The past few months have been a rollercoaster, filled with a spectrum of emotions ranging from exhilarating highs to profound lows. I’m certain many of you can relate to this whirlwind experience, adapting to constant changes and navigating new realities. It felt like the perfect moment to reconnect and share some personal updates, insights, and, most importantly, to hear from you. This post is a bit longer than usual – perhaps the lingering effects of pain medication are to blame (more on that below!). If you manage to read through it all, consider yourself deserving of a reward, like a handful of gourmet chocolate chips!
I’m eager to delve into a few topics that have been on my mind, but please know that your thoughts and experiences are what truly excite me. So, let’s dive into what’s been happening and then I can’t wait to read your comments.
1. A Journey Through Oral Health: My Recent Gum Graft Surgery
For quite some time, I’ve been dealing with gum recession on my lower front teeth. What started as a minor concern gradually worsened over the past year, likely exacerbated by my rather vigorous brushing habits and orthodontic work, which can sometimes contribute to gum issues as teeth shift. As our state has begun its phased reopening, I finally managed to secure an appointment with a periodontist. Following an assessment that revealed underlying bone deterioration, I was swiftly scheduled for gum graft surgery just two days ago.
Let me tell you, the experience has been incredibly challenging. The procedure involved taking tissue from the roof of my mouth – a section roughly two inches long – to graft onto my receded lower front gums. I currently have six stitches in the roof of my mouth, along with more stitches securing the graft in place. There are also a couple of additional stitches on another upper tooth where there was an overgrowth of bone and gum tissue. While I’d spare you the gruesome details and images, suffice it to say my face is significantly swollen and bruised, and the inside of my mouth feels quite raw and tender.
In moments of discomfort, my daughter Cam has been a true solace, parked by my side on the guest bed, reading story after story from her cherished book of tales.
Navigating the Challenges of Post-Surgery Recovery and Diet
Undoubtedly, the most difficult aspect of my recovery has been the dietary restrictions. Eating, or rather, the inability to eat normally, has been a significant source of frustration. I’m currently on a strict liquid and soft food diet for at least two weeks, likely longer, as I need to avoid chewing on the surgical sites for a full month. Given that the “surgery sites” span various parts of my mouth, this means a prolonged period of cautious eating. It’s honestly more disheartening than I anticipated. Pureed soups and broths, while nutritious, simply don’t offer the same satisfaction, and the anti-inflammatory and steroid medications have left me feeling a bit nauseous, making it even harder to find anything appealing.
But fear not, my culinary content will continue! I have a backlog of recipes already prepared and scheduled for publication. So, as new recipes pop up this month, and before you eagerly dig into them, please spare a brief moment of silence and perhaps a sympathetic thought for me, here on my regimen of bone broth. This experience has truly underscored the importance of oral health and the intricate process of recovery. I’m learning patience and gratitude for the simple act of chewing.
2. Embracing the Faux Farm Life: Our Miniature Donkey Adventure
Our family has recently welcomed two of the most adorable miniature donkeys you could ever imagine. My brother played a significant role in convincing me that investing in these charming farm pets would be a wonderful addition to our lives. Once I began researching, I was completely captivated by the idea. Pete and Harley, who have been inseparable best friends since birth, joined us almost a month ago, and it’s truly difficult to put into words how much joy and love they’ve brought into our home. They possess incredibly gentle dispositions, are remarkably intelligent, endlessly amusing, and came to us already trained to harness and pull a cart, among other impressive skills.
Expanding Our Homestead and Connecting with the Community
As we continue to expand our property and grow our animal family, I decided to create a small, somewhat eclectic Instagram account to document our “faux farm” adventures. You can follow along at @melsfauxfarm. The response has been incredibly positive, with a wonderful community forming around shared comments, feedback, and innovative ideas. It’s been inspiring to connect with others who appreciate the charm and challenges of small-scale homesteading.
Adding to our growing menagerie, we’re eagerly anticipating the arrival of Kunekune pigs in a little under two weeks. The excitement is palpable! If you’re curious about the origins of our faux farm journey and what led us down this delightful path, this Instagram post provides a bit of background. It’s been an unexpected but incredibly rewarding journey, teaching us so much about animal care, land management, and the simple joys of rural living.
For anyone who finds themselves drawn to the world of small farming and sustainable living, or even if you’re just looking for an entertaining and thought-provoking watch, I cannot recommend the documentary Biggest Little Farm enough. It’s a truly captivating and fascinating film that beautifully illustrates the complexities and rewards of building a biodiverse farm from scratch. Watching it also served as a humbling reminder that while our “faux farm” is a wonderful endeavor, we certainly have our hands full with what we’ve taken on already!
3. Diving into Great Reads: My Latest Book Discoveries
I recently immersed myself in the pages of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. Have you had the chance to read it? This novel left a significant impression on me; I thoroughly enjoyed it, even through its increasingly poignant and sometimes disheartening sections. It’s a deeply thought-provoking narrative that explores various themes on multiple levels. In a similar vein, last year I discovered Giver of the Stars, another exceptional book that delves into the inspiring true stories of the women packhorse librarians in Kentucky. Both books paint vivid pictures of resilience, community, and the profound impact of literature in challenging times, particularly highlighting the invaluable role of these courageous women who brought books to isolated communities.
