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About Us

Anyone who knows about local eating and the impact of livestock on the environment has heard of Joel Salatin. His farm is named PolyFace Farm and was my inspiration for this page.






















I am raising 3 little girls on as a local a diet of food and lifestyle as possible. I hope not to raise inexperienced, or uneducated children. On the contrary, I believe that you should bloom where you grow and hence I have alot of work ahead of me to provide a well rounded childhood for my girlicues.


We are 6. Poppa Pauley and Mama Pauley with the 3 little girlicues: Peach (6), Buttercup (4), and Sparrow (2). Also still living at home is Blue (18). We live in a tiny house in a tiny town with a tiny yard, but we are happy. Mama Pauley (that's me) tries very hard to eat local and organically, teach the girlicues at home and have fun without spending money. I hope to share my ideas and those from other blogs. There are some fascinating people out there who really inspire me to try new things and be as self sufficient as possible. I hope you will join me on my adventure!



Introduction


I caught the giggles. It wasn't my fault, really! My oldest daughter was plugged into the computer with headphones so we couldn't hear her playing her PBS games, when all of a sudden, the silence was broken. A very loud rendition of "Buffalo Cows, Won't You Come Out Tonight" was being sung, without back up, as my mother would have said. I cracked up! My husband thought I was nuts and realised that a capella versions of kids' songs could get very annoying very fast.

For me, it was a memory from my youth. We had a big brown rocker recliner in the corner by the stereo and in order to listen with the headphones on, you had to turn the chair into the wall. It made a little cubby where you were on an island alone with your music. Of course, I would close my eyes and relax and sing. My mom got such melodies as Mama Mia, Blue Suede Shoes and House of the Rising Sun. I was never very good at remembering words so there were a lot of lalalas and hmmmmmms. My mom didn't really see it as humourous either. But you know it is..... well, when you don't have to listen to it day after day. =)

The giggles not only arose from my own memories, but from the sheer joy of recognising innocence. When little girls sing and don't notice the world, they really don't notice the world. It isn't to draw attention or make an impression on others, it is simply an expression of what they are feeling at the time. How long does that stage in life really last anyway; where you are transported on stage with Dolly Parton just by curling up in a chair with a set of headphones? I think it is innocent bliss and it makes me very happy that my little girls still have it, for however short a period of time that is left.

The world is full of people trying to raise children as fast as they can. It is a race to the finish line. Why are we so determined to get that baby weaned, potty trained, into pre-school...? Don't we know that these moments slip away so quickly and they never come back? Why don't we notice now instead of when it is too late? God has designed us to progress and grow and find independence at certain times of our lives and we, as parents, have got to stop listening to society or our own self interests, and start waiting for our children's readiness. My little boy (Blue, who is now 18) was 10 when he really clicked with reading. My 6 year old, Peach, picked it up this year like it was no difficulty at all. Was my 10 year wrong to learn so late? Were we doing everything the same, or was there something different and  better with what we did with Peach? No. Children just develop differently and at their own pace. We don't set it and we don't control it. Only God knows of what we are capable and when. That is a hard lesson to learn for ourselves and I fear, a harder one to learn as parents. If your cousin George was potty trained at 6 months of age as his mother claimed, it is still okay that your little Julia didn't train until she was 2 and 1/2. Not every child is the same and by golly, they will let you know if they aren't.

Also, dressing our little ones like they are much older, doesn't speed up the process. So, perhaps you should put away the mini skirt for the 5 year old and reaffirm her youth and innocence with a practical (it can get muddy and covered in yoghurt), modest dress. So many parents I know say, "Oh, but Susy picked that out herself", or "But Hannah Montana is what all the kids are wearing right now". Now, please tell me, why are these reasons? Aren't parents supposed to make the final decision? Aren't we supposed to be molding those little minds into God's image? I think so many parents have been convinced that they shouldn't buck the system, or what is widely acceptable, but I think it is time to start!

Take that exciting news of a new baby and let it permeate your life (even if you are raising a 16 year old). Keep strong your hold on education, protection and guidance. Show your love by promoting your sheep to follow The Shepard, instead of the flock. Start them young, keep a stronghold on your faith, only allow what you know to be safe and healthy to be around your young. Use this philosophy for food choices, education and social life and you will see your children flourish.

I intend to continue reaffirming parental choice with the Lord's direction. I write with intention - not to change relationships or necessarily change people's perspectives, but instead to encourage those who struggle, including myself. This blog will delve into homeschooling, local and organic foods (recipes) and social education. I hope you will join me and add your comments. I am excited to meet you and hear your opinions too!