Category Archives: Friday Missions

I think it’s time for a…

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Fast Friday Mission!

Last week, my friend Greta of Gfunkified asked on Facebook if anyone used a running watch, and if so what their thoughts were…she was thinking of purchasing one for herself.

This really resonated with me, funny though it sounds, but running is very important to me and because Greta is planning to run FIVE HUNDRED MILES in 2013!

I happened to have a $30 running watch I bought at Target when I started training more seriously years ago. I haven’t used it in about six months because I downloaded the Nike running app for my iPhone.

So I sent it to Greta. I love running, and regular exercise has done so many wonderful things for me, my health, and my sanity (thereby helping my whole family). So I’m eager to encourage or support other runners or anyone beginning a new exercise regimen.

Do you have a hobby or skill and have acquired extra equipment over the years? It felt GREAT to pop that watch in the mail. Root around and see what you can find and pass it on to someone you know who is interested in the same activity. It could be scrapbooking materials, yarn or fabric, sheet music, a yoga mat, tennis balls, books you loved but are unlikely to read again in the next year. One of your friends, or a child or young adult you know, might be inspired by something you really aren’t using anymore.

Leave your mission accomplished tales in the comments and go brighten someone’s day!

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More of 2012 Corn Harvest AND a Friday Mission!

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The promised photos have been delivered:

I love seeing those pink boots and that Dora lunchbox out with the men.

This picture was taken during the cutting of a test plot. In order to test new varieties of seed, we plant several new types of corn side-by-side. This ensures that they are receiving the same weather, the same fertilizer, and are growing in the same environment. Farmers do this all over the country. It takes extra time to do a test plot – the planter is filled only a bit at a time and then different seed is loaded into it after each pass up and down the field. (A test plot is not an entire field. This test plot was just three passes.)

The same process is followed when it is time to harvest the new varieties of corn. The combine cuts a single pass at a time and augers it into the special cart pictured here, referred to as a ‘weigh wagon.’ It is a grain cart with it’s own scale, so our seed representative can record exactly how much that variety produced. At the end of the year, they will publish all their test plot results in order to help producers select which varieties they want to plant next spring. The weigh wagon then augers the corn into our truck (which will deliver it to the elevator we have sold it to) and the combine cuts the next variety.

Isn’t science grand?

Also, aren’t we cute?

Awwwwww. I heart him so much. I don't get to ride in the combine very often, so it's picture-worthy when I do.

It has been a while since we have had a Fast, Fun Friday Mission! How about today? This week, despite the fact that we are *literally* swamped, I have had two good friends reach out to me to see if we could get together. I couldn’t, but it sure made me feel great. Is there someone you know who is hanging by the skin of their teeth? Give them a call or send them a quick text or email just to say hi and ask how they are. It means a ton! OR, if you have a big change or a happy secret, share it with someone. I was told a happy secret this week and I’ve been on cloud nine for a friend of mine ever since then. Happiness is contagious, let’s spread some.

Email me at closeenoughblog@gmail.com or leave a comment letting us all know that you completed the mission. This message will self-destruct in ten seconds.

Okay, just kidding. Have a fabulous weekend! I also absolve myself of responsibility if you choose to share your happy secret with your friend who can’t keep any single thing to herself. I am an excellent secret keeper, in case you need a volunteer. xo

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Friday Mission

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I had two nice surprises last week.

My neighbor came to visit, which was a treat. She also brought red velvet cupcakes. Double treat!

And last Wednesday there was a box of beautiful apples on my porch, with a lovely note attached. My favorite part of the note:

“You inspire me to be a better wife and mother.”

***warm fuzzies***

I took a page from my neighbor’s book. I had ordered a box of juice-grade apples to put up applesauce. After I finished a batch, I enjoyed delivering a jar to the same neighbor and another of our friends ‘down the road’ who I knew would appreciate receiving something I made myself.

Do you have wonderful neighbors? Stop in sometime this next week to say hello. Maybe you could surprise them with a homemade treat.

