Spoiled brat.
Glory Bee, waiting to be milked. I tried to tell her the time changed and I’m really not late if it was yesterday. Right?
Several people have asked about Rodney. I don’t like to go into a ton of detail for the sake of his privacy, but I can give you an update, and thank you for asking! Some of you may remember that in June of last year he had a very bad vehicle accident while driving a work truck. He was in ICU for a week, and in total, was in the hospital for over a month. That incident, and subsequent recovery, explains a lot of my absence here. I was at the hospital every single day, and since he got out of the hospital, there have been a lot of doctor visits and therapy appointments, and so on. Needless to say, this was the most important thing in my life. Taking care of him, and helping him to recover. Almost nine months later, while his life will never be exactly the same as before the accident, he is certainly doing better. He’s walking, getting around, etc. He hasn’t been able to go back to work, but fortunately has been well taken care of by workers comp.
It was definitely a life-changing accident in a lot of ways, for both of us. It was hard for me to find time to squeeze in work, for a long time, much less anything else. Then just as things began settling down, the holidays and mass orders hit. I was working ’round the clock. As this early spring comes on, things are finally settling down all around. Etsy does keep busy all the time (thank goodness! visit my shop!), and I’ve been milking Glory Bee these days and starting to enjoy actual free time. I hadn’t had any free time in so long, I didn’t know what to do with it, but it seemed like a good time to rest. I decided to learn how to sit down and do nothing, at least on the weekends when I’m not baking and shipping.
I figured out how to use Netflix (I know, I’m so behind the times because I’ve hardly ever had time to watch TV for years) and forced myself to start binge watching just to keep my feet off the floor. I watched all the Grace & Frankie seasons then Rodney and I discovered Longmire and watched every season of that. I told Morgan I’d watched an entire series in three weeks and she said, “Three weeks to finish a series is weak sauce, mom. You gotta finish it in under week if you want to keep up with the millenials.” She was not impressed! That was a lot of TV for me, though. Then we watched all of Hell on Wheels in two weeks. Though I think I still can’t keep up with millennial-style binge watching, I’m doing better at doing nothing. By the way, I highly recommend all three of those shows–very binge-worthy–and if you have any to recommend, let me know!
Eventually, though, I decided it was time to get off the couch. And back to the computer. Find out if I still knew how to write. A few other quick updates—Morgan will graduate this spring with degrees in English and History, and has been accepted into the direct-admit PhD program (in History) at WVU. (She is such a smartypants!) Ross is still going to WVU, too, and Weston gets out of the Army in two months, yay!!! I’m not sure where he’s going, but he will also be going back to college. Thank you for asking about them, also!
There are other changes I’ll be writing about soon. Another reason for my increasing absence here has been my Too Many Jobs problem. Several years ago I added workshops in addition to writing. Then I added my Etsy shop job. How many jobs can one person do (and do well)? Not three, I’m pretty sure. Last summer and fall, in particular, it became very difficult to keep up. Something had to go. With orders pouring in, workshops already scheduled, and a crucial need for my time and attention at home with Rodney, writing was what had to go. While things have settled down in that situation as his recovery has gone on, we made a number of decisions about our life together and our future. A life-altering event tends to help you re-evaluate everything, you know? While I may offer workshops again, either private workshops or regular scheduled ones, for now, I’ve decided to set workshops aside to focus on my Etsy shop and get back to writing. I need to cut down the number of jobs I’m trying to work in order to give my best to the jobs I choose to continue. Through all this, and nearly losing someone I love, I also was reminded that it’s important to leave yourself some time in your life to just enjoy it. Life can change in an instant. Take time to binge watch with the one you love.
Meanwhile, I’d really like to be a writer again!
boulderneigh says:
I’ve MISSED your writing! But your absence here is understandable; so glad that Rodney is on the mend, the kiddos are forging ahead, and you are learning to take care of yourself.
On March 11, 2018 at 11:07 am
lindat says:
What a morning blessing to find your post today! So glad you are returning to writing, like seeing an old friend! Good to know Rodney is doing better, the kids are moving forward and you have found your bounds, As we all need to stretch but never break ….boundaries! Welcome Back!!
