It's been quite a while since I have written anything on this blog and that's because so much has changed since my last post! Let's get caught up...
My divorce from Jeff Millar was final in January of 2015 and I spent most of 2015 adjusting to life as a single mom. I vowed never to get married again, but God (or whatever higher being you believe in) works in mysterious ways.
I met a very nice man just before my divorce to Jeff was finalized and spent most of 2015 blowing him off because I wasn't interested in getting involved in another relationship any time soon. I guess you could say "persistence pays off" because by September 2015, we were "officially" a couple. Mike, met my daughter, Lorelai, in October of 2015 and by December 2015, Lorelai was asking when Mike would be moving in. Mike moved into my house the first weekend of March 2016 and we were married in July 2016; I did not take Mike's last name...only because I am tired of changing my name back and forth. There are some days where I get mail for Mary Stibitz, Mary Millar, and Mary Keyes; I didn't want to add a Mary Bergeron to the mix!
Mike, Lorelai, and myself are all happy with our new "blended" family and we cannot wait until life slows down so we can find our "new normal."
In December of 2015, I completed my Permaculture Design Certificate Program through Oregon State University and "MI - Permaculture" is OFFICIALLY a business! I am continuing to develop workshops and pitch my ideas to local school districts, but being a full-time mom, wife, and employee leaves little time for promotional activities. So, I do what I can and I try to network as much as I can. I have also had to "rebuild" my farm. The focus in 2016 has been on establishing a chicken flock {which are just NOW beginning to lay eggs}, expanding my perennial plantings, cleaning up the yard, and selectively weeding to promote the growth and expansion of naturally growing beneficial plants.
DECEMBER 2016 MARKS THE 150TH YEAR OF OUR FARM! I am preparing the paperwork to submit to the State of Michigan in order to receive our Sesquicentennial Farm plaque.