Hello!

So, I will admit for the past 2 years that I have forgotten about this blog. I can't believe that I last wrote on here in April of 2017. 😮 Life has been crazy to say the least. I hope to write more on here. I'm going to be going through some good changes in my life and I'm wanting to write about each of my new life phases. I will write a blog post about Jason (my boyfriend manfriend) later.

What happened to the Farners Daughter (Part 3)

(WARNING: Read at your own risk. You may want to take a break in between and drink some water. This is going to be a long post!. Just giving you fair warning.)

~ Continuation to Part 2 ~

While my sister was here over Christmas, we took another mini trip to the Conecuh National Forest and .....

 

 Shouldn't that go without saying?? I guess that common sense is none existent nowadays ... which is sad

Taking a picture of Anna taking a picture of Lia

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....... then we came here to the

My sister has a love for long leaf pine trees (native to our area). You hardly know what one looks like unless you have studied it and you know what to look for. I posted a link above but you can also learn more by clicking here.

Anna and Lia standing in a field of long leaf pines

Lia and I having fun!

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Well, I'm done writing all the different parts to this story. I hope that y'all had as much fun reading this as I did reliving all the memories and typing this out!

A Little Bit about the Farmers Daughter

I know that I’ve had this blog for a while and even though I don’t need an introduction, I’d like to tell y’all something about me.

I would like to tell y’all a secret. A secret that if I wouldn’t tell, y’all may never know.

The secret is that I have a part of a chromosome that is missing. It’s called a chromosome deletion.

The deletion I have is so rare that it doesn’t have a name, it just has a number. The number is: 10q26.3 (try googling it if you don’t believe me). That means that the tip of my 10q26 chromosome is missing at 26.3 (I’m only on aware of one person in England that has it). Like I said, you would have never known my secret if I hadn’t of told you because you can’t see it with the naked eye. 

My chromosome deletion effects my cognitive and motor skills (which is why I’m not good at sports). OK, I was semi good at volleyball (for a year or two) but, that was because I had a good coach who worked with me.

A baby example that my Mom often gives is: When I was a baby, I got a spanking for coloring on the wall in the den. I learned that I was not allowed to do that but, it didn’t register that I was not supposed to color on the walls in the hall either so, I got another spanking

Math is another example … Don’t get me started on that. I can do basic stuff like adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing but when it comes to the word problems, I start struggling because I don’t understand.

My Mom is always saying “You have to give me some time to figure out a way to explain this so you can understand.” or she’ll say “You just don’t. That’s it!” or “You just do. That’s it!”. Believe me, I’d like to be able to understand things. I think I can but please, don’t give me more information than I can handle. Tell me to do stuff one thing at a time. Be patient with me when it comes to euphemisms and abstract thinking.

I was scared to write this because I thought that people would think less of me but, this is the way God made me and He doesn’t make mistakes. I’m no longer holding back with God’s grace and mercy in my life. I’m no longer holding back on the things that God wants others to see through me.

By "no longer holding back", I mean that if someone comes up to me asking me about it, I'm not going to hid it from them. I'm going to be as honest as I can.

This Thing Called Life

My schedule has been so busy. I did not know that I even had a thing called a schedule until these past few months!!! It's CRAZY up in here! I've been so busy with daily life.

Mom and I keep Liam while Amy teaches and Will helps Daddy on the farm. Will goes to work and Liam's Momma comes and gets him from us and takes him home. The days that we keep him (everyday of the week) this is what happens: Wake up, get dressed, play with Liam, he goes down for nap, help Momma, attempt to do school, he wakes up, plays with him, he eats lunch, plays (sometimes naps) and then his Momma comes home!

Meanwhile ......

I get up, get dressed and go to the hospital to volunteer 2 times a week! Then, when a big storm comes up, I have another job (that reminds me, I better take the test!!).

On Mondays, I schedule appointments (doctor, chiropractor, dentist, etc). On Wednesdays, I have Church. So, I go in from 12-4:30, run errands, rush home, put groceries away and hop in the car with Mom and Dad and away we go to church! I teach 1st and 2nd graders so, I'm exhausted by the time that day is over.