On March 11, 2018 at 11:15 am
perry says:
So glad your live is getting better. Have worried about you and glad to see you post. Your children are doing so well. I am sure you are very proud. Give them all a thumbs up from me. Praying for full recovery for Rodney and continuing success with your writing. It is good to take time for yourself.
On March 11, 2018 at 11:19 am
Mim says:
Glad to hear that Rodney is on the mend…Going to miss coming to a workshop this year but glad to see you take some time for you…Enjoy today and all of your tomorrows…Hope to continue to see your posts :chicken: :cowsleep: :wave:
On March 11, 2018 at 11:27 am
alosyu says:
I was so delighted to see your post this morning. I have checked it every day and sorely missed you. Very happy to know that you are well,that Rodney is recovering well, and your kids are forging ahead. Yes, live a day at a time and live it to the fullest, the way it makes you and those you love happy. And I am very pleased, for selfish reasons, that writing is one of the jobs you wish to continue!
On March 11, 2018 at 11:27 am
GA_in_GA says:
Seeing your post with good things going on in your life is a wonderful way to start my day.
On March 11, 2018 at 11:58 am
merng says:
Thank you for the update! I highly recommend Nurse Jackie for binge watching.
On March 11, 2018 at 12:20 pm
PinkyMac says:
Thank you for the update. Life happens, doesn’t it? May the smooth seas continue for you :wave:
On March 11, 2018 at 1:01 pm
wildcat says:
I’m so glad to hear that you, Rodney, and the kids are doing well. I have missed seeing your farm updates!
For binge watching, I am currently hooked on Call the Midwife. I also watched the whole series of The Gilmore Girls and Mad Men.
On March 11, 2018 at 2:01 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Oh, I forgot to mention Call the Midwife! We watched all of that one, too! Waiting for the new season this fall? I think.
On March 11, 2018 at 2:17 pm
GrammieEarth says:
So glad to hear that Rodney is on the mend and the ‘kids’ are doing well. I have certainly missed your posts. Thrilled to hear that you are setting some boundries. You have to take care of you.
:sheep: GrammieEarth
On March 11, 2018 at 2:21 pm
cabynfevr says:
I didn’t know about Rodney. My goodness 😱 I’m happy to hear he is doing better! It’s so very nice to be reading you again. I missed you!! 😘
On March 11, 2018 at 3:09 pm
brookdale says:
So happy to read your post today! Happy to hear Rodney is recovering. Best wishes to him. And, glad to hear news of the kids too.
We watched all of Longmire, too, love that one! I also like Cedar Cove, have you seen that one? It’s based on Debbie Macomber’s novels. You probably know her!
Again, very happy that you’re posting again!
On March 11, 2018 at 4:38 pm
beforethedawn says:
Been reading your blog for too many years to give up on ya without a goodbye post from you! I’m glad things are okay.
Hubby and I watched Gray’s Anatomy on netflix. We got to season 11 and he saw an online ad for season 14. We had no idea this show was still going! So now we must wait out bew episodes. Lol
On March 11, 2018 at 6:35 pm
Ronni says:
So glad to see your post , think of you so often as you have been part of my reading enjoyment for many years now. Sounds like all is well and you are finding a new normal . Caring for someone you love isn’t always easy but it is so satisfying for the heart & soul. YEAH MORGAN ! I’ll be on the watch for more news of all the critters , kinda miss those too. I’m wishing you a smooth road ahead for Rodney’s continued recovery and for you learning how to take a bit of me time.
On March 11, 2018 at 6:54 pm
DeniseS says:
Since getting on Facebook, I have been seeing your updates there as you have added them. Today when I saw you had written, I decided to do it the old fashion way and come back to your site. I am happy to hear Rodney is on the mend and doing better with each passing day, that you are reorganizing what is most important to you and that writing will be on that list of keepers. You have had quite a year. Will be watching for more news from you. God Bless.
On March 11, 2018 at 7:41 pm
Pat says:
OMG! It’s so wonderful to see a post from you, Suzanne, and to learn that you are hanging in there. Glad that Rodney is improving. My goodness, the news about Morgan! That girl is awesome; please share congratulations from John and me. Great news about the boys, too. Selfishly, I’m glad your writing will continue. I hope to visit your Etsy shop later this spring—like you need yet another order to bake! You are one awesome lady. Happy spring!
