A Day At Button Farm

My daughter and I spent this last weekend volunteering at Button Farm in Germantown, Maryland. My employer made me aware of this place as I have been living in the DC Metro area for a while now and never knew that it existed in my own backyard.

Button Farm is an old 60 acre plantation that is part of the Underground Railroad Immersion project. It depicts a 19th century slave plantation. My daughter and I spent time weeding, planting and covering our plants with hay. We planted tomatoes, bell peppers, potatoes and greens. The harvest will go to 12 different families who co-op with the farm and the proceeds from the sales go to the upkeep of the plantation.

Most of my co-workers were in awe that I was out there bending, kneeling, sitting on the ground, digging in the Earth with my 9 month old strapped to the front of me. I told them this is how my ancestors did it. Some of them even gave birth in the fields. They labored all day long from sun up to sundown. So what I was doing seemed pretty darn easy. My daughter was never happier. Basking in the sun and marveling at a lady bug that I picked from a leaf to show her. She enjoyed digging her bare feet into the soil, touching it and at times sampling it. It was a beautiful experience indeed to hear her laugh with glee and smile big and wide with each new discovery.

After a long days work, we went in for our meal, compliments of Smokey Glen Farm. As I ate, I looked from one end of the plantation to the other thinking of how my ancestors worked that very land, sat where I was sitting, planted where I had planted. I imagined them walking in to the old slave house after toiling the fields. I looked at my little one who had passed out from all the excitement and gave God praise. He has brought us from a mightly long way. All praises to Him.

Continued Blessings,
Meek

Cutting Down on Mommy Guilt

This past mother's day marked one of the few times that I didn't run away from home on said momentous occasion. No. I stayed here and instead asked my husband to take the kids out with him for a spell while I relaxed. He obliged and I did not feel guilty.

Wow what a change! In years past I'd worried about the kids feeling rejected or unloved if I didn't spend the day with them. I mean after all, I am their mother. Aren't I supposed to always be here no matter what? Shouldn't I revel in the bond I've created with them and feed their need for love and comfort? Well yes, but not 100% of the time. What mother can? Besides, I've learned that children don't even require all that we think they do. But they are good at overreacting. In other words, they are great manipulators. So when we look at their puppy dog eyes combined with the tremendous pressure we put on ourselves to be the perfect mom, it's no wonder we feel guilty.

I've now discovered how to can change that guilt into happiness. If we give all of our time they will still want more so why not find the amount they can live with. When we are spending at least 30 minutes of undivided attention with our child a day and providing food, shelter, clothing and above all -- love-- then there's no reason to wallow in guilt. Our children will continue to love us and will learn to respect our time because we are ever present and mentally tuned in to their needs, as well as, our own. Too much guilt will turn life into a nightmare for all by keeping moms grouchy, tired and unfulfilled. We need to give ourselves a pass to enjoy life outside of motherhood, without regret.

Many blessings,

Polly

Allergy Season

Tis the season for allergies. I have bragged to just about everyone I know about how I do not have seasonal allergies and it takes an awful lot for me to sneeze in regards to grass, pollen, ragweed and the like. Yes, I am blessed and fortunate I've told people because this stuff just does not bother me. Well that was until last week.

I had been warned by some that 'after the baby came I developed allergies' or 'I developed them when I was in my 30's' but somehow I thought I have gotten by, flew in under the radar. Well I'd say it was Tuesday, that the strangest thing happened. I walked from my car in the parking lot to the building I work in and begin to sneeze over and over again. My nose was clogged by the time I sat down at my desk and I had sinus pressure and itchy eyes. Oh now I thought to myself, let me pop a zyrtec (oh who am I kidding a generic zyrtec). I took it, but it did not help me in the least. I continued all day long feeling awful, skipped out on the gym and went home and straight down for a nap. The allergies have lingered on now with postnasal drip and a cough. I feel like I have a cold but I know what it really is....ALLERGIES!

So, do I dare say I am officially a seasonal allergy sufferer. Well not just yet. I will give it another whirl next year to see for sure. I don't want to have to count myself amongst those who look outside with dread at the blooming trees and flowers and cringe at the sight of yellow dust on their cars and windows. I want to open my windows and let fresh air in. I don't want to have to wear a face mask (like some of my coworkers do) to make it from the outside of the building to the inside. And I don't want to have to do a rain dance and pray it comes to wash all the pollen away and make things new again. No not me.

I want to work outside in the sun and come up with new plans and agendas for Polly & Meek. I want to vend outdoors with no fear of sneezing and wheezing all over the product and customers. I want to walk outside so I can expand my mind and come up with new and exciting ideas for the business. Luckily, seasonal allergies are just that...seasonal. They don't last always. Unpleasant things rarely do!

Continued Blessings,

Meek