This month is extra crazy cause, well, I'm leaving to go out of town for a week (next month) AND I said that I'd help with VBS which is the week before I leave!! Granted it is for 3 days but, that is pushing it to close!! I must have been outta my mind!! Now, for the VBS peeps who might be reading this: I don't regret saying yes .....  I will love EVERY minute of it!! Tomorrow is training!

OH, and did I mention that my sweet NEPHEW IS TURNING 1?!?!?!?!?! Yep, a day of traveling to get family from airports! Seriously, this month is CRAZY!

I'm so excited for going outta town! I'm so excited to get to see a friend (maybe) that I've not seen in 3 years!! I'm ready to go!! WOOHOO!!

First though ...... is volunteering! Monday morning, I'm hittin' the ground runnin'! No holes barred! Excitement is kicking in!! Keeping my brain busy with school and everything else is just what I need!




Oh, and just in case you did not see my status on FB: I cleared out my first drain! Yep, it was clogged with gunk but, I cleared it! BOOYAH!! I DON'T NEED A MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!




I hop that y'all enjoy this post. I'm so sorry that I've not written in a loooooooooong time but, like this post is saying, I've been busy with life!


*goes to fold laundry so that I can get in bed*

I'm simply burstin' !!

Even though its only been a couple of weeks, it still seems like forever since I have written on here!! True, I have written posts on here that remain unfinished but, that is because I come up with an idea but then I feel like it is not worth my time to write it so I desert it altogether. Now, I have something that I can write!!

Thursday: June 7 ~ To make a blog post shorter ..... My friend Carlee and I were in town and were were headed home and my car tire decided to blow out on me. I called roadside assistance and they called a local towing company to come pick up my car and take it to the dealership to get it fixed. Meanwhile, I had called Momma and she came to our rescue and picked us up and took us to run errands before she took us to the dealership to pick up my car.. Let me just give a shout out to SOLOMON CHEVROLET in DOTHAN, ALABAMA!! Mr Holmes (the service manager) is great!!! He takes really good care of me and my family with our automotive needs!! I'm a chevy girl through and through!!

Monday - Friday: June 4-8 ~ Vacation Bible School. Our theme this year was "Amazing Wonders Aviation". I was the co-teacher for 4th Grade. We had so many 4th graders that they had to add on extra classes. All together there were 3 4th grade classes! What a blessing it was to know that we had to add on classes!! I learned alot in VBS. I thought that it was only for kids but, it is also for us "big" people. I learned alot of songs that have actually stuck this year (as apposed to the years before). I'm wanting to post some of the songs on here but, I'm afraid this blog is already going to be to long.

Saturday: June 9 ~ Nothing happened on Saturday that I can remember

Sunday: June 10 ~ A big storm came through. I took several pictures (and one video) of the storm and clouds but, right now I'm experiencing technical difficulties in getting them from my phone to the computer so, I shall post them later! Wait, maybe I can email them to me from my phone ...... hmmm ........... OK!! I give up! I shall try to upload those pictures tomorrow!!! I'm to tired tonight!! Good night!! God bless!!

The Original Un-edited Post for LP's Blog

Hi! My name is Kate Kirkland and I am a volunteer here at Landmark Park.

I have been volunteering since 2004 to the present day.

When I first started volunteering, I helped with the washing of the clothes. I demonstrated how people would have washed clothes during the turn of the century. I would build the fire, bring the water almost to a boil then I would put the clothes in the big, massive cast iron kettle (that is always behind the Waddell House) and put lye soap in there. To get all the “stains” out of the clothes, I would use a stick (that I used to stir with) and I would move the clothes to a wooden stump and start to beat them! One gentlemen who knew me well said that I must have been mad at my brother that day because I was beating the clothes so hard! J If the “stains” did not come out, I would put them back in the almost boiling water

In my humble opinion, I don’t know how they washed with Lye soap b/c it felt so greasy to me …..

Then after a few years, I tried my hand at the syrup tasting table. Well, I got bored really easily! I’m a people person and not very many people would come by there and I love people and want to be around them.