Current Reads and Enduring Non-Fiction Favorites
My current literary escape is Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon, an author whose previous work, What the Wind Knows, I thoroughly enjoyed. Harmon has a remarkable ability to craft engaging historical narratives with compelling characters. Reading has been a fantastic way to unwind, learn, and experience different worlds, especially during these unpredictable times.
What have you been reading lately? I’m always on the lookout for excellent recommendations, so please share your favorites! For a non-fiction gem, I cannot overstate how much I valued Mindset by Carol Dweck. It’s a book that truly reshaped my perspective on growth and potential, and I owe a huge thank you to those of you who recommended it in a previous Friday Thoughts post. It’s a foundational read for anyone interested in personal development and understanding the power of perspective.
4. Nurturing Independence: Teens, Summer Jobs, and Financial Literacy
The topic of teenagers, summer jobs, and money management is rich enough for an entire dedicated post, but it’s certainly on my mind as summer kicks off and Idaho progressively reopens. For years, we’ve actively encouraged our teenagers to seek out summer employment once they turn 13, with working hours adjusted, of course, to their age and capabilities. Our goal is for them to not only earn their own money but also to experience working for someone else, or even for themselves, fostering a strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility.
Watching our eldest head off for his first day at a new job was a proud moment, marking another step towards his independence.
Summer Employment Highlights and Emerging Entrepreneurs
This year, I’m thrilled to report that all three of our teenagers have successfully secured some form of summer work. This is a huge relief, as I’ve learned from experience that bored teenagers around the house can quickly become a recipe for disaster! Here’s a quick rundown of their endeavors:
- Our 16-year-old is dedicating 30-35 hours a week to a distribution company. While he isn’t entirely thrilled about the evening shifts, which sometimes mean missing out on social events with friends, the pay and work environment are excellent. He shared a great coping mechanism: when he’s feeling less enthusiastic, he reminds himself, “I’d rather be doing this than corn topping.” (If you know, you know – it’s a classic summer job for teens in our area, often less glamorous!)
- Our 14-year-old has landed a job at the same horse ranch where his brother worked last year, tackling tasks like shoveling manure and raking paddocks. He’s currently working about 10 hours a week. However, once our Kunekune pigs arrive, a significant portion of his weekly work hours will be dedicated to them, as he invested his savings account money into purchasing the pigs and will largely be in charge of their care. It’s a fantastic lesson in investment and responsibility.
- Our soon-to-be 13-year-old is eagerly planning to revive his cookie dough selling business from last year (you can find a few details about that here). He’s even considering hooking up our miniature donkeys to a cart to sell his delicious wares, adding a unique, charming twist to his entrepreneurial venture!
Implementing a Trial Money Management System for Teens
As our oldest is only 16, we’re very much in the learning phase of teaching advanced money management. However, drawing insights from other families, we’ve decided to help our children set up their own checking accounts and debit cards once they turn 16. (They all have savings accounts already, but these accounts are primarily for long-term saving, not for everyday spending.)
In a shift from a traditional monthly allowance (which is quite minimal in our household and not tied to chores), once they turn 16, I’ll deposit a fixed amount of money into their new checking account. This fund is intended to cover expenses that I previously would have automatically funded for them, such as deodorant, socks, underwear, other personal care items, and my half of their gas money. The idea is to give them direct control and responsibility over these common expenditures.
The beauty of this system lies in its natural consequences. If they opt to spend that money on other desired items – for instance, fishing lures – there’s a distinct possibility they might find themselves a bit stinky in the armpits until the next month’s deposit rolls around! It’s a practical way to teach budgeting, prioritization, and the real-world implications of financial choices. We believe these early experiences with managing their own funds will lay a strong foundation for future financial independence.
We’re certainly keen to see how this system unfolds. As I often say, my life motto is: “fake it ’til you make it,” and that definitely applies to this parenting venture! We’re learning as we go. How do you manage summer jobs and teach money management with your own children? Your experiences and tips would be invaluable.
As a side note for those seeking summer schedule inspiration, I touched upon it in a previous post here, and the comments section is filled with fantastic ideas and discussions. Our system evolves slightly each year to accommodate the changing ages and needs of our kids, but it consistently adheres to a core principle: a balanced mix of structured activities and routines, generously interspersed with ample free time. Lately, our children have been absorbed for hours learning magic tricks, mastering card tricks, and honing their balloon-tying skills, thanks to a bin of old supplies gifted by a dear friend. Here’s hoping these engaging pursuits keep them happily occupied all summer long!
5. Reflecting on Recent Months: A Community Fill-in-the-Blank
I know this post has been quite lengthy, and I truly appreciate you sticking with me until the end! I wanted to conclude with a little fill-in-the-blank exercise, as our last one together yielded such insightful, enlightening, and at times, hilariously relatable responses. It’s a wonderful way to connect and share our individual journeys.
So, here it is:
“If I’ve learned one thing from the past few months, it is __________________”
My answer(s) would be:
- I have been profoundly humbled witnessing the endless dedication and service of healthcare workers and the emergence of good humanity around the world. It’s a testament to the resilience and compassion within us.
- I definitely need to stash more chocolate chips in the pantry. They’re an essential comfort item, especially during unexpected challenges.
- Life is truly full of the unexpected; I am resolved to try harder to love, appreciate, and live each day to the fullest, embracing every moment with gratitude and presence.
Thank you so much for being here and for being an integral part of this community. Your presence and engagement mean more than words can express. I hope you know how much I appreciate each and every one of you.