Is there someone in your life who inspires you? Let them know.

And then, for heaven’s sake people, let me know! This is so much fun when everyone shares the nice things they are doing – it makes us all feel warm fuzzies.

Friday Mission Follow Up

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Sorry for my absence this past week!

Here is a follow-up from the most recent mission. I did not have a big response this time, but here are a few lovely replies:

From Stephanie:
“I did the Friday Challenge with an older kid – does that still count?”

Yes, it does, Stephanie. Way to go making someone who is younger than you feel good about themselves and your relationship with them.

And this beautiful comment from Samm:
“Two of my grandchildren were in their school talent show this past week. Knowing how much they love getting their own mail and knowing how well they did, I am sending along some notes of congratulations to them. :) They are wonderful special young people, these two.”

Congratulations, Samm, on your fabulous Grandchildren. My mother told me having grandbabies is utterly amazing because you feel the same love you felt for your own children without the same weight of responsibility.

I may do a few more Friday Missions, to see if more people would still like to participate.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Mission

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Okay, people. Let’s give this another run and see if you all still like it.

Something wonderful happened to one of my children last week. A friend of our family came over to cut wood for his fireplace from a fallen tree in our pasture. Farmer Boy conned this friend into letting him help with every step of the process. I’m certain it took MORE time and effort to have the help of an eight-year-old. But he’s the kind of person who makes time for others.

A few days later, Farmer Boy got a card in the mail. MAIL! Remember how terrific that felt when you were eight?

Here is what the card said:

Farmer Boy,

Thank you so much for helping me cut wood this past weekend. You were a big help! Your parents must be very proud to have such a smart young man with such a strong work ethic. I think you are a fast learner with good teachers. I thought you might need some “gas money” for your tractor.

Thanks again,
Your friend

There were five dollars in it! I thought Farmer Boy couldn’t be more excited than he was when he (A) got mail and then (B) five bucks fell out when he opened it.

But then he read the words. And I watched him physically swell. I swear to you that child became a foot taller after he read that note.

Can you think of a child who is special to you? Is there a way you could give that child encouragement, to help that child feel special and amazing?

Let me know what kinds of projects and ideas you take on! Ready, set, GO!

Friday Mission Follow-up

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What a great response to last week’s Fun Friday Mission!

Thank you for not making me a jerk and being thoughtful and awesome to your friends.

Here are some excerpts from comments and emails I received:

From Meg:
What a great friend! Thinking right now about whose day I can brighten this weekend.

From Lisa:
Mission accepted and completed. A dear friend of mine had a very rough weekend. Homemade chocolate chip banana bread to the rescue!

From Stephanie:
My friend Teresa is like the work friend you described – she always finds the time to send me a note on a card handmade by her – I just put the stamp on an “I miss you and thanks for all the cards” card.

From Samm:
My best friend, my soulsister, mentioned last week that she needed a coin purse. So today, I started to make one for her, in her favorite cranberry colour. I’ll line it tonight, and because she and I both love buttons, I’ll find just the right buttons for the closure. Best friends who are like sisters, as MarieAnge is, are special.

From Kendra via Twitter:
Also participating in @closeenoughblog hooker challenge. Seriously it’s a lot more fun that what I’m saying! Go check it out!

Kendra gets double hooker points because she then added this to the comments:
My friend/old roommate just had a baby and so my plan is to send her a sweet little dress for her sweet baby girl but also throw in a bunch of pampering stuff for her. Since I know just having a baby is trying on your beauty! Hopefully this makes her day!

And from my city hooker buddy:
You are the sweetest! I was reading this to hubby and got all choked up remembering those sweet memories (don’t forget lunchessssss at the Beacon and their COFFEE!). I have to admit, every time I hear “More Human Than Human” I immediately go back to driving to lunch with you and Stephy while we totally rocked out.

I would like to make this a regular thing – Friday Missions. What do you think? I have an idea brewing for next week from another vein of “somebody did something nice, let’s copy them.” Would you guys participate if I assign another mission?

Also – you’re all hookers.