After the washing demonstration and the syrup tasting table, I feel like I have found my calling!! It is with playing my violin with a bunch of dulcimer players!! They so graciously allowed me to play with them. I say graciously because I am not good by any stretch of the imagination. I am not a concert violinist!! The dulcimer players have what they call a “Jam Session” every 1^st Saturday of every month. I try to go when I can! The session is for non-experienced or experienced dulcimer players (or in my case, violin players)!!

The Origianl Unedited Post for LP's Blog

Hi! My name is Kate Kirkland and I am a volunteer here at Landmark Park.

I have been volunteering since 2004 to the present day.

When I first started volunteering, I helped with the washing of the clothes. I demonstrated how people would have washed clothes during the turn of the century. I would build the fire, bring the water almost to a boil then I would put the clothes in the big, massive cast iron kettle (that is always behind the Waddell House) and put lye soap in there. To get all the “stains” out of the clothes, I would use a stick (that I used to stir with) and I would move the clothes to a wooden stump and start to beat them! One gentlemen who knew me well said that I must have been mad at my brother that day because I was beating the clothes so hard! J If the “stains” did not come out, I would put them back in the almost boiling water

In my humble opinion, I don’t know how they washed with Lye soap b/c it felt so greasy to me …..

Then after a few years, I tried my hand at the syrup tasting table. Well, I got bored really easily! I’m a people person and not very many people would come by there and I love people and want to be around them.

After the washing demonstration and the syrup tasting table, I feel like I have found my calling!! It is with playing my violin with a bunch of dulcimer players!! They so graciously allowed me to play with them. I say graciously because I am not good by any stretch of the imagination. I am not a concert violinist!! The dulcimer players have what they call a “Jam Session” every 1^st Saturday of every month. I try to go when I can! The session is for non-experienced or experienced dulcimer players (or in my case, violin players)!!

Update to my last post

Well, Life is throwing me a curve ball and killing me at the same time!!!

I contacted Itunes (via email) and they are going to reimburse me a certain amount of money in 5-7 days.

However, last month SiriusXM radio called me and wanted to extend my subscription with them for 6 months at a set price. I could not refuse $30 for 6 months!! They are not going to charge my debit card until the 20th of July!! Which is: TOMORROW!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!!!

Now, the money from Itunes is not here yet and I AM NOT going to call my Mom to bail me out!! I cried last time I did cause I as so embarrassed!!! Anyway, I have some money that my boyfriend (Marc) owed me so, I am going to go tomorrow and drive to Headland and put it in the bank so that my account will not be over drawn!!!

I thought that all my troubles were over!!!!!

A Recent Conversatin that I had With Mom

So, I called Mom and asked her to put something in the mailbox for me ad this is the conversation that followed that conversation. It went something like this:

Mom: Are you going to go to school tonight?

Kate: I dont know.

Mom: You dont know? Why aren't you going to school tonight?

Kate: 'Cause math is getting so hard!

Mom: Well, you HAVE to go to school. You didnt come this far just to give up did you?

Kate: No. Besides, Mrs. Vickie and Mr. Larry (my teacher and her husband) WILL NOT let me quit

Mom: Well, if you dont go to school then you will have to move back home where I can control you.

Kate: Mom, I'm just joking

Dad yells to Mom from other room: Tell Kate that if she wants to continue getting gas here at the farm then she HAS to go to school

Its Blogging Time ... Again

Well, how can I say this .... I AM MOVING!!!!!

That's right ladies and gentlemen!!!!! Kate is moving out of her parents house and in with a friend over the summer!!!!!

Her name is Jessica McLaughlin and I have known her for 3 1/2 years AND to all those concerned ... YES, my parents have agreed to this!!!!!

I cant wait to move. I realize that this might be of some surprise but, its not really. Atleast to me it isn't!!!

I've been praying about this for months now. God has opened up a door for me to "try" living on my own without my parents having to buy me a apartment and furnishing it.

I am saying now that I can't wait to move out but, I am sure that when I actually do move out, I will be saying that I cant wait to get back home!!!

Pray for me as I make this new transition!!

