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.  

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.   

It Won't Be Long....

until the sun will be shining and people will want to be outside doing something.  I don't care if I'm just sitting on my deck, I can't wait to have the sun warming my skin.  My husband will be playing golf.  


There are two golf courses here in Wells county.  Timber Ridge Golf Course is located at 2330 E 250 North, and Green Valley Golf Course is located at 2635 E 150 North.  If Bill plays in Wells county you will most likely find him at Timber Ridge.  HOWEVER, I would venture to say that there are at least 100 golf courses within a 50 mile radius of Bluffton, and he will visit quite a lot of them over the course of the golfing season. If you like to play golf you can probably find a course within 15 - 20 minutes of your home.  


One place that will be a hub of activity is the River Greenway.  It is accessible all year long to pedestrians and bicycles, but only the true fitness enthusiasts use it in the winter months.  When nice weather arrives you will see all the fair weather people (which I am a part of) walking or riding their bikes.  The Greenway begins at Wabash River Park (located just a block north of City Hall) and goes out to  Ouabache State Park.  The Greenway is a great way to commune with nature while getting some exercise.

Ouabache State Park is another great place, and Bluffton is very fortunate to have it close by.  For family fun you can't beat a day at the park.   You can picnic, hike, fish, swim, camp, or much more.  


To see all the wonderful parks that Bluffton offers, click on this link for the Bluffton Parks and Recreation's page.  Bluffton has a park for just about everyone....even the dogs!  For me, I love to take my grandchildren to the Splash Pad.  

Whatever you like to do outdoors, I'm sure Bluffton/Wells County has something for you!! 


Come on Mr. Sun, We're waiting for you!!!! 

This is my first Blog post!

What am I doing here?


Today I had continuing ed.    


I'm a REALTOR.  Every two years REALTORS have to take 16 hours of continuing education before being able to renew our Real Estate licenses.  Brokers renew their licenses in the odd years, and Agents renew their's in the even years.  I have a Broker's license so this is my year. 

This year's classes were held at the Bluffton Wells County Public Library.  What a great facility we have in our library (I'll save more info about the Library for another post).  There were about 40 real estate professionals in attendance.  I was fortunate that I only needed four additional hours to complete the 16 hour requirement.  I attended yesterday from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. and then again today for the same hours.  Yesterday's class was on Indiana License Law - very boring.  Today's topic was Social Media.....so here I am!  Socializing through media.  


The instructor was Allie Hostetter from IAR (Indiana Association of REALTORS).  She is young and very tech savvy. I don't know how many of the participants in the class will do anything with the things she talked about.  She talked about Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other things,  I have a Facebook page for myself and a business page for our real estate firm Facebook/McBride & Associates Real Estate. Allie also talked about blogging. I thought it sounded like fun and one thing that I could have in addition to our Facebook page.  So, here I am.    


From time to time I will come here and talk about the things that are going on in my life and our community.  So, please stop by and visit me!