On March 11, 2018 at 8:09 pm
rurification says:
I’m so happy to get this update and to find that you and Rodney are getting on well. I think about you often and am happy that you have successes to choose from. Soooo glad we will see more of you here!
On March 11, 2018 at 8:15 pm
Malkel says:
Hi Suzanne! I’ve enjoyed reading you for years–and living the farm life vicariously. So glad to see you posting again. And very happy your life is settling down and your loved ones are well.
On March 11, 2018 at 11:37 pm
margiesbooboo says:
Hi Suzanne! Good to see you again. Sometimes life really sucks. My oldest brother retired last Jan 27, years textted me on March 20th he was in the hospital, & on April 11 I let him go. He was my oldest, closest friend. I’ve been grieving his loss while doing his estate in Florida. We had plans for the future. He talked me into getting bees and I’ve been fooling around with them this last year too. Beni Holley told me she took a course from you last year. I e been doing some painting nights as a little art therapy & she does a paint your pet night. As for binge watching, TURN was fantastic.
I think of you and your farm quite a bit. Glad to hear your kids are doing well. Oh! My daughter Sarah is moving to Austin! Remember her? Tall, quite,blond? She’s leaving St Louis and moving to Australia
She can swing dance to her hearts content. Why the hell not? Life is so short.
Love ya gal glad to see you back!
On March 12, 2018 at 10:50 am
margiesbooboo says:
Stupid autocorrect and my fat thumbs.
Sarah is moving to AUSTIN
Try to read past the errors to understand my post. 🙂
On March 12, 2018 at 10:54 am
yvonnem says:
Thank you so much for this post – it’s exactly what I have be waiting and hoping to hear!!! :snoopy: As you can tell, you have been missed by many and I can’t wait to read future posts. I loved Grace & Frankie and Longmire as well. I don’t know if you would like Shameless, but it hooked me!
Again, so glad you are back and everyone is doing well. :heart:
On March 12, 2018 at 7:12 pm
beth brown says:
I’m so glad to read a post from you! You’re right – there is a time that we all need to re-evaluate what is important and I’m so happy that you are on the good side of the process.
Beth aka oneoldgoat
On March 13, 2018 at 9:56 am
Louise says:
It is wonderful to hear from you again. I missed you so much. It is good to hear that things are getting better. Thank you so much for the update. Hope to see you post more in the future.
On March 14, 2018 at 11:48 am
Joell says:
:happyflower:
Thank you for the update on both you and Rodney. True love comes but once in a life time, sometime it takes a while to find it and when we do we need to hold on to it and take care of each other as you are doing for Rodney.It is amazing the strength we find when it is called for. God bless you both.
On March 14, 2018 at 12:57 pm
beckyb says:
I have been wondering about you! Thanks for the update on Rodney. My prayers for recovery will continue. Time does fly! I can’t believe Weston is about to finish his military stint! It seems like yesterday he joined! (Though I am sure it seems a lot longer to you!) Take care and try to keep us posted! :sheepjump:
On March 16, 2018 at 2:15 pm
dl30f0dls says:
You’re really back? I had all but given up hoping you’d ever blog again.
I’ve always enjoyed your writing, and I’m so glad you’re back in the saddle again.
On March 16, 2018 at 3:52 pm
Karo says:
Neither are new but I loved Friday Night Lights and Six Feet Under.
On March 16, 2018 at 4:30 pm
Karo says:
Oh, and for something light and sweet, The Great British Baking Show. Though Rodney might not like that one.
On March 16, 2018 at 4:31 pm
Maureen Child says:
I’m so glad to hear you and your best loved people are well and reclaiming their lives. I’m really glad you’re taking care of yourself and making the time to enjoy the life you built.
Updates are always welcome, but more importantly, take the time to relax and love and laugh.
Oh, and we’re ALWAYS writers……you’ll be back.
On March 16, 2018 at 4:32 pm
Dana says:
And thank goodness because you are a writer! And as you can tell you have been very, very, very missed. You are so honest Suzanne and sharing. And you have a birthday around now very soon I think? Happy Birthday if I am right, if not well my memory has had its moments lately 🙂
On April 6, 2018 at 2:59 am