007 .. Posted by chimicole

What a blessing that you were able to decide on a schedule that will work for you!
God bless and take care!

Enjoying your blog

9:35 PM, September 17, 2007 .. Posted by Daisyblend

I'm so glad you shared over at my blog - I followed you here and have really really been enjoying yours! Thank you so much for opening up your life to a bunch of strangers. :) I want to comment on everything, but time will not allow. This may seem scattered...
We, too, are struggling to get out of debt. Although the total (not iincluding house) is under $10,000, it's at 32%. Yikes. Definitely feeling the drag there.
Just an hour ago I finished up my second batch of pepper jelly using your recipe. Fantastic stuff! This is my first ever jelly-making experience. Doesn't seem to be setting up. I'm hoping time will help. How much do you sell yours for? How much do you sell a loaf of bread for? I can't wait to begin the farmer's market thing. That's just the kind of thing I've been wanting to get into. Still new to the area and am not sure where to find one, but I'm thinking next year...
And I love this post about organizing time, prioritizing. Friday is a big cleaning day around here too. And generally just wrapping up the week's loose ends. I hate "crashing" into the Sabbath. Sometimes the sun sets and there's still a stack of dishes - some weeks I refuse to wash them until after sunset the next night and other weeks I can't stand it. I wash them up quickly so I can rest in peace! Takes a concerted effort to not get sidetracked on Friday - it pays off in an extra restful Sabbath.
Does your family keep the feasts, as well? We're still working on Feast of Tabernacles plans. Fall is falling. I love this time of year.
Oh, also (gosh, this IS really scattered), I wanted to somehow express that I like the way you write about your husband. It's clear that you love and respect him, it shows in your writing even as you share his fallen, human qualities and the effects on your relationship. I admire that. It's not easy to do. Some women totally disrespect their spouses in writing, which obviously is not good. Most loving, respectful wives won't say a peep and would have us believe they somehow married a perfect man! Your balance is good and encouraging to myself and many others, I'm sure. You also take this approach with your own behavior/attitudes, which although a little easier, is still hard to do! Thanks for keepin' it real, Melissa. God bless.

~Kaleesha~
daisyblend@hotmail.com