Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Are you wondering about this photo? I took it because it was such a crazy-busy year that I told my sister-in-law that I wasn’t going to get a tree or decorate.  Her words to me were, “I can’t imagine Christmas without a tree.”

Those words swirled through my mind as I drove down the highway.  At a roadside stand I spotted the cutest wild-cut tree. Of course I bought it and strapped it on. But life took over and three days later the tree was still atop my car! I hadn’t had time to take it down. So…I had to put lights on it and take this picture to share with you–to put a smile to your face and bring joy to your day.

And here’s a snapshot of why life has been so crazy.

Whew! That is my word for 2019. It was the busiest year of my life.

While working my regular job, farming my small acreage, and squeezing in some writing, I designed my home and barn.

After having an engineer and a couple other designers help me, I acted as the general contractor on both projects. I hired subcontractors and had both buildings built on my farm.

During the days I was the one running to the lumber yard gathering supplies, only to discover an hour after I got back that the guys needed something else.  Off I’d go again. In the evenings and on the weekends I was a laborer on the project as well.

I literally didn’t have time to eat or sleep. By October I was falling asleep while standing up. But the great thing was that I lost what I call the “middle ages” around my middle, slimming down so much that I fit in my favorite jeans again.

At the beginning of November, even though the wooden trim wasn’t up around the doors or windows and there weren’t any closet rods in the closets (my winter projects), I moved in. Wahoo!

I never could have done it all without my faithful friends, who encouraged me and showed up to stain my barn and sand and stain nearly 200 2×6’s for the wrap-around-deck. Others helped me move–a priceless gift. Thank you!

Thank you to all of my prayer warriors who stood in the gap for me while I battled through many many TOUGH days as a single woman running crews of construction guys, especially at the end when I was so exhausted and almost lost SkySong, my saddle horse, to a mysterious illness. Thank God SkySong has fully recovered.

I never could have done it without God’s wisdom or love. He led me to hire an incredible team of laborers.

I am so grateful and blessed beyond my wildest dreams.

My New Year’s Resolution=SLEEP

So therefore–even if life is crazy-busy–Remember to Keep Joy in Your Christmas.

Love to you all,

Rebecca