Small Town Living - Pros and Cons

I've never lived outside of Wells County Indiana.  I grew up on a farm about 20 miles from where I live now. 


Bluffton is a town of about 10,000 people.  I suppose our town is very similar to other towns our size.   And, I suppose people have mixed feelings about living in a small town.  You may not like the feeling of living in a fishbowl.  


You could make a list of pros and cons regarding small town living. Each side could get pretty long.  However, in my opinion, the one thing that would go to the top of the list on the "pros" side would be community support. 


It doesn't matter if it is an illness, injury, or death; you can see "pray for" signs throughout the county.  The name on the sign could be a family member, neighbor,  or a complete stranger.     


Unfortunately, there have been too many opportunities to see that in our community lately.  


The death of a three month old baby due to SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) a neo-muscular genetic disorder. 

Then there was the tragic shooting of a 4-year old little boy who was fishing for catfish one night with his daddy.  

And the death of a 20-year old middle school football coach in a single car accident.  

Each circumstance is different.  But the outcome is the same.  A community stepping out and holding up those that are hurting.  Doing whatever they can to ease their burden. 

I may not like that "I live in a fishbowl" feeling, but if I had to move from Bluffton, I think I would look for another small town....just like Bluffton.  

THE SPLASH PAD!!

Today I was able to take the 4-C's to the splash pad. 


Now, let me introduce them to you, C by C!  


This is Cooper.  He is 8 years old.  He is officially a third grader now.  

This is Cayah, Cooper's sister.  She is 5 1/2 years old and will be going to kindergarten in August.  

Collin entered the world seven weeks after his cousin Cayah.  He will also be attending kindergarten this year. 

And this is Charli, Collin's sister.  She is 2 1/2 years old.  Hopefully, she will stay little for awhile.  

They ab-C-lutely bring joy to my heart!  I tell everyone they make my heart smile!  I am so blessed!!!

Oh my, it's July!!

I can't believe it is July already!  It seems like yesterday was the first of June and school was letting out for the summer.  The weather has been gorgeous, great for outdoor activities. Bill and I have been riding our bikes quite often.  Sunday we took them to Fort Wayne and rode the River Greenway there from New Haven, downtown to Headwaters Park.  It was a nice ride and I'm sure we will take our bikes again and ride a different part of the trail. 


Yesterday was the 4th of July.  Bill played golf in the morning, I frosted cupcakes and baked some cookies that later were turned into ice cream sandwiches.  

Late afternoon, my daughter Ashlee and her two children came over for a cookout.  She brought her boyfriend Casey and his two children along with her.  After dinner Ashlee and Casey beat Bill and me in a game of bean bag toss, and I beat Ashlee 2 out of 3 games of Wii Bowling.  The kids played with water shooters and stayed busy outside.  

Later in the evening we all went over to some friends' house to watch Bluffton's firework display from their front yard.  I was happy that my daughter Brooke and her family were able to join us for that part of the evening.  Watching the fireworks from the Coleman's front yard is becoming a tradition for us.  The fireworks were great and the kids had a wonderful time.  At first, Charli, my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter, watched the fireworks with her hands over her ears - just too cute! (I really should learn to take pictures of the things that happen in my life so I could share them with you.)      

There are some things I'd like to do with the grandkids this summer, so I guess I had better get busy and plan them or summer will be gone.  Some friends of ours have a pool and I want to take them over there for an afternoon of swimming, and I want to take them to the splash pad.  That's something I can do even if I don't have a lot of time - even if I have an extra hour that is plenty of time.  Maybe tomorrow I can do that.  The kids will love it! 

I'll be sure and take my camera - the above photo is from last year.

CAUTION Comfort Zone Ahead

I signed up to take a class at the Wells County Public Library - Polymer Clay Jewelry Class.  I don't do things like this very often.  Even though I would love to.  Why?  Because, to me, it means stepping outside my comfort zone.  Sadly, I've missed a lot of things I wish I hadn't due to my confining comfort zone.


Everyone has a comfort zone.  Some are very narrow and small in size.  Others are almost without boundaries.  If you would ask me to define mine, I would say it is "the familiar".  I am most comfortable with what I am familiar.  Familiar people, familiar food, familiar places, etc. 


As a REALTOR, I am probably perceived as an extrovert.  It's my job.  I'm comfortable with it.  I'm good at it.  Even though, at times, I work with people I am not familiar with, I am doing something I'm very familiar with.  With that said, I am a borderline introvert/extrovert.  Which probably would surprise those that know me well.  Those that know me well are those "familiar people" that are within my comfort zone.  They would most likely describe me as an extrovert.  With them, I am always laughing, joking, sarcastic...myself.  If I am going to a function where I know there will be a lot of familiar faces, I won't stress over having to attend.  I will go willingly, knowing I will have a good time.


However, my introverted side is present when I am surrounded by unfamiliar people.  It's then that I have to stretch the boundaries of my comfort zone.   

Extending my hand and introducing myself to a stranger is something I've had to force myself to do through the years.  Learning to smile at people as I pass them in the grocery or other public spaces is necessary so I don't appear to be a snob.  Years ago, I attended a women's retreat where I learned that the  majority of the women in attendance thought of me as stuck-up.  A snob.  WOW!  That was my wakeup call and I decided I had to stretch the boundaries of my comfort zone. 


So, unless I can recruit a friend to attend the polymer clay class with me, I will have butterflies in my stomach before I get there.  I will walk in with a smile (a nervous one) on my face.  I will chose a seat next to a friendly looking face.  I will say "Hi, I'm Dianna McBride".  Then, maybe, I can relax and enjoy myself.  


On the other hand, this is a small town and chances are good that I will know someone there.