Another thing .... I am going to save a bundle (ok, maybe not a bundle but, I am going to save a lot) on gas since my school is only going to be 5 miles away instead of 30 (from my home in Headland)!!!!! I still will have to drive to Headland 1 time a week (to teach on Wednesday nights) but, that will only be til the end of May!! I will also have to drive to Newville (a small rinky-dink town outside of Headland) to go to church.

I am going to save on gas since my new car gets 38-40 (if I drive right) MPG!!!!!



Please everyone remember all the devastation in the Northern part of Alabama!!! Especially the Tuscaloosa and the Birmingham area!!! Please pray for the the states that have been ravaged with tornadoes!!! Also, please pray for Texas!!! They need rain so badly!!!!!



Adios for now!!!!! I have to go start packing!!!!! Did I mention that I move in tomorrow?????

Good bye blue .... Hellooooooooooo white!!!!!

Today, I went and purchased my very first car! I have no payments and I paid for it all myself (well, almost)!!!! I'm so happy that I do not have any car payments!!!

The Lord has truly blessed us with this car by giving us a offer that we really could not refuse!! Well, I guess that Daddy could have but, I am glad that he didnt!!!

Good bye, Blue!! *sniffles* I'm sorry, but I've found a new love *jumps for joy*.
I hope you enjoy your new home wherever that may be.

*****Pictures of the inside of the car may come later. I have not decided yet!*****

Its all about cars!!!

Today, Mom and I went car shopping. We looked at and drove a Nissan Salantra and we looked at and drove a Chevy Cruze.

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My pro list for the Chevy Cruze:

1. The right color is at the Chevy dealership

2. I like it!!!

3. It has wireless start. I can be in the house and crank up the car with the remote!! Cool beans!!! I guess since I lived this long without that I really don't need it but, it is a cool thing to have!!!

4. It has blue tooth technology

5. I can plug up my phone to the USB port that it has and listen to music from my phone!!!!

6. The seats contour to my tooshy

7. It handles the road well and it is the quietest car that I have ever road in!!!

8. IT HAS 10 AIRBAGS!!!!!

9. The steering column goes UP and DOWN and IN and OUT

10. Great lumbar support!!!

11. It has manual seat adjustments but, that is ok since I will be the ONLY ONE DRIVING IT :D

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My Con list for the Chevy Cruze:

1. The price!!! That might be the only thing that stops Daddy from buying it.

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My Pro list for the Nissan Salantra:

1. It has nice seating

2. It has O.K. lumbar support.

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The Con list for the Nissan Salantra:

1. The seating is hard on my tooshy!!

2. The steering column only goes up and down.

3. It only has 6 AIRBAGS


Oh, and Mom and I took Marc at to lunch!! We had fun and we ate at Moe's!!!

Courting

You know, I used to think that courtship was not all that it was cracked up to be. I guess because I really didn't know what it meant to "court" someone. Now that I am actually doing it, I think that it is great.

Over the years, I've heard both sides of the argument. I've had a friend that was not successful in his (first and only) courtship relationship that he just didn't do the courtship thing anymore. Then, my best friend did it and it was just perfect for her. Her and her husband are loving life and is soon going to be expecting a baby ... their first!!! :D

Courtship for me is perfect, I think. I'm loving the idea of being able to hang out with the guy and the guy hang out with me at each others house. A friend of mine told me one time that courtship is with the intent of marrying that person. If that is the case, then yes, I am courting and loving it!!!

My life is changing. I'm all of a sudden joining things (ok, one thing) that I had never thought of joining simply because I didn't want to go to the events all by myself. Now, I wont ever have to. His mom will always be able to go with me (when she is home).

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If this makes sense, Marc is the guy that I had been praying against. No, that does not sound right. Perhaps I had been praying for him to come but not realizing it.

**BACK STORY**

When my friends and I were little, they would always say that I would marry a farmer because I grew (and I am still growing) up on a farm. I'd always come back and say: "No, I ain't gonna marry no farmer!!" Now, I believe that my story has changed. I cant believe that I am actually courting a farmer!!!! I mean, really ..... Who woulda thunk it??? My friends, that's who!!!

**NOTE**

Marc is not a farmer as in he makes his living off the land but, he is a farmer none the less. He grows corn and peas and beans and such.