Well my great friends at Shockwave.com have decided to let me also feature my blog on The Spark. I am really excited to share my words with all of you and I hope you enjoy my blog as much as you do my adventures! Below is my most recent post! Thanks for reading and there will be a new post from me on The Shockwave Spark every week!
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Carrie The Caregiver: Ripe For Picking!
Phew! What a day… now I totally understand why they say moving is one of life’s biggest stresses.
The truck showed up late, we got lost along the way, and the new house is a complete and total mess… but at last we’re here and the worst is behind us. Thankfully, we had no trouble hooking up our Internet access. I don’t think I could handle country living without my lifeline to the outside world! By the way, please please PLEASE feel free to shoot me a line anytime you like – just knowing you guys are out there reading my blog and supporting me gives me strength! 
Since Will and I need to put the store together A.S.A.P and start learning the ropes, I asked Safi and Peter to tackle the mountains of boxes over the next few days, while Grettle looks after Pearl. (She grabbed the baby the instant we arrived and wouldn’t let her go!). Just seeing Grettle with my kids warms my heart. My mom died when I was young, so she really is like a grandmother to them.
Boy, am I wiped out. Was going to play some guitar under the stars, but I think I’ll turn in instead… tomorrow’s going to be another crazy day. The berries are ripe on the but she’s and ready to be picked, so it’s now or never! Plus, we’ve got to get started on those jars… and they have to be pretty, too, so painting them is super-important. Hey – if I’m going to give Martha Stewart a run for her money, I better be prepared! 
First night in the new place… feels kinda weird, you know? Or maybe it’s just nerves… we’ve put it all on the line for this family adventure, and I’m not quite sure what we’ll do if things don’t work out.
August 12, 1:09 PM: Work and Rest
Well, our first couple days have been an absolute whirlwind so far, but we have come through with flying colors… and not just because those darn berries have stained everything red!
Who knew picking fruit would be so hard? My poor Will has been burning the proverbial candle at both ends, doing double duty with me in the orchard during the day and then fixing up our place at night. I must admit, he’s not the only one feeling his age – my back’s been killing
When I complained to Grettle, she just laughed, “Been there, done that!” She remembers picking fruit for her Grandmother’s famous pies and jams every summer when she was young. She even dug out an old black and white photo of the two of them in overalls… so cool. Maybe I’ll frame it and hang it up in the store in their honor…
Hard to believe, but business is already booming and we haven’t even gotten through our second day!. Once folks taste our fruit, it seems like they always come back for more! And we’re finally getting the hang of making those jam jars, too, now that we have a system worked out. This week, things should go even smoother, thanks to those handy roller skates we finally unpacked. My handy hubby also built a shelf this morning to keep stocked with jars. Having a place to put stuff in advance should help prevent things from getting too out of hand.
And for those moment when they do? Like I told Will, you’re no good to anyone unless you take care of yourself first. Take a break, relax in the chair I put out, or have a snack, even if it’s just a price of fruit or a power bar. It’s the number-one rule of Caregiving!
Gotta run… I have to get lunch on the table. Safi and Grettle made a beautiful pie for dessert and the aroma is simply irresistible…
no se como jugar?
i love this game
Hurry and come to Shockwave, Carrie!!!